PhD Supervision Scheme and Individual Career Development
The Advisory Panel (AP) is the central tool for a structured, continuous supervision and support of the doctoral students at QURS.
The panel consists of three AP members: the supervisor, a co-supervisor and a mentor. The mentor should be from another research area. The doctoral student may suggest a co-supervisor and chooses the mentor. The AP and the doctoral student sign a supervision agreement (PDF). This form needs to be submitted in the doctoral studies admission process and to the QURS coordinators( qurs.champp"AT"uni-hamburg.de). The doctoral student may request to change the mentor during the period of the doctoral studies.
Another important tool is the MIN Graduate School Individual Development Plan (IDP) that helps the doctoral students to analyze and monitor their progress. The IDP includes self-assessments as well as action plans tailored to the different developmental phases of a doctorate and comprises therefore three slightly different parts. The doctoral students fill out the MINGS IDP form (PDF) and share it with their supervisor at the beginning of the doctoral project.
The AP and the doctoral student meet at regular intervals throughout the doctoral studies at least once per year, preferable after 5 months, 18 months and 30 months of the doctoral studies. During the meetings the progress made, the remaining work, next goals and milestones, which courses should be taken and the time frame is discussed. Accordingly, the doctoral student and the AP update the IDP regularly during the panel meetings and adjust the plan where necessary. Recommended QURS courses, soft skill courses as well as workshops that the student should visit, are listed.
The further meetings are an opportunity to review past work and discuss further proceedings. They enable the AP members and the doctoral student to discuss milestones of the research project, problems encountered, choices of methods and to assess whether the suggested time schedule is appropriate. Also, the option of consultation of further external scientists or a stay abroad may be suggested.
The student’s interim report, the AP recommendations and the IDP are written down in a short summary (PDF, 2 pages) and have to be signed by all AP members as well as the doctoral student and sent to the QURS coordinators( qurs.champp"AT"uni-hamburg.de). A thesis roadmap, the prospects for finishing the doctorate and career options are discussed in due course.
In case the doctoral student needs a meeting with the mentor, the student can contact the mentor on an individual basis at any time.
