The nature of cooperation between the supervisor and the doctoral student is varied and depends on the form of conducting the scientific work. Currently, the doctoral degree may be obtained by a student who pursues their studies at a doctoral school or on an external basis. The doctoral school enables formalized and administratively monitored cooperation between the supervisor and the doctoral student. However, the legislator imposed certain requirements, therefore not every independent researcher can become a supervisor. This function may be performed a person who: did not supervise two doctoral students who had received negative reviews; was not previously the supervisor of four doctoral students who had been removed from the doctoral student register due to the negative result of the mid-term assessment. The Rules and Regulations of the International Doctoral School (IDS) indicate the need of being involved in continuous scientific activity, i.e. have scientific achievements in the form of articles published, in the period of three years preceding assuming the duties of the supervisor, in scientific Impact Factor journals, scientific journals or international peer-reviewed materials from international conferences, included in the current list announced by the Minister of Science and Higher Education. The doctoral student must successfully complete the recruitment process in which their previous achievements, knowledge of English and substantive preparation to conduct research in a specific discipline are assessed.
The basic task of the supervisor is to introduce the doctoral student to the scientific community, monitor work progress, support active participation in seminars, scientific conferences, research internships, as well as to provide assistance in obtaining external funds for research financing and supervision over the implementation of the research task specified in the Individual Research Plan. Providing support in shaping research attitudes and skills is also extremely important. During the education process, the doctoral student not only prepares a dissertation, but also learns the specifics of research work to prepare themselves for conducting research independently in the future, also in cooperation with other scientists, also from abroad. Due to the numerous tasks described above, the supervisor should also consider whether they are able to devote enough time to provide the doctoral student with the support required. Therefore, a researcher who has a lot of various obligations should consider their availability in advance. Currently, one supervisor can provide guidance to not more than three doctoral students of the IDS at the same time.
Good relations between the supervisor and the doctoral student are based on regular communication, which is often established before recruitment to the doctoral school (scientific clubs, individual forms of study, scientific conferences). Such previous experiences may give an idea of the quality of future relationships between the supervisor and the doctoral school candidate.
It is also advisable to define transparent rules of cooperation. The expectations of both parties should be clarified as early as possible, which means that research and financial issues as well as time availability, method and frequency of contact should be agreed on. It is also extremely important to determine in advance the share of each party in the common scientific achievements.
The Individual Research Plan (IRP) is prepared by the doctoral student in consultation with the supervisor. It must include a schedule for research and preparation of the doctoral dissertation, methods of achieving the learning outcomes at level 8 of the Polish Qualifications Framework (PQF) and the time limit for submitting the doctoral dissertation. The preparation of the IRP should be carefully considered since its implementation is analyzed in the mid-term assessment, following completion of the second year of study. The assessment is carried out by a committee whose members are also research staff members employed with other research entities. Both the doctoral student and the supervisor are assessed. If research plans are modified, the IPB may be updated.
Throughout the whole educational process at the Doctoral School, the supervisor should not only monitor the progress of the doctoral student’s work but also support and guide them at every stage of their research. Approval of annual reports is also a helpful tool for verification of planned activities.
Submitting a doctoral dissertation ends the educational process at the doctoral school and requires obtaining a positive opinion from the supervisor. It is worth emphasizing that a doctoral student submits a doctoral dissertation twice, i.e. first at the end of the educational process at the doctoral school (this stage confirms the achievement of learning outcomes at level 8 of the PQF and the dissertation remains in the archives of the Doctoral School), and then at the initiation of the procedure for awarding the doctoral degree under the terms and conditions specified by the relevant Scientific Discipline Council.
Since the doctoral scholarship at the doctoral school is awarded for a period of 48 months only, the time limit for submitting the doctoral dissertation should take into account not only the schedule of research but also the continuity of financial support for the doctoral student. Submitting a doctoral dissertation just before the end of the 4th year of study results in the doctoral student remaining without financial resources at the subsequent stages of preparation for the dissertation defense. A doctoral student who submitted their doctoral dissertation before the set date of completion of studies stipulated in the programme of studies receives the doctoral scholarship until the day on which the time limit for completion of studies ends, however, no longer than for a period of six months