Supervision and Support
Supervision
Every Ph.D. MR – CVS program participant is supported by at least one primary supervisor from one of the seven collaborating departments at the LMU University Hospital. Those conducting their research projects outside the LMU University Hospital will additionally need the support and guidance of at least one local supervisor. Throughout their doctoral journey, Ph.D. candidates are responsible for maintaining close contact to their supervisor(s) and the Ph.D. Program Coordination. Every two months, meetings will be arranged to discuss the project progress, potential challenges, and necessary modifications.
Thesis Advisory Committee (TAC)
According to the MMRS rules, all students pursuing a doctorate in medical research require a Thesis Advisory Committee (TAC), consisting of at least three experienced scientists – a primary supervisor and two additional scientists. This committee should be established during the first semester of the doctoral journey. Both the primary supervisor and the second TAC member must be either habilitated, professors or ‘exceptionally successful junior scientists’. The third TAC member should hold an independent group leader position. While all three TAC members can be part of the LMU Faculty of Medicine, diversity is essential; one committee member should come from a different department. Local supervisors for projects outside of LMU Hospital can either join the TAC or serve as separate advisors. The composition of the TAC is influenced by the research topic and its methodological and technical requirements. However, it should be ensured that all areas of the project are appropriately covered.
The TAC members commit to guiding and supporting the Ph.D. candidate during the duration of the research project. Their guidance should not only refer to activities related to the research project (e.g. defining milestones and pursuing their achievements), but also to the fulfillment of curricular activities, the acquisition of ECTS credits and personal career steps.
The entire Thesis Advisory Committee should meet at least twice: once during Study Block II and again at the beginning of year three. For extended projects, up to four meetings might be needed.
Documents to be submitted:
Please have your TAC members sign your supervision agreement, which is generated as a PDF by the Campus Portal, with an original, handwritten signature. Sign it yourself by hand as well.
- Upload a scan of the signed supervision agreement to your Campus Portal account and
- Send the original by mail to the MMRS (Bavariaring 19, 80366 Munich).
Together with the TAC, the doctoral student signs a target agreement (with original signatures) that not only reflects supervision, but also includes information about the planned research project, milestones, curricular elements, etc. The target agreement is signed by all TAC members and the doctoral student. The signatures must be handwritten originals in ink. It must be submitted no later than the end of the second semester or the doctoral student will be exmatriculated from the program. The target agreement is generated as a PDF by the Campus Portal.
- Upload a scan of the signed target agreement to your Campus Portal account and
- Send the original by mail to the MMRS (Bavariaring 19, 80366 Munich).
Support
Munich Medical Research School (MMRS)
The Munich Medical Research School is a central institution of the LMU Medical Faculty. It is designed as an umbrella structure for all doctoral programs in the field of human medicine, dentistry, human biology and life sciences.
One of the main tasks of the MMRS is the establishment of Ph.D. programs according to the study and examination regulations for the ‘Ph.D. Medical Research’ in order to promote the internationalization of the medical faculty. The MMRS office is also the central administrative unit where all matters concerning doctoral studies are managed. A central database of all Ph.D. candidates is maintained, admissions and examinations are organized, and certificates are prepared and issued.
All doctoral candidates admitted to the Ph.D. Medical Research – Cardiovascular Science program are automatically members of the MMRS.
Dr. Antje Hentrich, the head of the MMRS, has created an informative video that introduces the Munich Medical Research School and provides important information about "How to Ph.D.". Please watch it here.
Ph.D. MR - CVS Program Coordination
The Coordination Office is primarily responsible for handling all facets of student affairs ranging from the application process to candidate selection. Furthermore, it monitors all curricular activities and manages the allocation of ECTS credits for students. The Coordination Office also acts as the interface with the MMRS Headquarters, LMU Academic Affairs, and other graduate schools.
For any inquiries, feel free to reach out any time.
