SOSA supports early career researchers through funded studentships, through providing access to SOSA resources, and collaborations.All doctoral work must contribute to the SOSA research, conservation and engagement program. The doctoral training offered by SOSA is primarily intended to serve the purposes of the doctoral students and support them in the pursuit of a successful scientific career. As for the doctoral candidates, high expectations apply to the supervisors and other team members supporting them, who must do all they can to ensure that the doctoral students unlock their full potential.
In the doctoral training program, SOSA is committed to providing..
- Research excellence, i.e. the highest standards in the field of taxonomy
- An attractive and inclusive institutional environment
- Framework conditions, requirements, processes and rules for the conferral of a doctorate in a generally accessible and transparent manner
- Quality assurance
- Access to international networks
- Interdisciplinary research options
- Transferable skills training
- Exposure to non-academic sectors, such as the conservation and public outreach sectors
- Access to training in professional development
All doctoral student projects connected to SOSA must agree to abide by our guiding principles for research excellence.
SOSA-affiliated doctoral projects commit to..
- Making taxonomic research a priority
- Striving for distinction in the field, aiming for significant contributions to the relevant taxonomic groups, such as revisions or phylogenies
- Contributing species descriptions to the highest standards, incorporating multiple lines of evidence
- Incorporating cutting edge technologies, including genomics, three-dimensional imaging, etc., and staying up-to date with relevant methodological developments
- Supporting “collectomics” approaches including digitisation of collections and collections data
- Supporting outreach and conservation activities, such as contributing to field guides, identification apps, and Red List assessments
- Respecting and incorporating indigenous knowledge
- Working in an inclusive global framework
