Doctoral plan and supervision
Dr. Caroline Welte (ETH Library)
Dr. Giorgia Zandomeneghi (ETH Doctoral Administration)
Dr. Giorgia Zandomeneghi (ETH Doctoral Administration)
Peter Dorthe (VPPL ETH)
Hugh Kearns (Flinders University, Australia; ThinkWell)
- Online workshop "The seven secrets of highly successful doctoral students" (only in fall semester)
As a doctoral candidate at ETH Zurich, you are required to submit a doctoral plan within your first year. This crucial document forms the foundation of your aptitude colloquium and is essential for your definitive admission to the doctoral program.
This workshop will address topics as:
- Formal requirements: criteria and standards your doctoral plan must meet
- Structure and sections: guidance on effectively organizing your plan, ensuring all critical sections are addressed
- Common challenges: you will work on the typical hurdles faced during the drafting process, receiving insights and strategies to overcome them. These include:
- Identifying and refining pertinent research questions
- Formulating a cohesive and robust research project
- Navigating the writing process with efficiency and clarity
- Time-management during the writing process.
- Identifying and refining pertinent research questions
This workshop is designed to offer you not just theoretical knowledge, but also practical skills. You will have the opportunity to work in groups, focusing on individual challenges, and receiving tailored feedback. Whether you are struggling with the conceptualization of your research or the mechanics of writing, our goal is to equip you with the tools and confidence necessary to craft a successful doctoral plan.
We recommend this workshop for students who have already acquired some research experience in their doctorate.
Registration
Two dates are available
Date: Monday 8 September 2025
Time: 15:30 - 18:00
Location: RZ Building (Clausiusstrasse 59, 8092 Zurich) D 8
Registration "Writing a successful doctoral plan" (08.09.2025) will open in August
Date: Wednesday 3 December 2025
Time: 15:30 - 18:00
Location: HIT Building (Wolfgang-Pauli-Str. 27, 8093 Zurich) E 51
Registration "Writing a successful doctoral plan" (03.12.2025) will open in August
Should you be located outside Zurich and find attendance at this workshop difficult, please .
Research has shown consistently that the relationship between doctoral students and their supervisors influences the research productivity and the success of the doctorate. Moreover, a good supervisory relationship helps maintain the candidate satisfaction and mental health.
Join us for this workshop and learn about the importance and the complexity of the supervisory relationship. You will be introduced to strategies for establishing and maintaining a positive and productive relationship with your supervisor and you will learn where to turn for support if you have questions, concerns, or problems.
The workshop addresses aspects of doctoral supervision at ETH as:
? the successful doctorate, the good supervisor
? supervision styles
? rules on the doctorate at ETH
? management of mutual expectations
? effective meetings
? ask/receive useful feedback
? where to find advice & information at ETH.
Note that this will be an interactive workshop with theoretical inputs and group discussions during which active participation is requested.
What do doctoral students do to finish on time, to overcome isolation, doubt and writer’s block, and to enjoy the process? And just as importantly what do they do in order to spend guilt-?free time with their family and friends and perhaps even have holidays? If this sounds appealing, then this session will be of particular use to you.
This workshop conducted by external page Hugh Kearns (external page Flinders University, Australia, external page ThinkWell) describes the key habits that our research and experience with thousands of students across the world shows will make a difference to how quickly and easily you complete your research project. Just as importantly, these habits can greatly reduce the stress and increase the pleasure involved in doing research.
The workshop helps you to understand how to increase your effectiveness and outcomes in the following key areas:
? how you deal with your supervisor
? how you structure your study time
? your attitude (or lack thereof!) in relation to your research
? dealing with writer’s block or having difficulty writing
? getting the help you need when you are stuck
? juggling multiple commitments and never having enough time
? keeping on going when the going gets tough.
Registration
Date: Wednesday 17 September 2025
Time: 9:30 - 12:00
Online (ZOOM)
external page Registration "The seven secrets of highly successful doctoral students"
This workshop provides you with the tools and guidance needed to draft your progress report and prepare for your annual status conversation. Through interactive sessions and individual tasks, you will learn to effectively present your scientific progress and discuss your career and personal development.
Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this workshop, you will:
- understand the goals and importance of the progress report and annual status conversation in your doctoral journey
- be able to draft a comprehensive progress report using the ETH template, based on your doctoral plan
- be prepared for the annual status conversation, including understanding the structure and content of the conversation
- be able to identify your strengths, areas for improvement, and how your supervisor can support their development
- become familiar with the resources available at ETH to support your doctorate and professional development.
Registration
Date: Tuesday 23 September 2025
Time: 15:00 - 17:00
Location: MM C 78.1 (Alumni Pavillon)
Registration "Getting ready for the Progress Report and the Annual Status Conversation" will open in August