Tasks and responsibilities of the doctoral researcher and the doctoral supervisor

You are entitled to high-quality supervision

As a doctoral researcher, you are entitled to high-quality supervision that supports both your research process and your development as an independent researcher. Supervision should be expert, goal-oriented, and conducive to the progress of both your doctoral studies and your research.

You are entitled to regular supervisory meetings, feedback, and support related to your studies and research. Together with your supervisors, you will agree on the schedule and format of these meetings. However, you are responsible for the progress of your research and studies.

You will be assigned at least two supervisors

At the University of Eastern Finland, you will be assigned at least two supervisors, one of whom will act as the principal supervisor. At least one supervisor must be a member of the university staff. Faculty-specific requirements for doctoral supervisors can be found in Kamu.

Having more than one supervisor allows you to benefit from their different areas of expertise. Supervisors agree among themselves on the division of responsibilities for guiding your doctoral studies and research. Discuss with your supervisors what kinds of support they can provide. This may include, for example, commenting on grant applications, providing references and recommendation letters, or offering methodological guidance.

Your tasks as a doctoral researcher

Studies and planning

• Register each academic year as either present or absent.
• Prepare a supervision plan together with your supervisors (applies to doctoral researchers granted a doctoral study right on or after 1 August 2024).
• Prepare a personal study plan for doctoral studies together with your supervisors. The plan should take into account the methodological and disciplinary competencies required for doctoral research, degree requirements, and your own career goals. Update the plan when necessary.
• Complete your doctoral studies according to the schedule agreed upon with your supervisors.

Research and supervision

• Ensure that your research plan is updated when necessary and remain committed to conducting your research in a goal-oriented manner.
• Make use of supervision in accordance with the supervision plan and report regularly to your supervisors on the progress of your research.
• Take into account the feedback provided by your supervisors and, when needed, make use of the support available from the broader academic community, including peer support.
• Submit documents related to completed study credits to your supervisor without delay.

Research ethics

• Adhere to the principles of good scientific practice, research ethics, guidelines for the use of artificial intelligence, and data management throughout your studies and research.

Academic community and communication

• Participate in the activities of the academic community and scientific discussion during your studies, as well as in doctoral training provided by the doctoral programme and researcher training services.
• Actively follow communications related to doctoral education through the communication channels of the doctoral programme, researcher training services, and your faculty, and seek information through Kamu.

Funding

• Apply for funding for your doctoral research when necessary, for example from foundations or other supplementary funding sources.
• Request support from your supervisor in preparing applications and ask for statements or recommendation letters well in advance of application deadlines.

Preparing for the public defence and graduation

• Submit the doctoral dissertation manuscript (monograph or summary chapter) and any unpublished manuscripts included in an article-based dissertation to plagiarism detection software before the pre-examination stage.
• Apply for permission to defend the dissertation, arrange for the publication of the dissertation, and apply for the degree certificate.

Tasks of the Doctoral Supervisor

Supervision and feedback

• The supervisor is committed to supporting your doctoral research and provides expert and constructive feedback at different stages of the dissertation process.
• The supervisor guides you in preparing the research plan and the personal study plan for doctoral studies.
• The supervisor prepares the supervision plan together with you (applies to doctoral researchers granted doctoral study right on or after 1 August 2024).
• The supervisor monitors and supports the progress of your doctoral studies.
• The supervisor submits your completed study credits for registration without delay.
• The supervisor promotes your integration into both the local research community and the national and international academic communities and encourages you to build peer-support networks.

Research ethics and data management

• The supervisor introduces you to ethical issues related to research, the principles of good scientific practice, and research data management. These topics are also covered in transferable skills courses.

Funding

• The supervisor supports you, when necessary, in applying for research funding and provides recommendation letters and statements.

Preparing for the public defence

• The supervisor ensures that your doctoral research meets the required academic and formal standards before it is submitted for pre-examination.
• The supervisor reviews and evaluates the similarity report generated by plagiarism detection software for your dissertation manuscript.
• The supervisor supports you in preparing for the public defence of your dissertation.

The supervisor’s professional competence

• The supervisor familiarises themselves with the Kamu guidelines on the study requirements of the doctoral programme and on dissertation requirements and the public examination.
• The supervisor develops their supervisory competence through supervision training and feedback.

More information for doctoral supervisors on UEF Intranet

Doctoral supervisors will find content aimed at them on UEF Intranet. Go to Doctoral education at UEF (login required) and choose section For doctoral dissertation supervisors from the top menu.