Doctorate supervise

In order to be accepted as a doctoral candidate at the University of Kassel, further documents must be submitted to the doctoral office in addition to the supervisory agenda and the application for acceptance as a doctoral candidate. An overview of the documents to be submitted can be found here under step 4. The supervisory agenda and the application for acceptance as a doctoral candidate must be signed by both the supervisor and the doctoral candidate.

Authorized to supervise are:

  • Appointed professors from the relevant Faculty;
  • Junior professors from the relevant Faculty;
  • Associate professors from the relevant Faculty;
  • Private lecturers from the relevant Faculty. In this case, there must be a special connection to the University of Kassel (e.g. in the context of teaching/research activities and scholarships or due to a service or employment relationship);

If a second supervisor is named who fulfills the professorial requirements, he/she is also eligible for supervision:

  • Senior Professors from the relevant Faculty;
  • Retired Professors, honorary and substitute professors
  • Private Lecturers without special ties to the University of Kassel.
  • Scientists with a doctorate who have distinguished themselves through special scientific achievements. A second supervision can be waived. The doctoral committee decides.

Both supervisors sign the application for acceptance as a doctoral candidate as well as the supervisory agenda.

Cooperative supervision

Joint supervision by supervisors from different Faculties or in cooperation with supervisors from other universities is generally possible and desired, provided that both supervisors meet the requirements for this. Both supervisors sign the application for acceptance as a doctoral candidate as well as the supervision agenda. As a rule, both supervisors also act as reviewers in this case.

Double supervision

Although it is possible to supervise a doctoral candidate alone, it is generally recommended that a second supervisor is named in the supervision agenda to take over the supervision temporarily or until the completion of the doctoral process in case of emergency or conflict.

As a supervisor

  • you contribute to the doctoral project of your doctoral students;
  • you act as a mentor in case of technical and often also personal problems;
  • you may also be a professional supervisor;
  • evaluate the dissertation and take part in the disputation;
  • hold a discussion with your doctoral students at least once a year about the status of the doctoral project and/or potential problems or hurdles in the doctoral project;
  • give feedback on the results achieved;
  • communicate and control the compliance with the rules of good scientific practice;
  • inform your doctoral candidates about possible workshops, symposia, colloquia and lectures. Central service units such as the Graduate Academy Office, the Research Service, the Strategic Human Resources Development, the Equality Office and many others can support you in these areas;
  • support doctoral students in their integration into the scientific community and promote their involvement in (inter)national networks;
  • Talk to your doctoral candidates in a timely manner about the possibility of extending the acceptance period;
  • Recommend a possible second reviewer and other members of the doctoral committee to the doctoral committee in a timely manner. Depending on the Faculty, the proposal should be submitted to the Dean's Office or the Doctoral Committee. The proposal can be made before the submission of the dissertation, but should be submitted at the latest with the opening of the main proceedings.

A good relationship and clear agreements about the responsibilities between supervisor and doctoral candidate are therefore very important for the success of the doctorate.

The structure of the supervisory relationship as well as the rights and duties of the parties involved are regulated in the supervisory agenda, which is based on the principles of good scientific practice. The supervisory agenda helps to align mutual expectations of the doctoral phase and to plan various aspects - such as conference participation, publication strategies - at an early stage. A guide that structures the conversation is available at www.uni-kassel.de/go/betreuungsagenda. Completion of the supervisory agenda is mandatory for acceptance as a PhD student. It is strongly recommended to update the supervision agenda on an annual basis and is a prerequisite for contract extensions in the qualification phase.

If a doctorate is awarded within four years in the case of state positions or positions that are limited in time according to WissZeitVG §2 para. 1 and financed by third-party funds, or within three years in the case of fellowships, the supervisors receive a bonus of 3,000 euros to the respective cost center of the department.

The cut-off dates for doctorates at state and third-party funded positions are the beginning of the contractual relationship at the qualifying position (state position or first third-party funded position) and the date of receipt of a first positive review.

Procedure for applying for the award

After completion of the doctorate, the premium can be applied for informally at the personnel department.

The premium is personal. Within the Human Resources Department, the request is reviewed and then the specified cost center is credited with the premium.

The request should be sent to Department III D with the following information:

  • The exact employment/scholarship dates of the doctoral student,
  • the date of submission of the thesis
  • the existence of the initial report as well as
  • (only if available, if applicable) the date of the disputation.