Training programme

The research training programme is designed for the PhD students to be appointed or contracted from 2016. It is mandatory for these PhD students to actively participate in the programme and to achieve 30 European Credits (EC), where 1 EC is equivalent to 28 hours of study. The training programme consists of a compulsory part and elective courses. The compulsory part of the training programme is organised by GSCF or the Groningen Graduate Schools. The elective courses will partly be organised by GSCF and partly by third parties. PhD students may choose items with a minimum of 13 EC to enhance knowledge and competences on topics of their choice. PhD students receive a certificate after having mastered the training programme. For PhD students, a training programme certificate will be required before approval can be obtained from the supervisors.

The study load for writing the PhD thesis is 210 EC, which results in a total study load of 240 EC. Taking into account that 60 EC is equivalent to 1 year of study, this means that PhD students will be expected to finish the PhD project within four years.

In case PhD students need specialised training modules in their field of research, GSCF offers the possibility to follow modules at other graduate schools of the University of Groningen or at other knowledge institutions. In individual cases, GSCF may decide to cover (part of) the costs of these courses.

Course information

University of Groningen Introduction Event
The Office of the Dean of Graduate Schools organises a special retreat for new PhD students from all across the University of Groningen to get them acquainted with each other, the university and its surroundings. Participation is free. All new PhD students should take part within the first three months of their project.

Introductory course
When new PhD students arrive it is essential for them to meet other PhD students already associated with GSCF and most importantly to acquire knowledge of their research endeavours. Therefore, every 6 months (or upon request) an introductory week will be organised by GSCF and the existing PhD students. New PhD students will spend 5 days (one working week) visiting various labs and workplaces. In a workshop setting, the new PhD students will learn about concepts and techniques available within the projects of GSCF and most importantly meet the teams in which the PhD projects are embedded. In this way, collaborative opportunities can be identified at an early stage. Furthermore, the PhD students will learn about scientific integrity.

Summer School
Each year an International Summer School will be organised, in which trans- disciplinary research will be the main focus. The objective of the Summer School is to attract an international audience of PhD students and senior scholars by inviting world class keynotes on the areas to be discussed. GSCF PhD students will be invited to actively participate by reading the papers and act as discussants.

Autumn school
Each year an Autumn School will be organised by a team composed of three research partners of GSCF. Under a central theme this three days event will be hosted by participating institutes or organisations. The focus of GSCF deviates from traditional Schools. The Autumn School will specifically deal with valorisation of research embedded within the Graduate School. It is compulsory for GSCF PhD students to help organising and developing the programme of the Autumn School once during their PhD project. In the other years, PhD students are welcome to be part of the active audience.

PhD Conference
Each year a PhD Conference will be organised. This conference will be exclusive to GSCF members and supervisors and will consist of a full day of poster and oral presentations. PhD students will present their project on a yearly basis. The best poster and the best paper (including the presentation) will be awarded.

• First year of the project: PhD students will present a poster on the topic and the planning of their project;
• Second and third year of the project: PhD students will present a poster on research progress of their project;
• Final year of the project: PhD students will orally present a paper discussing the final results of their project.

A keynote, preferably international, speaker will close the programme. This renowned scientist will attend the full day and will be available for advice, comments and discussions and will present the awards.

Philosophy of science
Philosophy of science is the study of assumptions, foundations, and the implications of science. It investigates the different branches of science and its underlying structure. Central questions are “What is and is not science?”, “What characterises science?” and “How to achieve scientific progress?”. Special attention is paid to transdisciplinary science in the context of Campus Fryslân.

Career perspectives
In this course, three approaches to career perspectives will be addressed.

1. PhD students investigate career opportunities, based upon the questions: What is my expertise, what do I want to achieve and how do I wish to achieve my goals.

2. PhD students will receive and discuss information about career possibilities within academia.

3. PhD students will receive and discuss information about career opportunities outside academia.

Research valorisation
This module addresses the various ways in which scientific research can contribute to society, by professional publications, popular publications, start-ups, developing patents for products and by influencing policy makers. It is intended to increase the awareness of the importance of societal impact of scientific research.

PhD research within Campus Fryslân strongly aims at research valorisation in relation to the objectives of the Frisian knowledge agenda.

PhD Day
Each year the Graduate School and PhD students will organise a PhD Day. Three workshops will discuss new tools and best practices that will enhance or facilitate research output of the PhD students.