Tutoring and Supervision

IMPRS-QST students receive an exceptional tutoring on many levels. Through contact with many different PIs from early on, our PhD students have experts who can assist and support them in their research and education.

All students join the school through one particular IMPRS-QST research group and one of our principal investigators assigned as supervisor. The supervisor provides the ongoing and direct tutoring needed to carry out the PhD project.

In addition, the student's Thesis Advisory Board includes at least one further IMPRS faculty member that matches the research profile of the student: The co-supervisor, a PI independent from the supervisor but still scientifically related, gives the student external feedback on a regular basis and direct support when necessary. Regular meetings with both supervisor and co-supervisor are a mandatory part of the IMPRS training program. 

Yearly progress report

Each student must deliver a yearly progress report at the beginning of the winter term, describing the scientific work carried out during the last year.

This progress report is read and evaluated by the corresponding TAB, whose members then give feedback to the student and the IMPRS-QST Steering Committee regarding the student’s performance.

IMPRS & MCQST Supervision Award

At IMPRS-QST, we value good supervision and recognize its importance for the PhD journey and the academic and professional development of our students. The IMPRS & MCQST Supervision Award honors outstanding supervisors who demonstrate exceptional commitment to mentoring PhD candidates and postdocs.

Each year, students have the opportunity to nominate their supervisors through a survey. All IMPRS PIs are eligible, and a selection panel—including PhD and Postdoc Representatives and IMPRS & MCQST office members—reviews nominations and selects the awardees.