Working activities during the PhD

During your PhD

A PhD is a full-time commitment. Working activities may be undertaken only when they are compatible with the candidate’s research and training obligations and have been authorised according to the rules applying to the PhD position.

Prior authorisation is required

Discuss the activity before accepting or starting it

Inform your Supervisor and PhD Programme Coordinator in advance and provide all the information needed to assess the activity. The authorisation concerns the specific activity described in the request and does not automatically extend to later changes, renewals or additional appointments.

Full-time

The doctoral programme remains the candidate’s primary commitment

Compatible

The activity must not interfere with research, training or mobility obligations

Authorised

Approval must be obtained through the applicable UNICAM procedure

Activities subject to assessment

When a request must be submitted

01 · EMPLOYMENT

Employment contracts

Fixed-term or permanent employment, part-time work and other forms of employment must be communicated and assessed in relation to duration, working hours, duties and compatibility with the doctoral programme.

02 · PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITY

Consultancy and external assignments

Consultancy, freelance work, professional services, collaborations and other paid external assignments require prior assessment, including when they are occasional or limited in duration.

03 · TEACHING AND RESEARCH

Additional academic appointments

Paid teaching, tutoring, research collaborations and appointments at UNICAM or other institutions must be assessed according to their nature, workload and relationship with the doctoral training project.

Important

A limited workload or a connection with the research topic does not replace authorisation

Compatibility is assessed case by case. The activity must be described completely and may be authorised only when it does not compromise attendance, research progress, required training, mobility periods or the timely completion of the PhD.

Authorisation procedure

Complete the process before starting the activity

1

Discuss the proposal with your Supervisor and Programme Coordinator.

2

Complete the working-activity authorisation form and attach supporting documents.

3

The Academic Board assesses the compatibility of the proposed activity.

4

Wait for the completion of the applicable authorisation procedure.

Information required

Describe the activity completely

ACTIVITY DETAILS

The request should indicate:

• type of contract or appointment;

• employer or commissioning organisation;

• duties and subject of the activity;

• place and method of performance;

• relationship with the doctoral research or training.

TIME AND FINANCIAL DETAILS

Also specify:

• expected starting and ending dates;

• weekly or total number of working hours;

• expected remuneration or income;

• possible overlap with training or mobility;

• any other element relevant to the compatibility assessment.

Download and submit the form

Request authorisation for a working activity

Complete and sign the form and attach the contract, appointment letter or another document describing the proposed activity. Submit the documentation sufficiently in advance to allow the academic and administrative assessment to be completed.

Compatibility assessment

What is taken into consideration

Time

Duration, workload, timetable and possible overlap with doctoral activities.

Content

Duties, professional content and skills acquired through the activity.

Progress

Research progress, training requirements and compliance with the individual plan.

Funding

Scholarship conditions, funding restrictions and obligations arising from agreements.

Tutoring and supplementary teaching

Teaching activities remain subject to academic approval

PhD candidates may undertake tutoring activities and, under the current general UNICAM rules, supplementary teaching activities up to the applicable annual limit, provided that the activity is authorised and does not compromise research training.

Any additional teaching appointment must be assessed separately according to current legislation, UNICAM regulations and the characteristics of the proposed assignment.

Changes and renewals

Communicate any change to the authorised activity

RENEWAL OR EXTENSION

New period or renewed appointment

A renewal, extension or new contract should be submitted for assessment even when it concerns the same employer or substantially similar duties.

MATERIAL CHANGE

Hours, duties or remuneration

Promptly communicate material changes concerning workload, dates, duties, employer, place of work or expected remuneration.

Scholarship and funding conditions

Academic compatibility and financial compatibility are both required

Authorisation of the activity does not remove income limits, exclusivity clauses or incompatibilities established by national legislation, the applicable UNICAM Regulations, the call for applications, the scholarship funding programme or a specific agreement.

Candidates holding funded positions should therefore check the conditions applying specifically to their scholarship before accepting an appointment.

Related information

Forms, regulations and doctoral career

Administrative forms

Access the complete collection of administrative forms and requests.

Open the administrative forms →

UNICAM PhD Regulations

Check the regulation applying to your PhD cycle and position.

Consult the PhD Regulations →

Career and training

Return to the overview of the PhD candidate’s career and training obligations.

Back to Career and training →

Administrative support

Need assistance before submitting the request?

When contacting the Advanced Studies Office, indicate your PhD Programme, curriculum, cycle, Supervisor, type of proposed activity, expected dates, workload and funding source.

Contact the Advanced Studies Office →