Supervision
As a doctoral candidate, you will receive individual and regular supervision by at least two actively functioning supervisors throughout the programme.
How to find a Supervisor
Doctorals students at our faculty typically find their main supervisor by applying either to
- open research positions at a chair/department or
- a CGS scholarship
1.) Open research positions are announced both via Stellenwerk or on the chair/department's homepages throughout the year. These are mostly 75% TV-L 13 positions and include some teaching load. Doctoral students are covered by social security. In case you are interested in a research position at a certain chair/department, please have a look for open positions on the chair's/department's homepage or contact the department's office.The CGS ist not involved in this hiring process.
2.) With the CGS scholarships, the WiSo Faculty supports outstanding graduates. Scholarship holders are assigned to the faculty’s four Key Research Initiatives (KRIs) and find their supervisor during the applications process. Hence, applicants are not required to contact potential supervisors before. The link between scholarships to the KRIs is intended to foster excellent scientific education in the core research fields of the faculty and to additionally strengthen these areas. CGS scholarships are endowed with €1515 per month for three years that are tax-free plus a research budget of €3000. Typically scholarship holders can take up an additional research assistant job if they want. The application period for the scholarships is December 15ths - March 15ths every year and the process is organized as outlined here or here.
Who can be Appointed as Supervisors?
- At least one of the supervisors must be a faculty member
- The group of persons who can serve as a supervisor is defined in §6 of the doctoral regulations
- The supervisors cannot have close personal relations with the PhD candidate
Sign your Supervision Agreement within your First Year
Within 12 months after admission as a doctoral student, a supervision agreement has to be signed by the doctoral student and by all supervisors. This document must be uploaded electronically via Docfile. Please inform Astrid Greuel (central doctoral office) about the upload.
- Supervision Agreement Form (EN)
If you need to Change Supervisors
If you want to change your first or second supervisor after admission, please send the filled and and signed form below to the Central doctoral office.
Problematic Supervisory Relationship
You should talk to your supervisor about how the supervision should be and how it will work. It is important that you do not let a poor supervisory relationship continue. If any problems arise, you should address them as soon as possible.
If you need help:
Addressing the problems with your supervisor can occasionally be difficult. If you need help, contact the Ombudsman who will follow up the matter and look for the best solution to the problem.