Starting out, our dual PhD candidate enters an orientation phase, in which initial research ideas are further developed. After that, the dual PhD programme consists of two consecutive phases: the pre-PhD phase and the PhD phase.

Pre-PhD phase

The pre-PhD phase takes one year during which the PhD candidate develops a research proposal. The candidate also takes part in the education programme and is individually coached by advisors of the Centre. The research proposal is discussed with the director of the Centre. If the proposal is accepted, an intended academic supervisor is identified and the candidate enters the PhD phase. The Dual PhD Centre cooperates closely with the faculties and professors of Leiden University who may act as supervisor. They are legally responsible for the academic quality of  PhD research. 

Education 
Education is a crucial element contributing to the scientific quality of research in general. It also plays an important part in the dual PhD programme. Additional education is based on the needs of dual PhD candidates and on academic insights regarding failure and success factors in PhD trajectories.

Many dual PhD candidates work in jobs that do not include any academic work or research elements. It is therefore important that the PhD candidates can actively refresh their knowledge and that they update their academic research and working skills.  

To this end, our programme offers various compulsory courses and meetings of excellent, state-of-the art quality. Through these, PhD candidates will obtain skills that are crucial for conducting succesful PhD research and for achieving independence as a researcher. In addition to this, PhD candidates can pick and choose various electives. They will have to spend a minimum of 20 hours on electives to successfully complete the pre-PhD phase of the dual PhD programme.

PhD research proposal
During the pre-PhD year dual PhD candidates work on completing their research proposal. They will also recieve intensive coaching if this is deemed necessary. At the end of the pre-PhD phase, the research proposal is submitted to the director of the Centre. Together with two other academic staff members, the research proposal will be evaluated.

Considerations for proposal acceptance are e.g.: does the research proposal have potential? Is it feasible and original? And how do the research ideas relate to the candidate’s own educational and professional background, to one of the academic disciplines of the graduate schools of Leiden University, and to the expertise of one of the Leiden University professors?

If and when the research proposal is accepted, it will be submitted to a suitable academic supervisor.

PhD phase

During the PhD phase the final accepted research proposal is implemented and the thesis is written. This process usually takes two to three years. PhD students are enrolled in the graduate school of the faculty of your supervisor.

All PhD programmes at Leiden University are organized in graduate schools. During the PhD phase, the candidate will also be coached by his/her own academic supervisor and by advisors of the Dual PhD Centre. Special attention will be devoted to establishing optimal working conditions that have the consent of all parties involved, the PhD candidate, the academic supervisor(s), the employer, and the Dual PhD Centre.

Individual coaching & intervision

A dual PhD candidate discusses his or her progress with advisors of the Dual PhD Centre on a regular basis. It is recommended and useful to consult staff members about the research proposal, the methodology before data collection, data-analysis, etcetera. In general, the PhD candidate takes the initiative to plan a meeting via the Office Management. There are official semi-annual evaluation interviews with the director of the Centre.

Next to individual coaching, the progress of the dual PhD candidates is discussed during various meetings, such as lunch sessions and theme groups. During these ‘intervision meetings’, a doctoral candidate presents his or her research to the group of PhD students and the staff of the Centre. These meetings also serve to discuss general academic issues such as academic integrity, copyright, and the development of a research question. Guest speakers may join every now and then.