Would you like to contribute to a safe, warm, and well‑structured environment for our international PhD community? As a PhD Coordinator, you are the approachable, low‑threshold point of contact for PhD candidates, the Graduate School, and the faculty board. You work on both operational tasks (such as progress meetings, onboarding, and process coordination) and tactical/strategic activities (such as identifying trends, advising on improvements, and strengthening collaboration).
In this role, you make a real impact on wellbeing, progress, and communication within our faculty.
InformationWe are looking for a warm, proactive, and approachable
PhD Coordinator to support and strengthen the PhD community within the Department of Chemical Engineering & Chemistry (CE&C). In this role, you serve as a low thresh hold and trusted point of contact for PhD candidates. From the moment a new PhD joins the department, you help guide them through their onboarding, ensure that key documents such as the Training & Supervision Plan are completed on time, and make sure the administrative aspects of their trajectory are well ‑organized.
As this is a newly established role within our faculty, we are looking for someone who feels confident shaping the position, building its foundations, and finding their own way in setting up effective practices. You enjoy taking initiative, creating structure where needed, and developing the role in a way that best supports our PhD community.
Throughout the entire PhD journey, you remain a consistent and reliable presence. You monitor wellbeing and identify challenges early—whether they are practical, organizational, cultural, or personal in nature. By offering a listening ear, sharing advice, or referring someone to the right support, you contribute to preventing delays or dropout and help ensure that PhD candidates feel seen and supported.
A core part of the role involves acting as a bridge between PhD candidates and the wider organization. You help clarify expectations, support smooth communication, and connect colleagues across the Graduate School, student advisers, and PhD coordinators in other faculties. You also contribute to community building by organizing workshops, peer sessions, and informal gatherings that strengthen connection and wellbeing.
You maintain an overview of PhD trajectories within CE&C—currently around 130— and use that insight to identify recurring patterns, opportunities for improvement, and areas where clearer processes or better alignment are needed. You share these insights with the faculty board and contribute to enhancing the overall PhD experience at CE&C. Confidentiality and professional judgement are essential in this role: you know when to listen, when to advise, and when escalation is necessary to safeguard wellbeing or progress.
At CE&C, we are committed to a healthy, supportive, and inspiring research environment. As PhD Coordinator, you play a key role in shaping that environment and ensuring that every PhD candidate has the chance to thrive.
Key elements of the role include: - Being a trusted, low threshold contact point for PhD candidates
- Coordinating onboarding and ensuring timely completion of required documents (e.g., TSP in Hora Finita)
- Play an important role in the onboarding of PhD candidates ‑term, and end‑of‑trajectory meetings
- Monitoring wellbeing and help prevent delays or dropout
- Offering support on practical, organizational, interpersonal, and personal challenges
- Acting as a bridge between PhD candidates, the Graduate School and other support units
- Organizing workshops, peer support sessions, and community-building activities
- Identifying trends and advising the faculty board on improvements
The
Chemical Engineering and Chemistry (CE&C) department delivers high-quality education and research in chemical engineering and chemistry, aiming to tackle complex societal challenges and advance fundamental science and technological innovation.
Currently, the department is undergoing a transformation. In close collaboration with staff, a new vision has been developed to guide our future:
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Our higher purpose: Chemistry for a better world
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Our core values: Passion, compassion & excellence
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Our bold ambition: To be ranked number 1 in education, research, and societal impact by 2040
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Our key strengths: Innovation and collaboration at a world-class level