Supervision

High-quality supervision of doctoral candidates constitutes an integral part of supporting early-career researchers at the University of Bern, and ensuring quality in research. The scope and quality of the supervision play an important role in the quality and duration of a doctorate. These factors have a direct impact on the doctoral candidates’ well-being and level of satisfaction, as well as on their personal and professional development.

Dual control principle

The University of Bern applies the dual control principle: Every doctoral candidate is supervised by at least two supervisors. The rules for supervision are stipulated in the regulations governing doctoral studies of the respective faculties.

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.

Support at various levels

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.