FAQ RIHS PhD program

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FAQ RIHS PhD program

FAQs

Below you will find some frequently asked questions. If your question is not covered please contact rihs@radboudumc.nl of phone 14639.

How can I check if I am registered at the RIHS Graduate School?
You are registered at the RIHS Graduate School if you have received the mail with information for new PhD candidates.
In this Cheat Sheet you find useful information for starting PhD candidates.
Why is it important for me to complete a Training & Supervision Plan (TSP)?
The Training & Supervision Plan (TSP) is an important tool for you to monitor your progress throughout your PhD. It clearly states who you supervisors are, your mentor as well as other important information such as goals to be achieved each year. The TSP is an integral part of your annual appraisal discussions with your supervisor(s) and should be updated on a yearly basis.
This has been compulsory since 1 March 2016 for all PhD candidates who have a fixed employment contract with Radboudumc for the duration of the PhD track (see RadboudumcTraining Regulation). This regulation will also apply by analogy as far as possible to employees who are enrolled in a PhD track but are not employed by Radboud university medical center as researcher in training.
For promotions from 2018 onwards, the promotional bonus awarded to the department of the first promotor is dependent on having an approved TSP. There must be at least 2 years between submission of the approved TSP and the date of PhD defense.
Where can I find the latest forms?
You should always use the latest version of the TSP forms. They can be found on the download page of the PhD program website.
Do I need to update my TSP every year?
Yes. Within 3 months from the start date of your contract you should submit a completed registration form in Hora Est PhD. Annually you should complete a Progress Form.
When should I complete the Exit Form?
The Exit Form should be completed at the end of your PhD period at the time of submission of your thesis to the manuscript committee or immediately upon premature termination of your project.
I have decided to stop my PhD what should I do?
Please inform the RIHS Graduate School of your decision.
Why is it important for me to have a mentor?
As an independent person the mentor can monitor your progress or give career advice. Importantly, should any problems or difficulties arise, the mentor is available for help. You should meet your mentor minimally on a yearly basis. Mentor guidelines are available here.
How do I get a mentor?
You are requested to suggest a personal mentor and you should invite this person by yourself. A mentor should be an associate or full professor who does not work in your department and who is not involved in your PhD project.
How often should I contact my mentor?
You should meet with your mentor at the start of your project and once per year thereafter. It is your responsibility to arrange a yearly meeting with the mentor. In case of problems you should contact your mentor immediately.
For more information

click here
If there are changes concerning promotors and/or co-promotors, Marloes de Jonge can adapt this in Hora Est.
Why is the peer-2-peer welcome meeting necessary?
PhD candidate members of the PhD council will meet you in a small group of fellow PhD candidates that have just started to provide background information about the RIHS PhD program and other PhD related affairs. It is a great way to meet some of your colleagues and get handy tips for success!
What is the difference between the Radboudumc introduction meeting and the peer-2-peer welcome?
The Radboudumc introduction meeting is a general Radboudumc introduction and provides more general information regarding topics such as the goals, structure and organization of Radboudumc. The peer-2-peer welcome is specific for the RIHS, and focuses more on the RIHS PhD program. As both introductions are complementary, you should follow both.
What is the RIHS Introduction course and is it compulsory?
This course is mandatory and will provide you with insights, tips and tricks at the start of your PhD track. The course answers questions such as:
In what kind of environment am I doing my research? What is the research climate here? What is expected from me as a PhD candidate? What do I have to do to be successful given the time constraints? What drives me in my research? What are my talents and how do I exploit these optimally? Is the academic world my world or should I also focus on career opportunities elsewhere? Can I wait with such orientation until the final stage of my PhD or should I start earlier?
This course is offered 3 times a year, immediately following the Radboudumc international introduction day.
See our website for the tentative program.
What does the RIHS introduction course cost?
The RIHS introduction course is completely free. Course material, dinner, pubquiz and lunch are included.
Most answers and downloads

can be found in the time-line for new PhD candidates.

How can I log in in Hora Est PhD?

