This page provides an overview of the key expectations and support structures for PhD students at the Department of Biological and Chemical Engineering (BCE). You'll find guidance on formal requirements set by GSTS, local work obligations tied to employment at BCE, timelines for progress reporting, and initiatives to support your academic well-being.
It complements the general guidelines provided by the Graduate School of Technical Sciences (GSTS) with department-specific information, expectations, and support contacts.
Whether you're in a 5+3, 4+4, or 3+5 programme—or part of an industrial or EU-funded project—this page helps clarify what is expected of you and where to find help when needed.
PhD students at BCE are subject to both the general requirements set by the Graduate School of Technical Sciences (GSTS) and local obligations tied to their employment status. These requirements ensure academic quality, active participation in the research community, and meaningful contribution to the department.
Below, you'll find an overview of both the formal academic expectations and the work-related obligations for employed PhD students at BCE.
As an employed PhD student (5+3), you are obliged to perform work tasks for the department equivalent to 280 working hours per year, totaling 840 hours for three years - exemptions excluded.
PhD students enrolled under industrial PhD programmes or funded through EU initiatives (e.g. Marie Skłodowska-Curie) are exempt from departmental work obligations.
For students enrolled in the 4+4 or 3+5 programmes, who are employed by BCE during the final two years (after passing the qualifying exam), the same rules apply as for 5+3 students. However, since their employment covers only two years, the total work obligation is 560 hours.
A PhD journey can be both rewarding and challenging. At BCE, we are committed to supporting the well-being of our PhD students throughout their studies. The BCE PhD Committee works with the Graduate School of Technical Sciences (GSTS) to strengthen well-being initiatives and ensure that support systems are available and visible.
You have several options for making contact:
According to GSTS guidelines, a maximum of 10 ECTS credits can be earned for activities outside of traditional, formal PhD courses.
These activities fall into two main categories:
1) conference participation
2) other activities considered as ad hoc courses.
Detailed guidelines for ECTS approval and the application form with each activity type can be found in this document: Approval of ECTS - other activities