BY GIULIA FABRIZI AND CHRISTIEN BOOMSMA
The Faculty of Science and Engineering (FSE) is introducing a bonus for those who complete their PhD within 4.5 years. However, the previously proposed penalty for taking longer has now been scrapped.
Initially, there was talk of a so-called ‘bonus/penalty scheme’. But upon reflection, the faculty board no longer sees the latter as a good idea.
‘After all, efforts are still being made to bring older PhD trajectories (longer than 6/7 years) to a successful conclusion’, a memo to the faculty council reads. ‘If we miss out on these, it will also lead to a loss of income.’
Slow progress
FSE has long struggled with relatively slow PhD completion times. A survey last year revealed that fewer than half of all PhD candidates complete their degree within five years.
This costs the university extra money in supervision and workspace. Moreover, some PhD students never complete their dissertations at all, meaning the faculty loses out on the graduation bonus entirely.
PhD candidates, in turn, often linger at the faculty without a contract – and therefore without income.
Dean Joost Frenken previously stated that a cultural shift was needed: ‘Many supervisors think a PhD is only worthwhile if it includes five chapters or if the candidate has published five articles. But that’s not what the law says.’
Concerns
To encourage candidates to complete their PhD on time, FSE is now implementing a bonus system. Research groups will receive a higher graduation bonus for PhDs completed within 4.5 years. PhDs that take longer will receive the standard bonus.
However, members of the faculty council voiced concerns about the new plan last week. Could it negatively impact those who become pregnant or take on council work? ‘Because life happens’, said Eva Teuling. ‘And they might feel like they’re costing the group money.’
According to dean Frenken, one day won’t be the deciding factor. ‘Registering all the details would require a mountain of administration. We don’t want that. But if the council notices that this is happening, please let us know.’