Please check our user manual for PhD candidates or the manual for supervisors, promotors and mentors.

What is Hora Est and is it compulsory to complete?
It is mandatory for all PhD candidates of the Radboud University (Medical Center), which includes the RIHS, to register in Hora Est. Hora Est is a database that can monitor the progress of every PhD candidate from the beginning till the end of his/her PhD project.

The Hora Est form must be signed by yourself and your supervisor and sent to Hora est together with your copy diploma. You do not have to get the signature from the Dean - this will be arranged by us once we have received your application.
Postal address hora est
Postbus Hora Est
624 Concernstaf Strategieontwikkeling

Or:

Radboudumc / Postbus Hora Est
624 Concernstaf Strategie
P.O. Box 9101
6500 HB Nijmegen
The Netherlands

Who can I ask for help completing Hora Est
More about Hora Est can be found in the time-line for new PhD candidates. If this doesn't help you can send an email to horaest@radboudumc.nl or phone 92499.
If you do not have a Master's degree, you have to mention this in Hora Est.
As a master student, you formally do not meet the requirements to be admitted to the PhD trajectory. Therefore you can not participate in the RIHS graduate program until you have a contract as a PhD candidate.
Sponsoring thesis 250 euro

The condition for this sponsoring by the Institute is that you fulfill these requirements.

There is no minimum number of EC points that you have to achieve during your PhD trajectory.

European Credits (EC) are primarily meant to quantify transferable skills and competencies learnt. As such work placements spent in other laboratories do not count for EC points. One EC equates to 28 hours of study.

Below a standardized number of points awarded per course by using specific examples. This is by no mean an exhaustive list of possibilities. Totals should be rounded up/down as appropriate. For your portfolio, group similar events together per year.

Course type + self participation	Duration	Self study / preparation time	EC points	Additional info
Technical forum	2 hours	< 1 hour	0.1
Workshop, masterclass	4 hours	1-2 hours	0.2
Workshop	1 week	< 10 hours	1.75
Online workshop	-	1 week	1.25	Certificate of completion required
Visiting a seminar, lecture	1-3 hours	-	0.1
Visiting scientific conference	1 day	-	0.25
Giving oral or poster presentation at Local or National event	-	7 hours	0.25	In addition to EC’s gained by visiting event
Giving oral or poster presentation at International event	-	14 hours	0.5	In addition to EC’s gained by visiting event
PhD retreat excluding oral or poster presentation	2 days		0.5
Journal club	12 in total	4	1	Assuming one journal club is presented by student
Student internship coaching	3 months	-	1	Approx 30 min supervision per day
Teaching	1	1	0.1	1 hour preparation time per hour contact teaching
Committee chairperson or secretary	Per year	-	1
Committee member	Per year	-	0.5
Organizing a Workshop / Technical Forum	-	14	0.5
Co-organizing a 1-2 day PhD retreat	-	56	2
Co-organizing a 1-2 day conference	-	56	2
Review scientific publication	-	1-3 hours	0.1
Writing a blog post about your PhD	-	3 hours	0.1
Making a vlog about your PhD	-	6 hours	0.2

What are the requirements for a thesis?
See for the requirements of a doctoral thesis here.

What contributions can I expect for thesis printing costs?
The maximum reimbursement is 2,200 Euro for each PhD candidate.
For further details, please consult the time-line for graduating PhD candidates or go to www.ru.nl/phd.
What does the PhD Council do?
- Taking responsiblity for PhD program design, evaluation, and policy
- Participate in Training and supervision committee
- Organizing general components
- Approving elective components
- Providing a link between PhD candidates and the RIHS management
- Organizing the annual PhD retreat and social events
How can I join the PhD Council?
You would be very welcome to join the PhD Council. You can send an email to the RIHS PhD council.
For publications, please note the correct affiliation of our institute:

Radboud university medical center, Radboud Institute for Health Sciences, Department of [name], Nijmegen, The Netherlands.

OR

Radboud university medical center, Radboud Institute for Health Sciences, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.