We believe that junior researchers are motivated by their passion for their project and by their determination to succeed, because they are keen on generating career opportunities after completion of their PhD. The ZIBI Graduate School supports this individual quest by creating an environment of excellence. We do so by careful assessment and selection of students, regular interactions of students with peers and PIs, and critical yet constructive feedback on their scientific progress.

Each doctoral researcher of the ZIBI Graduate School has a primary supervisor, invariably the PI responsible for the research project. The research progress of the doctoral researchers is monitored and adjusted using the following tools:

• Project outline with a time schedule
  Within the first six months the doctoral researcher has to prepare a project outline with a time schedule. Here, the doctoral researcher, together with their primary supervisor, also chooses two further members for their thesis advisory committee and a supervision agreement is prepared to formalize the Student-PI relationship and to provide security and reliability.

• Thesis advisory committee (TAC) meeting
  A committee meeting with the doctoral researcher, PI and two additional senior scientists is held at least annually.

• Written progress report
  A biannual written report is submitted to the TAC and the coordinator.

• Annual retreat
  Doctoral researchers present their research progress to the entire ZIBI Graduate School community. Presentation of the graduates’ research data allows helpful discussions with faculty and postdocs from the PI’s laboratories. These discussions serve to evaluate and critically review the research progress and, simultaneously, create links between groups.

If you have started your PhD project in the ZIBI Graduate School already, please visit our Students Member Area!