The doctoral program of the Faculty of Social Sciences has been operating since 2009 with the aim of assisting approximately 350 advanced research students in managing their professional careers during and after their doctoral studies. The program was established with the aspiration of providing a support and training system for academic career management that would address the unique challenges facing Israeli doctoral students, such as geographical distance, lack of economic resources, advanced age relative to peers abroad, and more. Over the years, the program leaders have built a support system based on financial resources and, no less importantly, the volunteer spirit of faculty members and university retirees.
The doctoral program is based on four areas of activity that respond to the urgent needs of research students in Israel:
· "Toolbox for PhD Students" Series A scientific career is a system of skills that are important to learn and become familiar with through continuous training. The lecture series "Toolbox for PhD Students" focuses on the integration of "soft skills" and is given by faculty members and professional experts in various fields. The meetings held in recent years addressed, among other things, the following topics: effective time management, balancing academic career with family, coping with fear of public speaking, creativity in research, writing and writing obstacles, behind-the-scenes of publishing processes, designing presentations, writing research proposals for funding bodies, writing resumes and preparing for job interviews, supervisor-student relationships, preparation for finding a place for a post-doctorate position, and more. Information about the meetings is distributed via email at the beginning of the academic year and during it.
· Full mastery of the English language
Full mastery of the English language is a prerequisite for academic success. Doctoral students are required to present their work on international stages starting from the early stages of their careers and to publish their research in English-language journals. The requirement for excellent writing skills in English from research students whose native language is not English is a significant challenge, and therefore the program offers an academic English course for
doctoral students and a volunteer system that assists throughout the year in writing articles and preparing for conferences abroad.
· Writing spaces Writing time (binges)
Writing spaces Writing time is a vital resource for advancing in a doctoral program. The unique life circumstances of doctoral students in Israel significantly limit this resource, and therefore, the program offers regular and structured writing sessions throughout the semester. During the concentrated writing days (binges), the doctoral students meet in dedicated spaces and write using the Pomodoro technique for 10 hours. In addition to the writing days, the doctoral program organizes an annual three-day writing retreat. The retreats have been held to date in various hotels outside Jerusalem, with the aim of providing doctoral students with 72 hours of peace away from daily pressures devoted to advancing their research.
· Scholarships and Grants
The doctoral program supports approximately 10 students each year who attend major international conferences. The assumption is that academic conferences are a central component in the learning process, exchange of ideas and creating contacts with peers worldwide. They are especially critical for Israeli third-degree students, who leverage these meetings to establish international collaborations and explore opportunities for postdoctoral specialization in leading institutions abroad. A call for scholarship applications is published each year, towards the end of the civil year.
Prof. Nicholas John, Head of the Doctoral Program
Millie Hazan, Coordinator of the Doctoral Program