Individual Training and Supervision Plan - RUB Research School

Individual Training and Supervision Plan
(ITSP)
General Information
Forename, Name ___________________________________________________________
Title of PhD Thesis__________________________________________________________
Section____________________________________________________________________
Thematic Priority (if applicable)_________________________________________________
Start of PhD Thesis__________________________________________________________
Expected Submission Date of PhD Thesis________________________________________
Member of the Research School since___________________________________________
First Supervisor_____________________________________________________________
Second Supervisor__________________________________________________________
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Letter of Acceptance
The aim of the Research School is to support doctoral fellows as excellent independent
scientists and responsible leaders-to-be. Therefore doctoral fellow and first and second
supervisors are asked to agree upon training and supervision strategies documented in the
Individual Training and Supervision Plan. Training and supervision should be arranged in a
way to support the successful completion of the research project in an envisaged time-todegree
of 3-4 years (fulltime) * . The leading concept is always to foster the individual research
qualification of the doctoral fellow and personal competences to make a multitude of
personal career plans possible.
The Individual Training and Supervision Plan is an agreement between the doctoral fellow
and both supervisors providing a mutual understanding of the responsibilities of each party
for training and supervision within the Research School. It outlines the research activities
acknowledged within the structured research training programme, the supervision guidelines
defined in the supervision agreement and documents the outcomes of research, training and
supervision activities in a yearly report. If the doctoral fellow fulfils all requirements of the
Individual Training and Supervision Plan the fellowship of the Research School will be
documented by a Research School Certificate added to the doctorate certificate.
In detail the ITSP includes:
• Letter of Acceptance (page 2)
• Individual Training Plan (pages 3-5)
• Supervision Agreement (page 6)
• Yearly Report (page 8)
• Information about Research School Certificate (page 10)
The acceptance of the Individual Training and Supervision Plan by the doctoral fellow and
both supervisors is mandatory for the official admission to the Research School. By signing
the Individual Training and Supervision Plan the doctoral fellow and both supervisors
acknowledge the qualification and supervision guidelines of the Research School outlined in
this document. The signed first and second pages have to be submitted as Letter of
Acceptance (originals) at least 4 weeks after the official admission to the Research School to
the Central Coordination Office (CCO) of the Research School. The second supervisor must
sign at the latest 6 months after admission.
In case of all alterations concerning the Letter of Acceptance by one of the signing partners
an official statement has to be sent to the Dean of the Research School.
The doctoral fellow and the supervisors are asked to participate in the evaluation of the
Research School. None of the data or comments in this evaluation will be released to anyone
in a way that can associate them with fellows and supervisors personally.
(Place, Date)_____________________ (Doctoral Fellow)_____________________
(First Supervisor)__________________ (Second Supervisor)__________________
* Fulltime means 100% of your working hours/research capacities are dedicated to your PhD project.
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Individual Training Plan
Aims
The Individual Training Plan documents the individual training strategy worked out by the
doctoral fellow and first (and second) supervisors combining in-depth disciplinary knowledge
with interdisciplinary perspectives to:
• support individual research interests
• enhance state-of-the-art research knowledge
• stimulate long-lasting openness for science across all disciplines
The research-related training is realised in strong collaboration with the research activities of
each section. All activities of the sections are open for all doctoral fellows. Training in generic
skills is offered by the Research School.
Formal Requirements of the structured research training programme
A minimum of 12 CP is required within 3 - 4 years in the following qualification areas:
• research-related training (8 CP)
• training in generic skills (3 CP)
• Science College (1 CP)
Credited activities are acknowledged on the basis of the European Credit Transfer System
(ECTS), i.e. a workload of 30 h per CP.
Organisational Information
Please fill in the research activities which should be acknowledged within the structured
research training programme of the Research School in the Individual Training Plan (page 4).
These training activities have to fulfil the requirements of the structured research training
programme of the Research School (see “Notes for Guidance” of the Individual Training
Plan). Curricular elements of existing structured doctoral training programmes at the Ruhr-
University (e.g. IGSN, IGB, GSCB, IDS) and/or affiliated research institutions are
acknowledged by the Research School (for detailed information please contact the CCO).
