For Supervisors

The task of supervising doctoral candidates is a multifaceted and demanding one that comes with responsibilities. It encompasses not only subject-specific guidance and support of the research, but also includes, e.g., fostering a doctoral candidate’s scientific independence, scientific socialization, career development and personal development.

Good supervision is based on building a professional and positive supervisory relationship that is characterized by mutual trust and respect as well as by open, transparent and constructive communication.

That being said, supervising doctoral candidates is not a standardized process, but an individual and dynamic one. Form and intensity of the supervision depend on numerous factors, in particular, on the personal circumstances of the supervisors and doctoral candidates, on the respective field of study and on the funding of the doctorate.

Courses for PhD supervisors

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The two-day block course “Training for PhD Supervisors” focuses on the goals, challenges, and content of good supervision of doctoral candidates.

Important aspects

Important aspects concerning the supervision of doctoral candidates include:

Subject-specific supervision of a doctoral thesis project

  • Support in finding a topic and narrowing down the scope of the doctoral thesis project
  • Quality assurance – ensuring the scientific validity of the doctoral thesis and compliance with scientific integrity
  • Advising on choice and application of appropriate scientific methods
  • Ensuring access to research equipment, research facilities, data and results, as well as fieldwork required for the doctoral thesis project
  • Support with subject-specific and social integration into the research group

Structuring a doctorate

  • Support with devising a realistic timeline and work schedule for the doctoral thesis and coursework to be fulfilled (definition of important milestones)
  • Monitoring the research process in accordance with the agreed research plan and conducting regular interim meetings to reflect on work progress

Fostering scientific qualifications

  • Supporting the doctoral candidates’ independence through targeted fostering of personal responsibility and self-organization skills
  • Information on suitable qualification opportunities, such as graduate schools / doctoral programs, courses on subject-specific and interdisciplinary skills, conferences or summer schools
  • Support with strategic planning and publications, especially in regard to appropriate journals and, as the case may be, useful co-authorships
  • Promotion of networking with peers and established researchers at national and international level

Communication and availability

  • Open and transparent communication
  • Clarification of mutual expectations, tasks, rights and duties&
  • Regular meetings (incl. status quo assessment and career talks)
  • Sufficient availability and prompt response times to inquiries and submissions
  • Open and constructive feedback
  • Determining procedures in the event of conflicts

Psychosocial support

  • Motivational support, encouraging perseverance and self-confidence
  • Support in the event of setbacks, writer’s block or conflicts
  • Understanding and support in times of stress, with time pressures or with personal issues
  • Referral to suitable support programs: e.g., Universities of Bern Counselling Centre, faculty advice centers, etc.

Doctoral Agreement

The general conditions of a doctorate and the individual modalities of supervision are stipulated transparently and bindingly in the Doctoral Agreement at the start of the doctorate.