HRS4R

The aim of the European HR Strategy (Human Resources Strategy for Researchers) is to continuously improve the employment and recruitment conditions of researchers employed by European research organisations.

The strategy is based on two documents: “The European Charter for Researchers” and “The Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers”, which set out the basic principles that should guide research institutions (both public and private) and research funding organizations. Institutions that successfully implement the principles of the Charter and the Code will be awarded the HR Excellence in Research logo by the European Commission.

The European Charter for Researchers establishes general principles and requirements defining the roles, responsibilities and rights of researchers and their employers and/or funders. The Charter aims to ensure conditions under which cooperation between researchers, their employers and their funders promotes positive results in the creation, transfer, sharing and dissemination of knowledge and technological development, as well as the career development of researchers. The Charter addresses all researchers in the European Union at all stages of their careers and covers all fields of research in the public and private sectors, regardless of the nature of their position and employment, the legal status of their employer or the type of organisation or institution where the research is carried out. The Charter takes into account the diverse functions performed by researchers who are appointed not only to carry out research and/or development activities, but also to carry out scientific supervision, consultancy, management or administrative tasks.

The Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers covers the general principles and requirements to which employers and/or funders should adhere when appointing or recruiting researchers. These principles and requirements should ensure that values such as transparency of the recruitment process and equal treatment of all applicants are respected, in particular with a view to developing an attractive, open and sustainable European labour market for researchers, and are complementary to those set out in the European Charter for Researchers. These principles are implemented through an Open, Transparent and Merit-based Recruitment Policy (OTM-R), which consists, inter alia, of providing clear and transparent information on the entire selection process, publishing clear and concise job advertisements with links to detailed information on (e.g. required competences and responsibilities, working conditions, entitlements, training opportunities, career development, gender policy), and ensuring that the required level of qualifications and competences is in line with the needs of the position and not a barrier to applying.

Institutions that successfully implement the principles of the Charter and the Code will be awarded the HR Excellence in Research logo by the European Commission.

The implementation of the HRS4R Strategy and the OTM-R policy at IH PAS is one of the priority actions in the efforts to create a friendly working environment for all employees of the Institute, to improve the quality of their work and research, and to guarantee transparent recruitment rules for researchers.

HR Excellence in Research logo

The HR Excellence in Research logo publicly recognises research institutions that have made progress in aligning their HR policies with the principles set out in the Charter and Code. Institutions that have been granted the right to use the logo can use it to highlight their commitment to fair and transparent procedures for the recruitment and evaluation of researchers.

The award of the HR Excellence in Research logo is subject to, among others, the following conditions:

• creating an employment policy for researchers that is in line with the principles of the European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct.
• ensuring transparent recruitment procedures that allow for fair competition and promote the principle of equality.
• regular evaluation and monitoring of the employment policy for researchers and taking corrective action when non-compliance is identified.
• providing sound employment conditions such as competitive salaries, social security and career development opportunities.
• support for the professional development of researchers through training, mentoring, etc.

The HRS4R process consists of three distinct phases: Initial phase, Implementation phase and Renewal phase(s). IH PAN is currently in the Implementation phase.

HRS4R in IH PAS

Institute of History PAS began its efforts to obtain the logo at the end of 2022/beginning of 2023, when the Director of the Institute, Prof Dr Maciej Janowski, signed the Endorsement of the C&C and submitted the Letter of Commitment. In the following months, a monitoring committee and a working group were set up to. Working group analyzed the current situation, prepared and conducted a staff survey, analyzed its results and prepared all the necessary documents for the application for the HRS4R award.

The work is currently coordinated by Associate professor Hubert Wilk (hwilk@ihpan.edu.pl), who has replaced Dr Anna Kalinowska.

A steering committee, a working group and staff from numerous departments are involved in the process of preparing the application and implementing the HRS4R strategy.