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Your primary point of contact is your supervisory team. Regular interaction is recommended, typically weekly with your co-supervisor (copromotor) and monthly with your supervisor (promotor). See Supervisory team for more details on forming your supervisory team and their responsibilities. Additionally, refer to the PhD Supervisor website for insights into our vision on effective supervision at GSLS. 

Your supervisors are there to support you throughout your PhD, including discussions about your project, workload, development, supervision, and personal issues affecting your performance. These matters may sometimes overlap. If you find it difficult to address certain issues, especially if they concern the supervision itself, consider taking a training on addressing difficult topics and giving/receiving feedback (see Training offered by your institute at the end of this page). It can also be helpful to consult your mentor before discussing sensitive matters with your supervisor. Ensure that one or two mentors are assigned to you at the start of your PhD journey.

Mentors support you during your PhD journey by monitoring your progress and interactions with your supervisory team. You should meet with your mentor(s) at least once a year, before or during your Annual PhD Progress Meeting. Mentors can also provide confidential support or be a sparring partner. If necessary, they can act as a mediator if you have disagreements with your supervisors. We encourage you to contact them if you encounter unresolved issues. Mentors offer a confidential, informal space to discuss concerns. Take advantage of their expertise in academia and meet casually over coffee or tea.

If a mentor wasn't assigned at the start of your PhD, you can add one later. Your supervisors, PhD programme coordinator, or another staff member can assist in finding a suitable mentor. See Mentors for more details on mentors.

The coordinator and director of your PhD programme are available to assist you throughout your PhD journey. They can help you find resources, answer questions, and provide support with your training plan (such as course recommendations) or issues with your supervisory team. If you're uncomfortable consulting your mentors, you can also seek advice from your programme coordinator or director, who have a good understanding of your research environment. For confidential or private matters, you may consult the confidential PhD advisor.  

Read more about the roles of the PhD programme coordinator and director, including contact details.

You may encounter situations that are difficult to discuss with those involved in your PhD project. In such cases, you can consult your institution's confidential advisor (vertrouwenspersoon). Each faculty – Science, Veterinary Medicine, and Medicine/UMC Utrecht – has confidential advisors specifically for PhD candidates. 

The confidential PhD advisor can assist with issues such as inappropriate behaviour, complex work relationships (such as dependency of PhD candidates on their supervisory team), lack of timely feedback, false expectations, workplace atmosphere, (sexual) harassment, discrimination, bullying, aggression and violence. At Utrecht ľ¹Ï¸£ÀûÓ°ÊÓ, you can also address broader concerns that affect more people than yourself, like abuse of power, fraud or data manipulation. 

At UMC Utrecht, the confidential PhD advisor is part of the Office Ombuds and Confidential Affairs (Bureau Ombuds- en Vertrouwenszaken). They can be approached for inappropriate behaviour issues, while matters regarding working conditions and employment law can be directed to the ombuds. The office can refer you to the appropriate person based on your concern. 

Confidential advisors do not disclose information without your consent. They can provide information, advice, and referrals. At your request, they can arrange mediation for personal or professional disputes between you and your supervisor(s) or other colleagues. Consulting a confidential advisor is not recorded in your personnel file. 

If your institution other than the three Life Sciences faculties does not have a dedicated confidential PhD advisor, you may consult the general confidential advisor or the advisor from the faculty of your first promotor. 

If you are unsure whom to turn to, the confidential PhD advisor is a good starting point. They will guide you based on the nature of your concern and act as a central support figure.

Utrecht ľ¹Ï¸£ÀûÓ°ÊÓ has a confidential advisor especially for inappropriate behaviour. If you encounter inappropriate behaviour, including – but not limited to – (sexual) harassment, discrimination, aggression, violence, and bullying, you can consult this confidential advisor.

For inappropriate behaviour at UMC Utrecht, please consult the confidential PhD advisor.

Questions or complaints about research integrity can be discussed confidentially with Utrecht ľ¹Ï¸£ÀûÓ°ÊÓ's confidential advisor for research integrity. This includes suspicions or observations of injustices (violation of integrity) or scientific misconduct. 

At UMC Utrecht, the serves as the confidential advisor for research integrity.

If you cannot resolve problems on your own, and they affect your work or health, contact the staff welfare service. The staff welfare officer will help identify and clarify your issues, and discuss ways to manage and solve them, focusing on increasing your resilience and problem-solving skills. You may also be referred to a confidential advisor for further support.

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Utrecht ľ¹Ï¸£ÀûÓ°ÊÓ has a specialising in issues relevant to PhD candidates, offering short-term treatment for anxiety, mood complaints, concentration and motivation problems, fear of failure, and more. 

In cases of acute mental stress, consult the PhD psychologist or your general practitioner. They provide initial healthcare and can refer you to specialised help if needed.

 Additionally, human resources departments at various institutions offer training for personal development, aiming to ensure you enjoy your work and continue to grow. Utrecht ľ¹Ï¸£ÀûÓ°ÊÓ offers training through the , and UMC Utrecht through . Explore your institution's training programmes for your professional development.