Change of research environment
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Why should I change my research environment?
A change of research environment during your PhD programme is a requirement according to the PhD Order, and there are no exceptions to this requirement. There are various ways to plan your change of research environment so that it suits the progress and topic of your project and meets the requirement.
The main purpose of your change of environment is to further your research, to experience a different research environment and to develop your network within your field of research. The stay should preferably be abroad, but stays in Denmark are also accepted.
How do I change my research environment?
Changing your research environment means that you spend a period of time in a different environment from where you normally conduct your research. There are multiple ways for the requirement to be met. It can be a research stay at another research institution, a private research company or organisation etc. either in Denmark or abroad. Your principal supervisor must help you find institutions, research groups or organisations that are relevant to your project. As a rule of thumb, a stay at a co-supervisor’s research facility or department cannot be approved, unless your co-supervisor’s research facility or department differs from your own.
Please note that participation in courses, conferences or congresses is not accepted as a change of environment.
At the Graduate School of Health and Medical Sciences, the duration of the research stay(s) must total at least one month. If possible, longer stays are preferred as this gives you the time and opportunity to develop networks with other researchers.
The change of research environment must be completed within your enrolment period.
Since the Industrial PhD programme is carried out in collaboration between a company and the university and the PhD student thereby is part of two working environments, it is considered that Industrial PhD students have already fulfilled the requirement concerning a change of research environment.
Industrial PhD students who wish to complete additional research stays abroad or in Denmark, are free to do so and to apply for the financial support from the Graduate School on the same terms as ordinary PhD students.
The Graduate School recommends that you go abroad for your research stay. Going abroad gives you the opportunity to make international contacts and gain new perspectives on your research. You can apply for financial support if your stay(s) last at least four weeks in total.
Addendum to your employment contract
If you are employed at UCPH and your stay abroad exceeds 28 days, you will need an addendum to your employment contract in order to be covered by UCHP's travel insurance. Please contact your place of employment if this applies to you. If you need further information or have any question concerning the addendum, please contact International Staff Mobility.
If you are employed elsewhere, make sure to check your employer’s insurance conditions.
You can also meet the requirement by staying at another Danish university, company or institution. The stay needs to last at least four weeks in total. The Graduate School offers financial support for stays in Denmark if the stay is carried out at a university / research institution outside the Capital Region of Denmark and Region Zealand.
The change of research environment is a mandatory part of the PhD programme. Accordingly, your supervisor plays a crucial role in the planning of your stay.
- Your supervisor must help you identify institutions, research groups or organisations that are relevant to your project, e.g. via his/her own network.
- Activities at another research institution or private research company must be approved by your principal supervisor.
During temporary stays in a country outside the EU/EEA, employees will be able to access personal data stored on a network drive or SIF or another secure platform via a VPN connection. If the employee does not share or disclose personal data to others in the country of residence, it will not be necessary to enter into agreements on the transfer of personal data to third countries.
For example, a PhD student will be able to work with personal data stored at the UCPH during a change in research environment to a country outside the EU/EEA.
Read more about safe storage of personal data at the Research Portal on KUnet.
You can apply for a change of research environment by following the link below.
The form is in English, but you are welcome to fill in any free text in English or Danish.
The processing time of your application is approximately 14 days.
Going abroad as a PhD student
Questions concerning the following must be directed to the Graduate School at graduateschool@sund.ku.dk:
- Financial support
- Documentation
- Duration of your change of research environment
International Staff Mobility Office, UCPH
The International Staff Mobility Office, UCPH (not a part of the Graduate School), offers practical guidance for PhD students at UCPH who are going abroad. They can help you with issues such as:
- Insurance
- De-registration and residence in Denmark
- Social security
- Visa
- Tax
- Safety
The service is aimed at facilitating the compulsory change of research environment. All PhD students at UCPH are welcome to seek guidance by phone, email or by booking a personal meeting.
Contact
International Staff Mobility.
The International Staff Mobility Office is not part of the Graduate School and does not answer questions specific to SUND rules and regulations, applications etc.
Learn more at the International Staff Mobility Office' website