Pursuant to s. 8(1) of the PhD Order, the main supervisor is responsible for the overall education of the PhD student. The main supervisor must plan, together with the PhD student, the course of the education process with a view to ensuring that the PhD degree programme will be completed in due time.

The responsibilities of the main supervisor are directed towards both the graduate school and the PhD student. The main supervisor is responsible for ensuring that the PhD education proceeds in accordance with the rules and regulations stipulated in the PhD Order, the guidelines of the graduate school and the PhD plan. These responsibilities include:

• Establishing a schedule for meetings with the PhD student, where all aspects of the student’s work can be discussed.
• Ensuring that the PhD student is informed about the necessary safety precautions to be taken in laboratories and/or departments, about AU’s regulations regarding IT security and the necessary legal requirements and research ethics relating to the project.
• Discussing the work done and, if necessary, reviewing the purpose of the work in the light of progress made and external factors – e.g. financing of the project or the publication of new findings that make it necessary to reassess the project.
• Telling the PhD student to stop if the results achieved indicate interesting, but uncertain and time-consuming sub-projects.
• Ensuring that the PhD student has the opportunity to present his or her own work both internally and externally and the opportunity to join a journal club and similar activity.
• Ensuring that the PhD degree programme is completed on time.
• Contacting the other supervisors if problems arise affecting the completion of the PhD degree programme.
• Submitting the required evaluations
• Ensuring that all mandatory elements of the PhD education are completed prior to submitting the dissertation:
  • Participation in PhD courses incl. the mandatory courses (30 ECTS)
  • Teaching experience (150 hours)
  • Participation in one or more journal clubs
  • A stay in another research environment, preferably abroad (duration at least one month)
  • Participation in the annual PhD day twice
• Submitting proposals for assessment committees

In addition, the Head of the Graduate School may stipulate other requirements to the supervisors, including mandatory education of supervisors.  

The main supervisor and/or co-supervisor(s) are responsible for:

• Providing day-to-day supervision including the planning of protocols, discussion of practical problems, if relevant, and discussion and compilation of results.
• Ensuring that the PhD student acquires a general understanding of the relevant literature, and that he/she keeps up to date with the latest relevant articles.
• Providing constructive criticism and feedback regarding submitted manuscripts/publications and the dissertation within a time frame which ensures that the dissertation is submitted on time.
• Being informed at all times about the progress of the PhD student’s work

In addition, the Head of the Graduate School may stipulate other requirements to the supervisors, including mandatory education of supervisors.