Roles and Responsibilities of the Scientific Supervisor

 

        The scientific supervisor ensures compliance of the research results with the requirements set for PhD dissertations.

        The scientific supervisor advises the PhD student on the design of an individual research plan, meanwhile making corrections and changes due to changes occurring in the research project or refinement of the dissertation topic.

        To carry out their research, the supervisor assists their students to plan their research studies, including providing them scientific and methodological guidance to define their research topic, identify schemes and specific tasks, and verify validity of research results. With the immediate assistance and guidance of the scientific supervisor, the research proposal is outlined, dissertation topic is formulated, its topicality, tasks, research methodology are set, validity of results and the scope of their practical application are determined.

 

        The scientific supervisor

  • identifies the relevant research literature, reference, statistic and archival databases and other relevant sources related to the research topic,

  • maintains regular contact with their students as set by the schedule through meetings or consultation, provides guidance on the appropriateness of making this or that decision,

  • oversees and assesses the content of the research and its outcomes, both in parts and on the whole,

  • monitors the design of the dissertation as per the set technical requirements, as well as the application of the scientific apparatus and the critical skills of presenting scientific texts,

  • reads, comments on and proofreads the drafts of research articles prior to submission and assists in their publication,

  • provides guidance on how to outline the validity of research results and recommendations, their reliability and novelty.

 

        The supervisors must have high qualifications within the relevant academic field. Furthermore, they must hold the doctor of science degree in the corresponding field of knowledge. The holders of Ph.D. can also be appointed if they have a special authorization from SCC.

        To acquire this authorization the candidate supervisor must present to SCC a letter of recommendation from the director of the establishment or institution and a list of at least 30 published papers in the specific field of knowledge, 5 of which published in the last 5 years.

        SCC is to be notified in writing about the approval of the academic advisor and the topic of the thesis.