Supervision

Doctoral researchers make significant contributions to the output of research institutions and present the next generation of leading scientists. Hence, to ensure a good and transparent supervision process is crucial.

All our doctoral researchers are required to set up a Thesis Advisory Committee. This committee consists of a main supervisor overseeing the research topic that represents the heart of the doctorate, and two or more other senior scientists (e.g. day-to-day supervisors or additional university supervisors). The Thesis Advisory Committee and the doctoral student meet at least twice a year to discuss project progress and adjust the work and time plan, and report this back to the IFU Graduate Program.

Our doctoral students are required to complete and submit a Supervision Agreement (IFU Intranet link). This agreement has been applied successfully at IMK-IFU for some years and since 2014 has been mandatory at universities in Baden-Württemberg (and basically throughout Germany). The agreement documents the responsibilities of the doctoral researchers and the Thesis Advisory Committee and their mutual understanding of the topic, content, structure and time-line of the dissertation project. It thereby helps to structure the doctoral thesis and promotes a transparent supervision process to foster completion of the doctoral project with high quality and in good time. Thus, it ensures a common quality standard for all doctorates at IFU. The IFU Graduate Program is committed to the Doctoral Guidelines of the Helmholtz Association.

For young supervisors just starting to supervise doctoral researchers, we regularly organize supervisor trainings that support them in reflecting on and improving supervision of their doctoral students.

For more information on doctoral supervision at KIT also see this KHYS link.