Education

1. Project Background and Description

A PhD degree entails students autonomously undertaking groundbreaking and substantial research within a particular field or subject, culminating in the creation of a thesis worthy of publication. In the context of Civil Engineering (Transportation Orientation), the requirements typically involve publishing a minimum of four (4) original research articles as the primary author in reputable scientific journals that are not included in the list of predatory publishers. All research articles that contribute to the PhD thesis must pertain to the specific topic of the PhD and establish a cohesive narrative.

2. PhD Duration

According to Greek Law 4957, July 2022, ΦΕΚ 141, Article 93, the minimum duration of a PhD is 3 full years from the date of the establishment of the 3-member advisory committee of the PhD. The latest date for the completion of the PhD is 6 full years from the date of the establishment of the 3-member advisory committee. There exists a provision that allows the General Assembly of the Department to extend the 6-year duration of the PhD program under exceptional circumstances. In order to be considered for an extension, the PhD candidate must formally submit an application explaining the reasons for the delay. This application must be approved by the 3-member advisory committee.

3. Responsibilities of PhD Candidates

According to Greek Law 4957, July 2022, ΦΕΚ 141, Article 93, the main responsibilities of PhD Candidates are:

• The submission of a detailed progress report of their PhD project on an annual basis to the 3-member advisory committee;
• Collaborate closely with their supervisor and the 3-member advisory committee to receive guidance and support for their PhD thesis
• Engage in teaching activities as deemed necessary by their supervisor, in alignment with the requirements of the 1st and 2nd cycle study programs offered by the Department;
• PhD Candidates have all the rights of the MSc students, including additional rights which are defined by the regulatory framework of the PhD studies of their School. They are also allowed to participate in Research Programmes of their University and receive scholarships, whenever feasible.

4. PhD Defense

According to Greek Law 4957, July 2022, ΦΕΚ 141, Article 95, after the written positive recommendation of the 3-member advisory committee to the Council of the Department, the General Assembly determines a 7-member examination committee for the crisis and the evaluation of the doctoral thesis. The composition of the 7-member examination committee for the PhD defense includes the following criteria: (a) Out of the 7 members, at least 3 must be part of the advisory committee; (b) A minimum of 4 members should be affiliated with the University where the PhD program is being conducted; (c) All members of both the examination committee and the advisory committee must be Faculty Members, either from Greece or abroad. During the PhD defense, which is conducted publicly, the candidate is presented with questions by the 7-member examination committee. The success of the defense is contingent upon receiving approval from a minimum of 5 out of the 7 members of the examination committee.

5. What does a PhD involve?

A standard PhD degree is typically split into three stages. A three-year PhD may follow this pattern:

• First year (stage) – You will meet with your supervisor to discuss your research proposal and agree an action plan with deadlines. You will then complete your literature review, in which you will evaluate and critique existing works to inform the direction of your project and ensure that your research will be original. You may also be involved in teaching activities and start reviewing articles from other researchers.
  Expected Deliverables: at least 1 submission to a Scientific Journal as first author
• Second year (stage) – Your focus will shift towards developing the methodology for your research and collecting results. These results will be used to write the initial technical papers that will later form chapters of your thesis. Furthermore, you will have opportunities to present your findings and ideas at academic conferences, gain more teaching experience, supervise BSc/MSc students more independently, collaborate with fellow students on related projects, and effectively communicate the significance of your research to the general public through workshops, lectures, and presentations.
  Expected Deliverables: 1 to 2 submissions to Scientific Journals as first author
• Third year (stage) –  Primarily revolves around writing your thesis, although your research may still be ongoing. You will dedicate significant time to crafting a comprehensive thesis document. Additionally, you will have opportunities to present your findings and ideas at academic conferences, communicate the benefits of your research to the general public, independently supervise BSc/MSc students, and engage in the development of your research proposals.
  Expected Deliverables: 1 to 2 submissions to Scientific Journals as first author