Support and supervision
Our mission is to guide our graduates to become skilled academics who are equipped for a wide range of professions. In order to achieve this we do our utmost to ensure that our PhD candidates receive support and supervision of the highest quality. The Donders Graduate School together with our Management Team carefully monitors the support and supervision our PhD candidates receive. As a PhD candidate at the Donders Institute you will be part of one or more dedicated research groups and are supervised by your own supervision team.
Thesis guidelines
These Donders PhD thesis guidelines aim to provide a comprehensive overview of all requirements related to the PhD thesis, and as such applies to all PhD candidates within the Donders Graduate School.
Supervision guidelines
We recognise the importance of a good collaboration between the PhD candidate and their supervision team. To encourage optimal supervision we have developed PhD Supervision Guidelines (pdf, 153 kB). Every PhD candidate within the Donders Graduate School will be supervised by a supervision team that is selected to be complementary.
- At all times, the supervision team should consist of a minimum of two supervisors, the promotor and a co-supervisor.
- The co-supervisor should have a PhD degree.
- Ideally the two supervisors will be part of your supervision team throughout the whole PhD project, however this is not necessary. If the contract of one of the supervisors ends during the PhD candidate’s project, a smooth transition to another supervisor is desired.
We strongly advise our PhD candidates and their supervisors to schedule regular meetings.
What to expect from your supervision team members:
We would like to emphasize that all members of the supervision team should be involved in your project. Please invite all members during your annual Checkpoint meetings; discuss what needs to be changed in your TSP and what is necessary for you to finish your PhD project in time.
Other types of support
Graduate School Coordinator
One of the tasks of the dgcncoordinator [at] dondeers.ru.nl (Graduate School Coordinator) is to give support to PhD candidates who would like to know more about their training opportunities or with regard to other PhD project-related issues. Furthermore, the Graduate School Coordinator could also have the role of a confidant.
Donders confidential contact persons for research and social integrity
Donders Institute has appointed its own confidential contact persons for research and social integrity. You will find them on our contact page.
PhD Council
A selection of PhD candidates form a PhD council. They are highly active by organising several activities for PhD candidates and can be found to act on their behalf in PhD-related issues.
PhD Buddy
International PhD candidates at the Donders Graduate School are encouraged to sign up for a PhD buddy. The PhD buddy can help you find your way in the Netherlands, Nijmegen, at the university etc. Also, our more advanced PhD candidates could sign up to become a buddy. Questions? You can contact us via email: buddysystem [at] donders.ru.nl (buddysystem[at]donders[dot]ru[dot]nl).
Department of Occupational Health & Safety and Environmental Service
For health-related questions, please find your way to the AMD. They have occupational social workers who aim to offer low-threshold guidance to all employees. If you experience stress-related symptoms or other health-related problems, please find them for an appointment.
Global Lounge
The Radboud University's Global Lounge offers a place for lounging and working and organises events and activities for the international community. In the future they are hoping to relaunch their buddy programmes for PhD candidates.