PhD Candidate Rights

Sverre Lundemo

Information day for PhD candidates27.10.2008

The interest organization for doctoral candidates at NTNU

DION

The interest organization for doctoral candidates at NTNU(Doktorkandidatenes interesseorganisasjon ved NTNU)• Represent the PhD candidates at NTNU• Answers hearings on behalf of the PhD candidates• Assists candidates that encounter problems in relation to the

university system• Cooperation with labor organizations such as

Forskerforbundet (Norwegian Association of Research Workers) and Tekna (The Norwegian Society of Chartered Technical and Scientific Professionals)

• Does NOT give legal assistance

What is a PhD candidate at NTNU?

• Temporary employee (exception: Quota program)• Regulated through ”Forskrift om ansettelsesvilkår for

stillinger som postdoktor, stipendiat, vitenskapelig assistent og spesialistkandidat”.

• IMPORTANT: You are EMPLOYEES!!• Thus the Civil Servants Act and the Health and Safety at

Work Act applies• PhD-education is regulated locally through Regulations

concerning the philosophiae doctor degree (PhD) at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU)

• http://www.ntnu.no/studies/phd/forms

Two important documents

1. Contract of employment • Regulates working conditions• Agreement between the PhD candidate and

the financers (NTNU through the faculty, external institutions, e.g. SINTEF…)

• Salary, working hours (37.5) and work environment

• Appraisal interviews (Medarbeidersamtaler), codetermination

• Demand for acceptance to PhD-education and duty work

Two important documents

2. PhD-contract• Regulates issues concerning the research• Contract between PhD candidate, Department,

Supervisor(s), Faculty and external institutions• Plan of education and research• Part A – Between PhD cand. and institution• Part B – Between PhD cand. and supervisor(s)• Part C – Between PhD cand., institution and

external institution• Mutual duties

Duty Work

How much?• Determined by the work contract (typically 25%,

i.e. one year or approximately 1688 hours) • What kind of work?• If possible relevant for your PhD• Normally no more than 10% administrative work• Up to the institution to decide• Large differences! • Write hours!! Too much work will hurt YOU!

Duty Work

It is the duty of the institution to ensure that the amount of duty work is not more than the amount defined by the work contract

IMPORTANT: More duty work will take time from your research! Keep control of the hours, and tell your head of department!

Leave of Absence

What reasons extends your contract?

From the regulations (Forskrift om ansettelsesvilkår for stillinger som…)

• Any leave of absence defined by law or wage agreement.

• Central positions in national PhD organizations• Reduced work time due to (extraordinary) care for

children or close family• Temporary (short) research or teaching positions

But, as a general rule: Must be longer than two weeks(some exceptions, i.e. due to extraordinary care)

Leave of Absence

As defined by the Working Environment Act §12:• Maternity clinic check-up• Maternity leave• Leave due to care (paternity leave, adoption parents)• Sick child leave• Sick child care leave• Breast-feed leave• Care for relatives• Education• Military service• Public office• Dispute resolutions

Working Capital (Driftsmidler)

• Working capital follows the PhD candidate and is supposed to cover literature, conferences etc.

• Should NOT cover– Standard work space– Standard equipment (e.g. standard PC)– Costs related to the disputation, printing of thesis…

• Recommended for 2008: 42.000 NOK (NTNU)

Who controls the use of the working capital? The PhD candidate in relation with the supervisor

NB! Differences between departments

If you get problems: Say something!

• Leave: Get documentation and apply for extension

• Problems between you and your supervisor: Talk with your supervisor, co-supervisor, head of department AS SOON AS POSSIBLE

• Labour legislation related problems: Contact your labour union

• DION can help you with who to contact

Who to contact

Officially:• Supervisor• Head of department• Personnel safety representative

Informally:• Representative in Department or Faculty Council• DION• Labour Union

Some extra info about DION..

• Board meetings once a month, open for everybody

• www.dion.ntnu.no

• post@dion.no

• Feel free to join us! You decide how much you want to do.

Thank you for your attention!