Please send a hard copy of your filled in Individual Training Plan (with added copies of your
certificates of attendance or a link to conference programmes etc.) together with the Yearly
Report to the CCO. To acknowledge your activities within the structured research training
programme (with Credit Points) please send a digital copy of your Individual Training Plan to
the CCO in advance.
The minimal requirements of the structured research training programme have to be fulfilled
at least until the submission of your PhD thesis.
In case you fulfilled all requirements of the structured research training programme of the
Research School please send a hard copy of the Individual Training Plan with all additional
certificates of attendance to the CCO. On request these can be documented in an attached
supplement to the Research School Certificate.
In case you are a member of a structured doctoral training programme like IGB, IGSN,
GSCB, IDS etc. please also send a copy documenting the successful completion of this
programme.
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Individual Training Plan
Completed courses of doctoral training programmes
Before completing this form please read the notes for guidance on page 5.
Name: Section: NSE HSS LS
RESEARCH-RELATED TRAINING (8 CP) Date Workload
(hrs/days)
CP
Discussion about Recent Scientific Knowledge
Discussion about Special Research Methods
Active Participation in Scientific Communication
Section Day
TOTAL
GENERIC SKILLS (3 CP) Date Workload
(hrs/days)
CP
Teaching obligations (credited with 1 CP all together)
TOTAL
SCIENCE COLLEGE (1 CP) Date Workload
(hrs/days)
CP
TOTAL
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NOTES FOR GUIDANCE
Before completing this application form, please read the following information carefully. It will
help you to organise your research activities according to the framework of the structured
research training programme of the Research School and helps us to credit your activities
respectively.
RESEARCH-RELATED TRAINING (8 CP)
You should acquire CP in all 4 categories of research activities listed in the form:
1. Discussion about Recent Scientific Knowledge (single activities or regular during semester)
e.g. in research group seminars, research colloquia, journal clubs as well as in individual talks
and lectures held by international guest-scientists or participating scientists (Forschungs- und
Doktorandenkolloquien, Lehrstuhlseminare, Gastvorträge, Summer Schools etc.).
2. Discussion about Special Research Methods (single activities or regular during semester) e.g.
in methodology seminars, lab courses, research colloquia, lectures or summer schools focussing
mainly on methodological issues.
3. Active Participation in Scientific Communication (talk or poster of own research results) e.g.
in research workshops, master classes, summer schools, conferences giving the opportunity to
discuss your research work with experts of your research field. Acknowledged will be all talks or
posters with you as first author. You should indicate the title of the talk or poster because identical
posters or talks you presented at different conferences, workshops etc. will only be acknowledged
once. Talks or posters within research group seminars or research colloquia of chairs or working
groups will not be acknowledged here.
4. The Section Day supports your networking activities within the section as well as across the
section borders by giving you the opportunity to present your research results to all fellows of the
Research School. We expect at least one active participation with poster or talk in 3 years within
the structured research training programme of the Research School.
GENERIC SKILLS (3 CP)
To support your communicative skills, the Research School organises high-level training courses to
strengthen your individual research competencies and support your integration into the scientific
community. Courses in generic skills are acknowledged in the following qualification areas: Scientific
Writing, Scientific Presentation, Professional (Scientific) Communication, Teaching.Teaching
obligations will be credited with 1 CP – even if you are or have been engaged in more than one
exercise, seminar, lecture etc. in your PhD phase.
SCIENCE COLLEGE (1 CP)
The Science College brings together doctoral candidates from all thematic priorities in an inter- and
transdisciplinary discussion. We expect at least one participation in 3 years within the structured
research training programme of the Research School.
Please notice:
• Please indicate the kind of activities (research group seminar, lecture, talk etc.), title, date or
semester, duration or hours per week (SWS) and – if applicable – official number (Nummer im
Vorlesungsverzeichnis). Duration or hours per week are meant to specify the time of attendance, not
your individual hours of work.
