Contract for PhD studies
This contract is valid for doctoral studies and is based on the Standards and requirements for
the quality of doctoral programmes at the University of Iceland, see website:
http://midstodframhaldsnams.hi.is/standards-and-requirements-quality-doctoral-programmesuniversity-iceland
This contract is made between the PhD student
___________________________________________
ID. _______________________________(„PhD student“)
At the Faculty of Medicine, University of Iceland and the
supervisor:_____________________________________________________________
1. The project:
The PhD student will work on the research project („project“) ________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
during the time period of _______________ to______________(„study period“).
2. The role of the supervisor:
2.1
The supervisor explains to the student the demands regarding the project and gives
him/her encouragement and support.
2.2
The supervisor advises the PhD student, e.g. on the following:
 Defining the subject, definition of aims and research questions
 Designing a research plan, including long-term and short-term working plans
 Acquisition of research data, their analysis and interpretation
 Presentation of results
 Composition of the thesis
2.3
The supervisor acquires appropriate permissions
2.4
The supervisor monitors and assesses progress with reference to the research and
study plan. The supervisor assists the PhD student to tackle any problems that may
arise such as regarding ethical issues in the research, technical problems and other
matters. The supervisor calls the PhD student to a meeting when he/she deems
necessary.
Vatnsmyrarvegi 16 - 101 Reykjavik - Tel. + 354 525 4881 - medicine@hi.is - www.laeknadeild.hi.is
3. The role of the PhD student:
3.1
The PhD student is responsible for his/her studies and students at the PhD level are
expected to be able to work independently.
3.2
The PhD student works according to the accepted research plan
3.3
The PhD student shall at the end of each spring and autumn term deliver a Study
Progress Report to the relevant Faculty. The report shall be confirmed by the
supervisor. The report shall account for progress in the doctoral project, ECTS that
have been completed, published papers, participation in conferences, participation in
teaching and expected end of study.
3.4
The PhD student can at his/her initiative ask for a meeting with the supervisor and
informs the supervisor about progress in his/her PhD studies.
3.5
The PhD student adheres to general rules of the University of Iceland and/or
collaborators (institutions/companies) on safety and working practices, including rules
on confidentiality and privacy.
4. Study facilities:
The PhD student will have research and working facilities at:
____________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
which are appropriate for the project. Working facilities include i.a. access to an office and/or
desk, intranet, e-mail, software, printing and other computer services, telephone, library,
photocopying, canteen (if available), research facilities and equipment.
With his/her signature the relevant person responsible for a laboratory/institution/department
guarantees the observance of general safety, welfare and health of the PhD student within a
safe and healthy working environment according the Act on Working Environment, Health
and Safety in Workplaces, No. 46/1980.
5. Right to publish:
The University of Iceland is the owner of original data issuing from the project but the
doctoral student and his/her supervisor and co-authors are the owners of copyrighted
material, including books and articles. The doctoral student shall return all original data to the
supervisor in a legible form at the end of his/her studies. This applies even if the results of
the research have been published in open forum. The parties of this contract are permitted to
agree on copying of data.
If the supervisor considers the results of the doctoral project that were not already published
as part of the doctoral thesis suitable for general publication the doctoral student shall hand
in the relevant part of a/the manuscript(s) for (a) scientific paper(s) for publication in a peerreviewed scientific journal within 6 months from the end of his/her doctoral studies. The
doctoral student shall then be listed as an author, but the order of authors will be according
to contribution. The supervisor will normally be the last (senior) author. If the doctoral student
does not hand in a manuscript within the specified time limit the supervisor is free to use data
from the student’s research project for publication. In such cases the student shall be offered
to be a co-author.
Please submit the contract when signed to the Faculty of Medicine Office, Læknagarður, 4th level
6. Intellectual property:
The supervisor and/or the doctoral student have the duty and responsibility to inform the
Intellectual Property Committee University of Iceland and Landspitali University Hospital of
any inventions or applicable discoveries issuing from the project. Such notification must be
received before the invention/discovery is published either verbally or in writing. Inventions
made by supervisors and/or doctoral students are subject to Act No. 72/2004 regarding
Employees´ Inventions and the operating rules of the Intellectual Property Committee
University of Iceland and Landspitali University Hospital.
7 . Confidentiality:
Any knowledge gained by the student on research and development by his/her supervisor or
other collaborators shall be confidential and remain so regardless of the time frame of this
agreement.
Date:________________________
PhD student:_______________________________________________________________
Supervisor:_______________________________________________________________
Person responsible on behalf of laboratory/institute:
______________________________________________________________
This contract is valid for 54 months from signing except for the clause on confidentiality and if
stated otherwise. Students are urged to familiarize themselves carefully with rules on doctoral
studies as well as the Standards and requirements for the quality of doctoral programmes at
the University of Iceland and the University of Iceland Code of Ethics.
Please submit the contract when signed to the Faculty of Medicine Office, Læknagarður, 4th level