Information for main supervisors

Description of the requirements for the dissertation and the process related to the submission of the dissertation and defense can be found in the PhD regulations (lovdata.no) as well as supplementary guidelines for the dissertation.

Well in advance of the expected submission, the supervisors, together with the candidate, must decide on the desired committee. The main supervisor makes the first step to contact the potential external committee members. Supervisors also suggest an internal committee member. The coordinator/department head follows up and requests the internal member.

The committee is usually given up to three months to finalize a recommendation. It is common to estimate around five months from the submission of the thesis to a possible defense date.

Once the entire committee is settled, the PhD administration takes over all further follow-up. Note: The committee is formally appointed when the Doctoral Committee (DGU) at SAM has approved and received the candidate's submitted dissertation. The PhD administration thereafter sends out an appointment letter and the dissertation to the to the committee members.

Once the dissertation is submitted and the assessment committee is appointed, the PhD administration take care of the communication with the committee.

The following criteria apply when appointing members

• Proposed committee members should not have published with the candidate or the supervisors within the last three years.

• Both genders are represented.

• At least one of the members is not affiliated with the university.

• At least one of the members has a main position at a foreign institution.

• All members have a doctoral degree or equivalent competence.

• The majority of the evaluation committee are external members.   

When you are planning and reaching out to potential members, please keep in mind:

• Due to travel costs, the committee should primarily come from the Nordic countries/ Europe. Committee members outside Europe must be clarified with the head of the department in advance. The alternative could also be a hybrid defense.
• The faculty covers up to two nights at a hotel.
• The faculty covers the cheapest possible travel, and needs beyond this must be clarified with the head of the department.

Compensation for the members of the evaluation committee

• Internal member / committee leader receives 30 hours which is included in the work plan/arbeidsplan.
• First opponent - compensated with 30+20 hours.
• Second opponent - compensated with 30+15 hours.   

Travel and stay for the evaluation committee

When the evaluation committee has submitted a positive recommendation, the PhD administration contacts the committee to arrange travel and accommodation in Oslo.

Contact the PhD administration if you have any questions.