Responsibilities of the doctoral student, dissertation supervisor and follow-up group

The guidelines also apply to the licentiate degree and licentiate theses where applicable.

Completing the doctoral dissertation and postgraduate studies in accordance with the plan and schedule agreed with the supervisor, and completing the doctoral degree in four years of full-time study or in a net time corresponding to four years of full-time study when studies are pursued on a part-time basis.
Keeping the supervisors actively informed on the progress of the doctoral dissertation, submitting the agreed sections of the dissertation to the supervisors in advance before a supervision meeting, and taking feedback received into consideration.
Observing the responsible conduct of research, as well as the ethical principles of publishing, the research data policy and ethical guidelines for studying at the University of Jyväskylä.
Participating actively in postgraduate study seminars and scientific events or other events promoting the research (e.g. meetings, seminars and conferences) arranged by the department, faculty or University. Upon request, presenting one’s own research in such events and, when possible, participating in national or international conferences, seminars or workshops arranged elsewhere.
Taking responsibility for participation in instruction. Course registrations are binding and must be cancelled in good time, if there is an insurmountable obstacle for attendance. In addition, one must make sure that the course is suitable for the stage of doctoral training when registering for the course.
Active submission of applications to receive funding from sources suitable for doctoral students (e.g. foundations, corporate funding and other supplementary funding, faculty doctoral schools, and doctoral programmes), and discussing and updating the funding plan with the supervisors.
Informing the supervisors and follow-up group of any problems encountered in complying with the research and/or postgraduate study plan.
When necessary, updating the postgraduate study plan and research plan together with the supervisors.
Upon request, submitting a report of the progress of postgraduate studies and/or doctoral dissertation.
Sending the article manuscripts included in the article dissertation to the supervisor for revision before submitting them to the publisher.
Citing the University of Jyväskylä and the student’s department or faculty (affiliation) according to instructions in the author information of scientific publications.
Submitting publications to the Open Science Centre for recording and recording other scientific activities directly in University’s research data system.
When possible, having at least a three-month research visit abroad in a destination that has been agreed with the supervisors and promotes the dissertation work.
Sending the dissertation to be checked with the plagiarism detection software when planning on submitting it for a preliminary examination, at the latest.
Registering as attending or non-attending each academic year.

Guiding the doctoral student when creating and updating the postgraduate study plan, research plan and funding plan.
Guidance and supervision of dissertation work so that the doctoral student will be able to produce a scientifically high-quality dissertation and complete a doctoral degree according to the planned schedule (e.g. in four years maximum time, if postgraduate studies are full-time).
Introducing the doctoral student to the responsible conduct of research, as well as to the ethical principles of publishing and the research data policy of the University of Jyväskylä.
Meeting or otherwise supervising the doctoral student regularly, getting familiar with parts of dissertation before meetings, and giving feedback.
Disseminating instructions and announcements of the Graduate or Doctoral School to the doctoral student and helping in interpreting them in practice when needed.
Encouraging the doctoral student to work initiatively and independently.
Promoting the doctoral student’s integration into the national and international scientific community as well as encouraging him/her to create a peer support network.
Supporting the doctoral student’s career planning by collaboratively discussing his/her career plans and postdoctoral employment opportunities, as well as encouraging the student to proactively create contacts with potential employers already during the doctoral studies.
When possible, participating in the events in which the research of the doctoral student is handled and helping him or her in preparing for these events.
Follow-up of the doctoral student’s postgraduate studies and dissertation progress, as well as submission of an annual progress report upon request.
Directing the doctoral student to take responsibility for participation in instruction so that he or she understands that course registrations are binding and must be cancelled in good time, if there is an insurmountable obstacle for attendance, and that one must make sure that the course is suitable for the stage of doctoral training before registering for the course.
Advising the doctoral student on how to apply for funding and, when possible, taking the financial needs of doctoral training into account (students’ salary, research and travel costs) when applying for project funding.
Following good feedback practices as regards the doctoral student’s research results and performance evaluation (objective, constructive and encouraging).
Writing references and statements of evaluation.
Ensuring that articles included in the article dissertation are eligible for publication before they are submitted to the publisher.
Ensuring that the dissertation manuscript is eligible for preliminary examination.
Asking the student to send the dissertation to be checked with the plagiarism detection software when the student plans to submit it for preliminary examination, at the latest, and interpreting the comparison results.
If the doctoral degree to be completed is made for two or more faculties, assessing the relative input of supervisors from different faculties at the end phase of dissertation work.

Monitoring and supporting the progress of the doctoral student’s dissertation research and studies.
Supporting the doctoral student’s career planning and discussing postdoctoral employment opportunities.
Supporting the doctoral student’s wellbeing in their work and studies.
Informing the specialisation representative of any conflicts related to dissertation supervision.
Expressing an opinion on the progress of the doctoral student’s studies and research when the dissertation’s supervisor-in-charge has proposed deactivation of the doctoral study rights.

The provisions regarding the supervision of doctoral studies are set out in the JYU degree regulations. These are further specified by the vice rector’s decision on the operating practices of the JYU Graduate School.

Degree Regulations of the University of Jyväskylä

Operating practices of the University of Jyväskylä Graduate School (27 March 2026, Intranet Uno)

Responsibilities of the doctoral student, dissertation supervisor and follow-up group

Supervision document

Dissertation requirements

Responsibilities of the doctoral student, dissertation supervisor and follow-up group

Duties of the doctoral student

Duties of the supervisors

Duties of the follow-up group

Supervision document

Dissertation requirements