Doctoral studies at the Department of Physics

The Department of Physics PhD Council (in Swedish "Fysikums doktorandråd") is the assembly of all PhD students at the Department of Physics at Stockholm University. Its purpose is to represent the interests of the PhD students in the different committees, boards and councils within the department and the university. This page is mantained by the PhD Council representative.

The Department of Physics PhD Council webpage

In order to be admitted to the postgraduate programme, the applicant must satisfy the conditions for basic eligibility and the conditions for special eligibility, and have the skills as needed to complete their education.

Eligibility, application and admission

A condition for admission, in addition to possessing the required educational qualifications, is that the student will have sufficient economic support during the whole period of study, normally 4 years full time study. In most cases you will be employed as PhD student for your period of studies.

Study funding during postgraduate education

A supervision group consisting of two or more supervisors is appointed for each student in connection with admission at the Department of Physics.

One is appointed as the main supervisor, the others as assistant supervisors. Applications of change of roles of supervisors or appointment of additional assistant supervisors should be made in writing to the director of postrgraduate studies.

In each research division there is also a division responsible, who is the contact person in all issues concerning the division and its members.

The Mentor system at Fysikum

It has been decided that every PhD student at Fysikum should have a mentor. The mentor is in practice not from the same division as the PhD student. The mentor can also be external to Fysikum.

A short description of the mentor system is given below.

Purpose of the mentor system:

• Give each PhD student an independent senior discussion partner.
• Meetings that give the opportunity to reflect over work environment, PhD studies and carrier.
• The PhD student has opportunity to discuss urgent or reoccurring problems with a person that follows the development.
• It is important to acknowledge that the PhD student sets the agenda of the meeting. However, general topics to consider are (i) work environment, (ii) supervision,
  (iii) time management, (iv) work/life balance, (v) well-being, and (vi) career.
  

Procedure around the meeting between the mentor and the PhD student:

• Meetings at least once each semester.
• The meetings are confidential.

The PhD student is expected to:

• Contact the mentor for arranging a meeting (at least twice a year)
• Prepare for the meeting: Think about what you want to discuss. Consider bringing up each of the general topics above at least at one mentorship meeting during your PhD studies.

The mentor is expected to:

• Reach out to the student at least once a year, if the student has not taken the initiative for a meeting. Reminding the student that they are available for them, without making it sound mandatory.
• Prepare by browsing through the latest individual study plan.
• Create a relaxed and trustworthy atmosphere during the mentorship meeting.
• Keep what is said during the mentorship meeting confidential, unless the student gives explicit permission to share the information with relevant people.
• Give room for the PhD student to express thoughts.
• Support initiatives and give frank feedback.
• Encourage the PhD student to discuss at least one of the general topics each meeting.
• Be knowledgeable about polices, deadlines and requirements of the doctoral program (if mentor is from Fysikum).
• Follow up on previously identified issues, and guide the student how to get the required help.
• With the PhD student’s permission, take action for resolving any issues that are raised. Taking action typically means forwarding the information to the subject responsible, the director of post-graduate studies, or the head of the department.

As a mentor, you are welcome to, but not required to:

• Be a scientific asset.
• Be involved in career planning.

Responsibility of the director of postgraduate education:

• To perform a yearly anonymous survey asking mentors for us information about their general impressions of the situation for the PhD students, and of reoccurring or serious problems.
• Assist those new students who find it difficult to identify a mentor with finding a suitable first mentor.
• Report these impression to KUF and at the yearly meeting for supervisors.

The framework for doctoral education is given by the general syllabus for the subject. The education at this level is highly specific to the research programme conducted by the doctoral student. Therefore, each doctoral student must have an individual study plan (ISP). In connection with the annual revision of the study plan, the doctoral student has a development review.

Read more about Study plan for PhD students

The course requirement for a PhD is 60 ECTS credits. Courses on this level can look different. They can be "normal" courses at the advanced level or courses created by teachers in the Department of Physics research divisions which are tailored for PhD education. Periods of self-study with science texts or active participation in a summer school may also constitute a course. All planned courses should appear in your Individual study plan(ISP). Your supervisor decides on the value of a course, in terms of credits.

Courses for PhD students

Seminars

All PhD students are expected to take an active part in seminars arranged by their own research group as well as those arranged within AlbaNova. Students should also give their own seminars.

Seminar on ethical questions

All PhD students must attend a seminar on ethical questions in science. The seminar is arranged by the mathematical-physics section of the science faculty once per semester. Invitations are emailed.

The Licentiate thesis should be based on research corresponding to at least 60 credits (out of 120 credits required for the degree). The PhD thesis corresponds to at least 180 credits (out of 240 credits required for the degree). The licentiate as well as the PhD thesis can be written as a monograph or it can comprise a collection of separate articles. In the latter case the thesis consists of a summary and referenced articles published in scientific magazines. The Science Faculty has issued a document with rules and recommendations regarding the content and organization of the PhD thesis, found here pdf, 152.9 kB. (in Swedish only so far). More information on rules for dissertations can be found in the Handbook for Postgraduate Students from the Swedish Council for Higher Education (UHR).

Read more about the Licenciate degree
Read more about the PhD dissertation