Erasmus Graduate School of Law has the task of guiding PhD researchers through their PhD trajectory towards successfully completing their doctoral thesis.
By offering a comprehensive educational programme, monitoring the progress of the research and assisting PhD researchers throughout their PhD track, EGSL strives to offer a supportive, inspiring and dynamic research and work environment. That environment should enable PhD researchers to thrive and get the most out of their time as PhD researchers and prepare themselves for a future career in a variety of legal professions (in and outside academia).
For full-time PhD researchers, a PhD project shall last up to 4 years (or in case of teaching tasks, in 4,5 or 5 years). External and part-time PhD researchers are expected to deliver their thesis in 6 years.
EGSL has established a two-phased structure for the four-year doctoral programme: a probationary phase of 18 months, followed by the remaining 30 months of the doctoral programme. A go/no-go evaluation after one year forms the bridge between the probationary phase and the second phase.
For a schematic overview of the EGSL policy (requirements, educational programme and monitoring), look at the flowchart.
Career development
A PhD trajectory at Erasmus University Rotterdam involves more than research and writing a dissertation. It is also a period dedicated to personal and career development, and strengthening and maintaining your well-being.
During the PhD programme, PhD researchers develop transferable skills that are also relevant outside academia. These skills are important and useful in various roles and contexts, for both personal growth and professional development. Transferable skills facilitate adaptability to different (professional) opportunities.
To support career development and the acquisition of transferable skills, Erasmus University Rotterdam and Erasmus Graduate School of Law (EGSL) offer a variety of resources:
Erasmus University Rotterdam:
- a wide range of training opportunities for PhD researchers through TOP (the training and development platform of Erasmus University), such as the Career Swifters program for PhD researchers.
- a specific programme for PhD researchers during the EUR career and wellbeing month programme.
- access to GoodHabitz, an online learning platform offering a broad selection of courses. (1)
EGSL:
By conducting your research, you will develop valuable transferable skills. Some of these skills are also integrated in the EGSL educational programme.
- PhD researchers develop and apply in-depth expertise on the topic of their research. Not only for the academic world: they are also able to act as an expert and sparring partner for (societal) organisations outside the university.
- PhD researchers are able to draft a research proposal, including designing a research study and selecting and applying relevant research methods (EGSL courses: Research Lab, Introduction to Research Methods, The Empirical Research Cycle, Research Design 1)
- A PhD researcher also requires critical thinking and design thinking. (EGSL courses: Research Lab, Writing Clinic)
- PhD researchers develop (academic) writing skills (EGSL courses: Writing Clinic, Research Design 2, Academic Writing in English)
- PhD researchers learn to collaborate with their supervisors and other colleagues in their project (teamwork) and develop communication skills. (EGSL courses: Managing your PhD, Communicate your PhD research)
- The PhD trajectory was/is a project that requires proper project management, time management and planning skills. (EGSL course: Managing your PhD)
- PhD researchers have to take personal leadership of their PhD project and improved their personal effectiveness, by working independently on their PhD thesis.
- PhD researchers develop their presentation skills and learn how to communicate about their PhD research and to present themselves (EGSL course: Communicate your PhD research, EGSL activities: presenting at the EGSL Review Day and the EGSL PhD Research Seminars).
- PhD researchers develop networking skills, by visiting conferences or other meetings and academic gathering in and outside the university, both national and international.
- PhD researchers learn to deal with ethical dilemma’s and are familiar with the rules and guidelines with regard to data management (EGSL courses: Academic integrity & responsible research, Workshop Research Data Management).
- Some PhD researchers have a teaching task as well: they develop teaching experience and gain didactical skills (EUR course: BKU: Basic Didactic Competence)
(1) Only accessible for employed PhD researchers