Training and supervision plan (TSP)
Agreements about supervision, research and education are registered in the Training and supervision plan (TSP), that is uploaded to VU Hora Finita. Each PhD candidate develops with the supervisors an individual TSP with the aim of becoming a well-qualified and independent researcher. The TSP is submitted to the PhD coordinator for approval.
PhD progress (timeline of progress meetings)
Progress meetings between the PhD candidate and supervisors take place frequently. The goal of these meetings is primarily to evaluate and develop the research. In addition, other issues should be discussed, like training, teaching, and conferences.
Every year, the PhD candidate and supervisors evaluate the quality of their work and performance, and discuss future plans. In addition, there will be a go/no-go meeting during the initial contract, in which it will be decided whether the PhD trajectory will be continued. The meetings help the PhD candidate to learn to express what is needed for a successful PhD trajectory, and what works empowering. It helps the supervisors to get a clear picture of the coaching / mentoring that the PhD candidate needs.
In addition, three meetings of the PhD candidate with the PhD candidate advisor on the personal experience and well-being of the PhD candidate should take place, at start, mid and end of the PhD trajectory. The PhD candidate advisor should be regarded as an independent counselor.
Thesis composition
Guidelines for dissertation composition and scope can be found here.
Plagiarism scan
To create awareness for research integrity, all PhD candidates starting from 1 September 2022 are required to submit one written product before the end of the second year of the PhD track to a plagiarism check. This can be done with the iThenticate tool. In addition, all PhD candidates, who started before September 2022 can voluntarily use the tool up to once a year. A Quick Starting Guide and FAQ page can be found in the University Library's LibGuide. The PhD candidate discusses the results of the plagiarism scan with their supervisor(s); based on this discussion a report is produced. The results are uploaded in Hora Finita.
Teaching time
Teaching is a skill that PhD candidates need to acquire as academics, and should preferably be an integral part of PhD trajectories. Teaching can have a positive effect on their academic training and future career steps. However, it is important to keep teaching time limited, to warrant timely completion of the doctoral programme.
The teaching includes, but is not limited to, giving tutorials, practical classes, lectures, and providing support in writing theses and doing research to Bachelor and Master students. Faculty guidelines for the time and activities dedicated to teaching for the different categories of PhD candidates are given here.
Training and courses
The main mission of the Doctoral Schools of the Faculty of Science is to deepen the knowledge and skills of PhD candidates, enabling them to become fully qualified scientists with an excellent perspective for a career of their choice. The course programme of the Doctoral Schools of the Faculty of Science therefore provides a variety of activities enhancing the academic, professional and general skills of PhD candidates. In consultation with the supervisor, the PhD candidate must set down the content of the training programme, tailored to the individual needs, and consisting of at least 30 EC in the training and supervision plan (TSP) (1 EC (study credit) is equivalent to 28 hours of work). A complete list of PhD courses at the VU can be found here.
There are four different types of course activities, see PhD Education Guidelines for more details:
A. Mandatory components (minimum 4 EC).
- The course Research Integrity, taken preferably in the first and no later than in the second year.
- A visit to at least one international conference
B. General skills (together with C: minimum 8, maximum 20 EC). This may include 6EC related to teaching, for which a reflection report on the teaching activity, written by the PhD candidate, needs to be approved by the PhD coordinator.
C. Scientific specialization (together with B: minimum 8, maximum 20 EC)
D. Research-related activities (minimum 8, maximum 20 EC)
Most courses are provided by the graduate schools associated with the departments of the Faculty of Science, and the national research schools associated with the departments.