All projects within the EpiCrossBorders: International Helmholtz-Edinburgh Research School for Epigenetics are collaborative projects with one PI at the Helmholtz Zentrum (HMGU) and one PI from Edinburgh University.

All research school students are supported by a personal Thesis Advisory Committee (TAC). The Thesis Committee provides mentoring and guidance in the scientific project. This committee needs to consist of at least three members (advisors) and should meet at least once per year.

The Thesis Committee is assembled within the first three months of the doctoral thesis by the graduate student with support from the direct adviser (PI). It consists of at least three scientists and generally comprises the following persons:

• Your direct advisor (PI)
• Your secondary advisor (collaborative PI)
• Your official advisor at the university (if your direct adviser is also the adviser at the university, an additional person is to be included in the TAC)
• An additional fourth member may be included

 

 

Each Graduate Project will have at least 3 annual TAC meetings.

• within the first 9 months
• after about 1.5 years
• after about 2.5 years

These meetings are organized by the graduate students

For each meeting of the TAC you will prepare a written progress report. For the first Thesis Committee meeting this includes the project proposal with project title, outline, objectives and milestones which has to be signed by all Thesis Committee members and submitted to the research school office.

During the meeting graduate students give a presentation where they outline their research results. Based on the goals and actual results, the research progress and future perspective is reviewed and discussed.

After each meeting the Annual Thesis Committee Meeting Feedback Form has to be submitted to the Research School Office.