• Activities can be acknowledged when they are realised on the level of PhD qualification (activities
from Master study courses will not be acknowledged; for exceptions please contact the COO).
• If you are a member of an existing structured doctoral training programme you do not have to
indicate the courses acknowledged within this programme but only those activities related to your
participation in the structured research training programme of the Research School.
• In any case please indicate all Generic Skills courses you attend.
• You don’t have to fill in the column “CP”. Only in case you already acquired CP for your research
activities by an existing structured doctoral training programme please indicate your “CP” here.
• Publications will not be recognised within the structured training programme of the Research School.
• Please avoid abbreviations.
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Supervision Agreement
Supervision should be realised as an ongoing scientific discussion and guidance to support
the progress of the research project as well as the individual qualification of doctoral fellows.
Supervision will take place according to the necessities of the project, the progress of the
work and the qualification of the doctoral fellow.
To ensure high-level research expertise each doctoral fellow is accompanied by a first and
second supervisor. In the Research School every scientist who is entitled to supervise a PhD
project in accordance with the respective PhD regulations of the faculties or of other
institutions of the Ruhr University can take over the responsibility of being the first or second
supervisor. The second supervisor has to be nominated at least 6 months after admission.
The supervisors have not to be first or second reviewer of the research project.
Doctoral fellow, first and second supervisors agree on the following guidelines to realise a
reliable and transparent supervision of an independent doctoral project within the Research
School.
First and second supervisors:
• support the doctoral fellow as early stage researcher
• offer regular supervisory guidance to facilitate the success of the research project
• envisage a time to degree of 3 - 4 years (fulltime)
• encourage the integration in the international scientific community by supporting
participations in conferences, workshops, summer schools etc.
• support publication of research results
• support the activities of the doctoral fellow within the Research School
• point out the research code of conduct “Proposals for Safeguarding Good Scientific
Practice” of the German Research Foundation (DFG)
Doctoral Fellow:
• exchange with the supervisors and seek advice regularly
• realise the research project independently
• participate in conferences, summer schools etc. to discuss the research results within the
(international) scientific community
• take actively part in the activities of the Research School
• follow the research code of conduct “Proposals for Safeguarding Good Scientific Practice”
of the German Research Foundation (DFG)
Depending on the different research cultures within the Research School, regular supervision
can vary between daily feedback or longer feedback periods. The Research School
guidelines recommend at least two meetings between doctoral fellow and first and/or second
supervisors per year. These meetings should provide a forum for a regular discussion
between doctoral fellow and first and second supervisors about the research efforts with
regard to overall aims, the envisaged time-to-degree and the doctoral qualification.
In case of difficulties between doctoral fellow and first or second supervisors with the
supervision arrangements within the Research School doctoral fellows can contact the
responsible person within the CCO (ombudsperson).
If supervision within the Research School is supposed to be dissolved one of the both parties
has to submit a written request to the Dean of the Research School. The doctoral fellow can
make an appointment for a new supervisory agreement within the next 3 months.
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Yearly Report
Aims
Every year the doctoral fellow has to document the research efforts and activities of the last
12 months in a yearly report. The yearly report is no detailed description of the research
project but a documentation of the outcomes and strategies of research, training and
supervision. The yearly report should support a reliable and transparent communication
between doctoral fellow and supervisors. It should ensure an ongoing discussion on research
results and efforts to support the successful completion of the PhD project in the envisaged
time-to-degree of 3-4 years (fulltime).
Requirements
The Yearly Report has to be handed in by all fellows of the Research School. You can hand
in a Short Version or a Full Version:
The SHORT VERSION can be handed in by doctoral fellows who regularly report on their
research results (incl. planned activities) by a written progress report (e.g. reports for grants,
scholarships or supervision agreements of faculties) and/ or an oral presentation (in working
groups, research collquia etc.) within the last 12 months. Please notice that the oral
presentation has to be documented by slides and/or a comprehensible text version (e.g.
headwords, printed out graphs etc.). For the Short Version please activate the check-boxes
and fill in the additional information.
