Appointment of additional supervisors, change of supervisor, or other changes in the supervisory relationship are decided by the faculty. The application must be submitted jointly by the candidate and the relevant supervisor(s). The application should be addressed to the faculty but sent via the department for recommendation or non-recommendation. Note that the main rule is two supervisors per candidate (one principal supervisor and one co-supervisor).
If a PhD candidate or supervisor finds that the other party is not fulfilling their obligations as specified in the PhD regulations, the candidate or supervisor may request to be released from the supervision agreement.
Rights and obligations
For the principal supervisor
The principal supervisor has the main responsibility for supervising the PhD candidate.
As a principal supervisor, you are responsible for:
- Contributing actively to the development of the candidate’s research project and helping them choose relevant courses in the training component
- Being responsible for the project’s expenses
- Providing high-quality academic supervision, including advice on research questions and methods, and offering continuous feedback on written work (content, structure, style, and documentation)
- Facilitating the candidate’s completion of the dissertation within the standard timeframe (3 years)
- Providing constructive feedback within a reasonable time, at least three times per semester
- Assisting the candidate in identifying relevant literature and data sources
- Introducing the candidate to the department, the academic environment, and relevant networks, including international ones, and encouraging participation in seminars and activities
- Informing the candidate about the PhD coordinator and where to raise challenges related to the doctoral education
- Clarifying the need for an IPR agreement at the start of the project, together with the head of department
- Ensuring risk assessment and necessary safety training for laboratory and fieldwork
- Ensuring that the project follows ethical guidelines and guiding the candidate in research ethics
- Ensuring that research data is stored systematically and securely
- Following up on and addressing any issues related to research ethics, including plagiarism
- Organizing and taking part in the mid-term evaluation, and afterwards agreeing with the candidate on a realistic progress plan
- Contributing to the annual progress reporting (deadline: 1 November)
- Ensuring continuity in supervision in the event of absence exceeding four weeks
- Encouraging dissemination of the candidate’s work and participation in conferences and courses
- Supporting the development of the candidate’s general and transferable skills
- Ensuring that compulsory work does not exceed 25% of the total workload
For PhD candidates
As a PhD candidate, you are responsible for:
- Conducting your research efficiently, with high quality and within the agreed timeframe
- Participating in relevant PhD activities and courses agreed upon with the principal supervisor
- Agreeing on and following a fixed plan for regular contact with the principal supervisor (normally monthly), as well as submitting written work
- Submitting written work by agreed deadlines, in accordance with regulations
- Presenting your work and findings at seminars and conferences when recommended
- Adhering to applicable research ethics standards
- Submitting an annual progress report (deadline: 1 November)
- Participating in the mid-term evaluation
- Keeping track of completed courses and activities in the training component
- Informing the principal supervisor about factors that may affect supervision or progress
- Raising any challenges with the principal supervisor, head of department, or PhD coordinator, and being able to request a change of supervisor if needed
- Consulting co-supervisors when necessary or recommended
- Informing any external collaborators about circumstances affecting the project
- Following procedures for leave or interruption and reporting absences
- Clarifying questions regarding finances and funding with the principal supervisor and any funding partners
- Registering work hours related to compulsory duties