The PhD supervisor is responsible for the supervision of the doctoral work. This entails a number of expectations (see 'Charter for PhD students' and the 'Integrity charter for PhD students and supervisors affiliated with the University of Antwerp' in appendix 1 of the general PhD regulations).
On the one hand, the PhD supervisor arranges the initial reception of their PhD researcher(s) within the research group, facilitates contact with the members of the individual PhD commission, informs the PhD researcher about the principles of scientific integrity and - if applicable - the steps that need to be taken in the context of confidentiality and intellectual property rights, evaluates the PhD research on a regular basis, supports the PhD researcher(s) as far as possible in valorising their research work through publications, etc.
On the other hand, the PhD supervisor should also be aware of the faculty/departmental PhD regulations and PhD administration (see PhD procedure). All PhD researchers must enrol each academic year as a PhD student at our university (re-enrolment is possible via the SisA self-service student account). The PhD supervisor is also expected to discuss the PhD researchers' training needs with them, based on the competence profile and the faculty PhD regulations, and to provide advice on how these needs can be met within the framework of the doctoral study programme. Which competences should be further developed and which activities can help with this?
Each academic year, PhD researchers reports on their progress in the doctoral study programme, via SisA. The submitted activities are assessed by a peer review commission consisting of members from the faculty/department concerned. At the end of the PhD, the compulsory doctoral study programme must be completed before the public PhD defence can take place (see Preparing the defence). Within the framework of the doctoral study programme, a variety of trainings are offered on different levels (training offer Antwerp Doctoral School - free of charge for PhD researchers), training offer UAntwerp, interuniversity training offer), but other types of activities can also receive points, e.g. educational tasks and (academic) services, presentations at conferences, membership in boards or commissions, publications, research stays, organisation of an event, etc. This mix of formal and informal learning results in a very flexible doctoral study programme at UAntwerp. The PhD researchers are encouraged to sharpen research competences as well as transferable skills.
(Bi-)annually, PhD researchers must also report on their PhD research, via ePhD in SisA. The process is managed by the faculties themselves.
Moreover, from academic year 2022-2023 onwards, starting PhD researchers are required to complete the online interuniversity training 'Mind the GAP' on ethics and research integrity. More experienced PhD researchers and other researchers are also strongly encouraged to complete this training.
During the PhD, support is offered to the PhD researchers regarding (mental) wellbeing, science communication, financial support, career counseling and conflict mediation via the ombudsperson.
The Antwerp Doctoral School (ADS) sends out a montly newsletter to all enrolled PhD researchers with news and information on upcoming events, trainings or interuniversity initiatives. Events organised by UAntwerp which are relevant for PhD researchers in a number of disciplines can be forwarded to doctoralschool@uantwerpen.be. The Department of Research, Innovation and Valorisation (RIVA) also sends out a newsletter each month.
Furthermore, the doctoral school organises the ADS Doctoral School twice a year. This event is open for all UAntwerp PhD researchers, provides information on procedures and offers interesting (parallel) sessions on a variety of topics. It also provides an opportunity to meet fellow PhD researchers outside of their own faculty/department. All PhD researchers are expected to participate at least once during their first year. The parallel sessions can also be of interest for more experienced PhD researchers.
Within the framework of (inter)national collaboration, a joint PhD with another university can add value to the PhD research. UAntwerp can, in principle, set up a collaboration wiith any university in the world (see requirements and procedure). Moreover, the YUFE offer can also be interesting for your PhD researchers. For international PhD researchers, the Antwerp Doctoral School offers (informal) activities via MONDO, aiming to create a social network for them. The activities are developed in collaboration with the International Student Office and the International Staff Office at UAntwerp.
Within UAntwerp there are different contacts for questions about, or aspects relating to, PhDs. See our contact page for more information.
Finally, you can find an overview of the reporting and support channels regarding psychosocial well-being on Pintra.