The FULL VERSION of the yearly report has to be handed in by doctoral fellows who do not
regularly report on their research efforts by a written progress report (e.g. reports for grants,
scholarships or supervision agreements of faculties) and/ or an oral presentation (in working
groups, research colloquia etc.). In this case please fill in the respective part of the yearly
report in full text or headwords. The full version should be precise enough to communicate
the contents clear and comprehensible between doctoral fellow and both supervisors. Two
pages should not be exceeded.
Only in case the requirements of the Individual Training and Supervision Plan will not be
fulfilled and the completion of your research project exceeds the envisaged time-to-degree of
4 years (fulltime) the annual research reports will be examined by the Executive Board.
Organisational Information
Please send a copy of the yearly report every year until December 1 to the CCO signed by
the doctoral fellow and first and second supervisors.
Holders of Research School Scholarships or
Research School Grants
Doctoral fellows supported by a Research School Scholarship or a Research School Grant
have to hand in a detailed progress report (4-5 pages) focussing on the research efforts and
research results of the last 12 months which has to be accompanied by a letter of
recommendation of the first supervisor. Please hand in the progress report four weeks before
the yearly funding period expires.
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Yearly Report: _____ Year
Before completing this form please read the notes for guidance on page 9.
STATE OF RESEARCH AFFAIRS AND OUTLOOK
SHORT VERSION
written progress report / accepted
presentation of research results (seminar, research colloquia etc.)
date:
date:
FULL VERSION
MEETING THE ESTIMATED SCHEDULE OF YOUR RESEARCH PROJECT
way ahead on schedule way behind
Estimated completion of your research project (month, year):
NON-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES WITHIN THE RESEARCH SCHOOL
Discussion Club
Other Activities
Network Meetings
Individual Training Plan
Signatures: ____________ ____________ _______________
Doctoral Fellow First Supervisor Second Supervisor
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NOTES FOR GUIDANCE
The notes for guidance will help to organise the yearly report in advance and prepare it in
cooperation between doctoral fellow and supervisors.
Please fill in the respective year of your PhD in the headline of the Yearly Report (the year
since the beginning of your PhD project not the year of your membership in the Research
School).
ACTUAL STATE OF RESEARCH AFFAIRS AND OUTLOOK:
SHORT VERSION: please activate the check boxes and fill in the additional information.
FULL VERSION: Please sum up briefly the state of affairs concerning your research activities and
research results of the last 12 months (are they matching with aims and timeline envisaged or did
important deviations occur) and give an outlook on the planned activities of the next months.
MEETING THE ESTIMATED SCHEDULE OF YOUR RESEARCH PROJECT:
SHORT VERSION AND FULL VERSION: please activate the respective check-box and indicate the
estimated date for the completion of your research project.
NON-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES WITHIN THE RESEARCH SCHOOL:
SHORT VERSION AND FULL VERSION: In case you organised and /or participated in one of the noncurricular
activities of the Research School (Discussion Club, Network Meetings) please indicate here.
You have the possibility to sum up briefly your engagement within the RS (organisation of events,
taking over notably responsibility)
ENCLOSURE TO THE YEARLY REPORT SHORT VERSION AND FULL VERSION:
• updated Individual Training Plan
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Research School Certificate
After you fulfilled the requirements of the Individual Training and Supervision Plan you will be
awarded a Research School Certificate. To document your successful participation in the
Research School you must have submitted:
• the signed Letter of Acceptance of the ITSP
• the Individual Training Plan documenting your successful participation in the structured
doctoral training programme (minimum of 12 CP)
• Yearly Reports for the time of your membership in the Research School
Before we formally hand over your certificate we kindly ask you to complete your submitted
documents by:
• list of publications (published during your membership of the Research School) –
please copy the records of your publications in the prepared list and send the file by
mail to the CCO
• list of active conference participations (during your membership of the Research
School) – please copy all your active conference participations in the prepared list and
send the file by mail to the CCO (in addition to the Individual Training Plan)
• hard copy of your doctorate certificate
If you do not fulfil the requirements of the Individual Training and Supervision Plan you will
not be awarded with the Research School Certificate.
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