Responsibilities of a PhD Student

This page contains a set of guidelines for the realization of a doctorate. These best practices are complementary to the Doctorate Framework Regulations of the Biomedical Sciences Group. In case of controversies or discussions we kindly refer to our regulations.

It is vital to realize that, although we provide a framework of supportive structures, it is the PhD student who is the driving force of his/her doctorate. This implies a responsibility for the timely planning of the successive administrative steps of the doctorate and for meeting the respective deadlines of the progress reports. The requirements listed below will help in the realization of the doctorate.

We expect every PhD student to:

1. Learn to independently carry out research in an effective and ethical way.
2. Agree with their (co-)promoter on a time schedule, with an outline of the mandatory deadlines and of the frequency of meetings where progress is discussed.
3. Include within this time schedule annual assessments about the following points: working attitude, overall progress of the project, expectations, …
4. Discuss with the (co-)promoter as the work proceeds whether the initial research goals and the preliminary time schedule needs adjusting to ensure timely completion of the doctorate.
5. Attend to all the activities mandatory in the doctoral school programme you are affiliated with.
6. Fulfill all the requirements of the Truncus Communis :
   1. write at least one scientific article
   2. present one literature seminar
   3. attend at least one international meeting with active participation (oral presentation or a poster presentation)
   4. attend at least 15 seminars or lectures by guest speakers
   5. provide yearly progress reports (provisional doctoral plan in year 1, research seminar in year 2, final doctoral plan in year 3).
   6. keep a record of their doctoral training in the E-Portfolio.
7. Consult the online step-by-step manual  for all mandatory (administrative) requirements in the doctoral training on a regularly basis.
8. Follow up on the Skills Development calendar  and make sure to attend at least all mandatory topics (Ethics in Science, Notebook Keeping and HSE in the Laboratory (if you work in a lab environment)). Inform their promoter about the chosen topics.
9. Keep a record of the doctoral training activities in the e-portfolio, starting in the first year of the doctorate. Share with their promoter so s/he can follow up on the progress.
10. Agree with the promoter on active participation in events regarding your field of research such as congresses, meetings or lectures, to present results and to establish a network of relevant peers.
11. Fulfill and inform their promoter of all necessary administrative steps at the start of the PhD: application at the International Office (in case of an international degree), registration at the doctoral school and yearly enrollment at the Registrar’s Office.
12. Inform their (co-)promoter or a member of the Doctoral School office (link contact page) of any problems which may interfere with the progress. If necessary contact the ombudsperson.
13. Inform their contact person of the Doctoral School team if any changes occur in the initial set-up of your project or of the initial Thesis Advisory Committee.