Université Paris-Est ● Doctoral Studies Guide 2019-2020

5 Dear PhD student, When you prepare a thesis in one of Université Paris-Est doctoral schools, you are working towards graduating with the highest diploma in France and abroad, a diploma which is synonymous with major skills which will be assets for your future. Research-specific training is highly-demanding. Université Paris-Est, whose key focus is on accom- panying and training its PhD (doctoral) students, supports you throughout your pathway to ensure a successful outcome and enables you to leverage this first professional experience in due course. The missions entrusted to the doctoral schools, the courses offered, the access to information resources and, of course, the excellence of the research teams are combined with support from your thesis supervisor to ensure you achieve success. Diverse elements play a role in the doctoral training offered by Université Paris-Est: the organiza- tion of courses enhancing your language skills, whether you are a young French researcher about to travel abroad or a foreign researcher who has come to study here; support for your career deve- lopment plans by training you to work in higher education or research or by bringing your work to the attention of companies; specific training, organized with high-profile external partners, is also available to help you define and implement your post-thesis career plan. This guide contains all the information you need to learn about the environment inwhich youwill be working: services available for you throughout your doctoral pathway, from the inscription proce- dure through to defending your thesis and, if you choose, preparing your accreditation to supervise research (HDR - habilitation à diriger des recherches), as well as learning how you can get actively involved in the institutional life of your doctoral school and, more generally, Université Paris-Est. The whole Department of Doctoral Studies team wishes you every success. EDITORIAL Laurent Gautron Dean of the Université Paris-Est Department of Doctoral Studies