To ensure that your project and research plan is feasible, to appoint supervisors and to set up your educational component, you submit your PhD agreement.
The complete PhD agreement consists of a project description, a completed agreement form and relevant supporting documents. You and your supervisors collaborate on writing your agreement and project description. You submit your agreement using our online checklist within 2 months after starting your PhD position.
Attachments and the process
Below you find detailed information about the PhD agreement and what attachments you will be asked to deliver in the online form.
Prepare your research proposal
The project description is the key part of your application and must demonstrate good academic quality. The project description (from 4 to 10 pages) must adhere to the respective department’s/unit’s project description guidelines.
Specific guidelines
- Institute of Theoretical Astrophysics (.docx)
- Department of Biosciences (.docx)
- Department of Pharmacy (.docx)
- Department of Physics (.docx)
- Department of Geosciences (.docx)
- Department of Informatics
- Department of Chemistry (.docx)
- Department of Mathematics
- Department of Technology Systems (.docx)
- Natural History Museum (.pdf)
- The Norwegian Centre for Science Education (.docx)
Compile all required attachments
You will be asked to upload the following attachments:
- Your completed and signed PhD agreement form
- Your project description
In addition, if relevant:
- Course description of special syllabus/-i and/or research course/-s you are including in your educational component
- Confirmation of already passed courses you are including in your educational component
- REK approval and/or recommendation from Sikt (Norwegian Agency for Shared Services in Education and Research) for projects that will include processing of personal data or conduct health-related research
In addition, for candidates who apply for having an external principal supervisor (not employed at UiO or UNIS):
- The external principal supervisor's CV and publication list
- An application to have an external principal supervisor (.docx)
In addition, for candidates employed at UiO, but outside the MN faculty or the Natural history museum:
Review our learning outcomes
It is important to consult the PhD programme learning outcomes. Ensure that your project and courses align with and contribute to achieving the expected learning outcomes as outlined in the PhD programme description.
Supervision and the induction conversation
You will be followed up by at least two actively functioning supervisors throughout the PhD programme.
At the initial stage of the supervision, you and your main supervisor must agree on the framework for the supervision, i.e. progress plan and expectations for guidance etc. Having conducted the mandatory induction conversation is a requirement for admission.
Decide which courses you will take
In the application form, you must provide a list of the courses you want to take as part of your PhD.
What happens after I deliver the PhD agreement?
Once you have submitted your PhD agreement proposal, you will receive a confirmation email from us. There is no further action required on your part unless your department/unit contacts you for additional information or changes.
Your PhD agreement will undergo evaluation by the PhD council at your department before being forwarded to the Faculty for final approval. The purpose of the evaluation is to ensure the quality of your project, and enable adjustments at an early stage.
Following approval at the Faculty, you will receive an official letter confirming your PhD agreement with the Faculty.
Changes to the PhD agreement
You can make changes to your PhD agreement after the it has been approved, but you must apply to make changes.