PhD Coordinator (currently: Herman Geuvers)

• To support and protect the interests of computer science PhD students at the University of Nijmegen in a general sense (not concerning the contents of the PhD work).
• To give advise on PhD matters to individual PhD students, their supervisors, or to the board of the computer science department. In these matters, the PhD coordinator has an independent position. Confidentiality is an important aspect in individual contacts.

• Soon after appointment, every new PhD student will be invited by the PhD coordinator for an introductory meeting. The coordinator is not involved in advertising or selection for PhD positions.
• On a regular basis, the coordinator meets with each PhD student to (confidentially) discuss conditions of work, supervising, progress, and potential or actual problems. Input for such meetings is formed by standard progress reports (OBP, PPP). In case problems are identified the coordinator may decide to talk to other people involved (notably the supervisor), but only after consulting with the head of the department. This may lead to an explicit advise to everyone involved. Every PhD student can him/herself take the initiative to meet the PhD coordinator to (confidentially) discuss relevant matters.
• The coordinator is supposed to be informed of developments which are relevant for PhD students, stemming from:
  • minutes (or actual attendance) of PhD student meetings, provided by the PhD students;
  • relevant decisions from the board of the computer science department, science faculity, or university board, provided by the head of department;
  • the Coordinators own gathering.

• The coordinator can always, whether on request or not, give advise on PhD matters to the board of the computer science department.
• The board will consult the Coordinator when preparing decisions relevant for PhD students.
• The Coordinator is asked for input (typically by the supervisor) during preparation of a ``functioneringsgesprek'' with a PhD student.

The Coordinator can, to a reasonable extent, make use of departmental facilities for his/her tasks.

The Coordinator is appointed by the board of the computer science department. Before this appointment takes place, the board asks the PhD student meeting for advise. This meeting can report to the board in case the Coordinator does not work as (s)he should, or in case of a lack of confidence. Such a report will cause the board to re-consider the position of the Coordinator.

The head of department can take over certain tasks of the coordinator in case of a conflict of interest, for example, in a situation where there is a problem and the coordinator him/herself is the PhD-supervisor.