Constitution of the Thesis jury

Before any thesis defense, the formation of a thesis jury is mandatory. While procedures may vary across faculties, they are based on shared principles.

General Provisions

• • The thesis jury must include at least three members, all holding a doctoral degree.
  • The thesis supervisor is systematically part of the jury.
  • The jury must include at least one external expert, affiliated with an institution other than the University, and recognized in the scientific field of the thesis.
  • The jury composition must be approved by the relevant faculty authority (e.g., Faculty Council, Thesis Committee, or Dean’s Office, depending on the faculty).
  • The jury is chaired by an academic authority (Dean, member of the Dean’s Office, or a designated professor).

Faculty-Specific Regulations

Please consult the doctoral regulations specific to each faculty:

FSE_Doctoral Regulations

Choosing your Jury Carefully

The composition of the Thesis Jury is determined in consultation with your supervisor(s). Your opinion is important and should be taken into account throughout this process.

When selecting the members of your committee, several factors should be considered:

• complementary scientific expertise;
• diversity of perspectives;
• the absence of conflicts of interest;
• the absence of personal animosity between committee members;
• the profile of certain individuals whose academic (or professional) networks may strengthen your career prospects and foster future collaborations or professional opportunities.

Take the time to learn about the prospective committee members, including their research interests, recent publications, methodological approaches, and scientific perspectives. This preparation will not only help you assemble a well-balanced and relevant committee but also enable you to anticipate more confidently the questions that may arise during your dissertation defense.