Supervise a PhD student

Participate in the preparation of the PhD student’s Individual Study Plan (ISP) and ensure that the study plan clearly specifies:

• the research project to be carried out by the PhD student
• the courses to be included in the programme
• a description of the research programme, including:
  • objectives
  • background
  • any preliminary results
  • planned studies/investigations
  • the scientific significance of the project

Individual study plans

Ensure that the PhD student acquires the knowledge and skills specified in the Individual Study Plan, and to:

• enable the PhD student to participate in relevant PhD courses
• encourage participation in symposia, seminars, and conferences of relevance to the PhD education

Ensure that the PhD student has access to the resources required to carry out the research project at the department, and to:

• promote the PhD student’s integration into the research environment
• facilitate opportunities for professional contacts

Support and encourage the PhD student and be available for supervision and discussion to the extent specified in the Individual Study Plan, and:

• contribute to broadening the PhD student’s professional network within the department, for example by ensuring that the PhD student:
  • presents their project in seminar form at the beginning of the PhD education and thereafter at regular intervals

Ensure that the PhD student is well informed about possible forms of study financing, and to:

• provide information both on funding arrangements at the time of admission and on opportunities that may arise during the course of the PhD education

Monitor that the thesis work progresses at a reasonable pace, and to:

• through continuous and close contact, contribute to ensuring that the work can be completed within the allocated time
• take responsibility for and initiate the half-time review

Half-time review

Assess when the thesis work has reached a sufficient level of quality and scope for public defence, and to:

• take primary responsibility for ensuring that the thesis meets the requirements regarding:
  • scientific quality
  • scope and independence

Degree requirement

Propose a faculty opponent and members of the examination board, and to:

• attend the meeting of the examination board
• participate in the deliberations of the examination board

Notification for the thesis defence

Experience shows that in the vast majority of cases, PhD students complete their research studies with the supervisory constellation that was appointed from the beginning. However, there are a number of situations in which it becomes necessary to appoint a new supervisor.

According to the Higher Education Ordinance, (Chapter 6 Section 28) a PhD student has the right to change supervisor on request. A change of supervisor can also be appropriate for reasons related to the supervisor’s own situation. If all parties are in agreement, a change of supervisor is easy to implement.

Changing supervisors is not always uncomplicated, however, for the PhD studentas well as for the supervisor. A PhD student who requests it has the right to change supervisors, but it is desirable for the (in the event of) underlying conflict or problem to have been addressed and possible alternative solutions to have been considered. If a PhD student wishes to change supervisors, he or she is to contact the Assistant Head of Department for PhD studies at the relevant department.

A PhD student who wishes to change supervisors can propose a new supervisor but does not have the right to demand a certain supervisor. The change of supervisors is to be documented and followed up by the Assistant Head of Department for PhD studies. The matter is to be dealt with promptly so that the PhD studies are not delayed and the PhD
student can continue the thesis work with the same research focus stated at the time of admission.
 

1. The PhD student or the supervisor contacts the Assistant Head of Department for PhD studies to discuss the need for a change of supervisor.
2. A written request for a change of supervisor is submitted to the Assistant Head of Department (the field for the new supervisor can be left empty, if no such person has yet been contacted and appointed).
3. The Assistant Head of Department for PhD studies submits the application for change of supervisor to the PhD Studies Office.
4. The Vice Dean with responsibility for PhD Studies appoints a new supervisor.
5. The PhD Studies Office updates the information in LADOK.
6. The individual study plan is updated by the PhD student together with the
new supervisor and must be approved by the Assistant Head of Department.

A change of supervisor can also be necessary for reasons other than a request from the PhD student, for example if the supervisor changes workplace, retires, goes on sick leave or extended leave of absence. In these cases, too, the Vice Dean with responsibility for PhD Studies decides on appropriate measures and the form for the change of supervisor is to be sent in to the PhD Studies Office.