Research Doctoral Education

Becoming a supervisor

At the University of Luxembourg, researchers need to have PhD supervision rights (known as an ADR, or Autorisation à Diriger des Recherches) to supervise doctoral students. The University Act and Internal Regulations provide more information about PhD supervision rights and how to obtain them.

Eligibility criteria

Eligibility criteria are detailed in the University’s Internal Regulations, Title IV, Research.

  1. For University staff members: Rank of Senior Lecturer or Research Scientist at the University of Luxembourg.
  2. For external researchers: The University only accepts requests from senior researchers affiliated to a research institution in Luxembourg, which has signed a collaboration agreement (covering doctoral education) with the University.
  3. All applicants must have at least three years’ experience after obtaining their PhD.
  4. In addition to the criteria in the Internal Regulations, all applicants for PhD supervision rights must demonstrate a command of both “necessary” skills as well as any relevant “desirable” skills in line with the “R3 Established Researcher” profile in the European Framework for Research Careers.

How to obtain PhD supervision rights

Please make sure that you are eligible to apply for PhD supervision rights before completing the form. Details about eligibility criteria are provided in the application form.

Read the instructions in the application form very carefully, and make sure that you obtain a supporting letter from your Dean, Interdisciplinary Centre Director or Head of Department (depending on your affiliation).

Your application (including any legal aspects) will be assessed by a committee composed of internal and external members. Please be aware that your unit/institution will be charged approximately €1500 for the external evaluation, which is currently managed via the European Science Foundation (ESF).

The duration of the procedure is about 12 weeks (applicants will be informed of any delays).

Send the completed application form to:
a) the Faculty/IC contact point if you are a University of Luxembourg internal candidate.
b) ADRexterne@uni.lu, if you are an external candidate.

There are four deadlines per year:

  • 1 March
  • 1 June
  • 15 September
  • 1 December

Once you have been awarded PhD supervision rights and you have a doctoral candidate to supervise, the Office of doctoral studies will provide you with more information about your candidate’s registration, the role of the Thesis Supervision Committee in monitoring progress, and the thesis defence procedure.

Contact points

For staff members of the University of Luxembourg

For external researchers