Supervision and mentoring

A Thesis Advisory Committee (TAC) complements the day-to-day supervision of the PhD research project by the leading scientist. The main purpose of the TAC is to monitor, guide, and evaluate the progress throughout the research project of the doctoral researcher. It also aims at supporting the PhD researcher in terms of personal development, as for e.g. assisting him/her with career planning and networking.

Each TAC is composed of the scientific advisor, the doctoral supervisor (a university professor), an expert mentor from the field of the student's thesis (which may be the advisor or the doctoral supervisor), and a second mentor from a complementary field of research. The TAC is to be formed by the doctoral researcher in cooperation with his/her supervisor no later than 6 months after joining the research school.

The first meeting of the TAC should take place within 6 months after joining the research school and in the sequence of the 1^st PhD seminar presented by the doctoral researcher. In this 1^st meeting, the TAC discusses the scope of the project, the detailed work plan, feasibility, associated risks and alternatives based on a work plan written by the doctoral researcher and his/her presentation at the PhD seminar. It is also advisable to sign the supervision agreement by all involved parties at this occasion. A copy of the written work plan, as well as a summary of the outcome of each TAC meeting, are to be submitted to the school coordinator by the PhD researcher. Follow-up meetings to discuss the main issues of the project have to be organized by the PhD researcher, and should take place every year.