Information for Supervisors
Good supervision and mentorship are key to a successful PhD and postdoc phase. To support iDiv supervisors in their tasks and responsibilities, yDiv has compiled information on supervision guidelines, training opportunities, and communication tools. Supervisors will also find contacts to find support in challenging supervision situations.
If you have any questions concerning supervision at iDiv, please contact yDiv.
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Guidelines on Supervision
Find here important guidelines on supervision at iDiv, the universities and the UFZ.
iDiv guidelines:
- iDiv Code of of Scientific Integrity
- yDiv guide to PhD Advisory Committee (PAC) for main and co-supervisors
Guidelines at the universities and the UFZ:
- Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg: University wide regulations and recommendations
- Friedrich Schiller University Jena: Guidelines for the doctoral phase
- Leipzig University: Recommendations for good doctoral supervision
- Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research – UFZ: Regulations for Doctoral Researchers and Advisors at the UFZ (accessible internally)
Training for Supervisors
What is successful PhD Supervision?
Date: 16 August 2024 Lecturer: Gitte Wichmann-Hansen Location: Online via Zoom | Type of event: online workshop Max. participants: 30 participants |
Mental Health in Doctoral Researchers - a brief "How-to“ look out, approach and help
Date: 27 September 2024 Lecturer: Juliane Hug Location: Online via Zoom | Type of event: online workshop Max. participants: 20 participants |
Good leadership has positive effects on efficiency, work performance and team satisfaction. At the same time, leadership in science is particularly complex and challenging. Therefore, iDiv strongly encourages all iDiv supervisors to participate in courses and other forms of supervision training.
Find here information on training for supervisors organized by yDiv and course offers at the universities and the UFZ.
Training at iDiv
For supervisors at Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg
Current events of the department for personnel development (in German only)
Individual coaching for supervisors (website in Germany only)
For supervisors at Friedrich Schiller University Jena
Current course offers for group leaders
Current course offers for PhD supervisors
More information on personnel development for executive staff
For supervisors at Leipzig University
Current course offers in the course database (in German only)
Support for executive staff in science and administration (website in German only but you can contact the consultant in English)
For supervisors at Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research – UFZ
UFZ supervisors can join the Helmholtz Leadership Academy
Communication in Supervision
There are different tools to optimize communication with your doctoral and postdoctoral researchers. In this section you find templates for clarifying expectations and for appraisal interviews.
Clarifying expectations
Having different expectations can lead to misunderstandings and conflicts in a supervisory relationship. yDiv therefore strongly recommends to talk about mutual expectations from the start. You can use the yDiv expectations sheet to discuss different aspects of PhD supervision and to find compromises where needed.
Templates for appraisal interviews at the universities and the UFZ
Employee appraisals are an important tool for developing employees and continuously improving communication and cooperation between supervisors and supervisees. Appraisal interviews should take place at least annually.
Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg: Strukturiertes Mitarbeitendengespräch (accessible internally; only in German)
Friedrich Schiller University Jena: Performance reviews
Friedrich Schiller University Jena: Leitfaden zum Postdoc-Karrieregespräch
Friedrich Schiller Univerity Jena: Guideline for the conversation about the status of a doctorate
Leipzig University: Informationen zum Mitarbeiter-Vorgesetzten-Gespräch (accessible internally)
See section “Personalbeschaffung und Personalentwicklung“, templates are in German, template for supervisors is also available in English
Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research – UFZ: Annual appraisal interview (accessible internally)
Where to find support in case of conflicts or challenging supervision situations
In case of conflicts or problems in supervision situations you can get support (e.g. mediation) by the iDiv counsellors, the ombudspersons at the universities and UFZ or other support services.
Counselling at iDiv
iDiv counsellors Dr Nicole Sachmerda-Schulz and Dr Marten Winter
Ombudspersons and conflict mediation at the universities and the UFZ
- Office of Ombudspersons Leipzig University
- Conflict mediation Leipzig University
- Ombudsperson Graduate Academy Jena (consulting in cases of conflict)
- Ombudspersons Jena University
- Ombudsperson Halle University (website in German only)
- Social and conflict counseling Halle University
- Ombudspersons UFZ
- Further consultation offers by HIGRADE/graduate school of UFZ
- The German Research Ombudsman (here you can find ombudspersons outside your institution)
Support for mental health related issues
Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg: The social and conflict counseling can advise on mental stress
Friedrich Schiller University Jena: The Mental Health First Aid Team offers confidential first help related to emotional distress and in psychological crises
Leipzig University: Psychosocial counseling for employees (website in German, accessible internally)
Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research – UFZ: The HIGRADE graduate school summarized services at the UFZ as well as external contacts
Contact
Dr Nicole Sachmerda-Schulz
Graduate School Coordinator
Room: A.00.19
Phone: +49 341 9733125
Email: nicole.sachmerda-schulz@idiv.de