PhD students have a Training and Supervision Plan describing entitlements to supervision and education. Each PhD thesis consists of at least 5 first-author, high-quality papers, submitted to international scientific journals (at least 3 papers accepted).
CAPHRI participates in the national Research School CaRe that organises the PhD education programme and aims to develop PhD students into highly qualified, independent and critical researchers. PhD students can also follow courses of the Faculty, UM Career Centre, and in teaching skills. CAPHRI offers PhD students a personal budget for courses and conference visits.
A supervision team consists of 2 - 4 (co-)promoters, of whom one has the daily supervision. Supervisors are experienced researchers with content expertise in the topic and research methods, and work at different departments, the Academic hospital, and Dutch or foreign research institutes to ensure interdisciplinary perspectives. Through the PhD student quality system, TRACK, the progress of the project and the quality of the supervision is monitored.
A PhD co-ordinator (Hannerieke van der Boom) and confidential advisor (Trudy van der Weijden) are available for questions, advice and in case of problems.
The PhD co-ordinator functions as a low-threshold contact point for PhD students and their supervisors and also keeps close contact with the HR Department and Career Centre. Within CAPHRI, the PhD co-ordinator works closely with the members of the management office, policy advisor and scientific director.
The tasks of a PhD co-ordinator.
For problems and advice regarding the relationship between you and your supervisor, or personal matters, you can consult a confidential advisor, Trudy van der Weijden. She is independent of CAPHRI staff, including the management. All information shared with the confidential advisor remains confidential; information will only be shared with others when you give permission.
Policies and developments
The CAPHRI Board of Education (the scientific director, PhD co-ordinator, confidential advisor, 3 PhD student representatives) regularly meets to discuss PhD student policies and developments.
CAPHRI wants to cherish its top-talents and has a ‘breeding ground policy’ to identify, stimulate, and provide support. Scholarships are offered to talented PhD students to go abroad, and incentives are provided for researchers to apply for a VENI, VIDI, or VICI grant.
Every year, all researchers meet at the CAPHRI Research Day, comprising lectures, poster presentations, discussions, and granting of several awards. CAPHRI regularly organises PhD student meetings.