Human Resources Strategy for Researchers (HRS4R)
The Human Resources Strategy for Researchers (HRS4R) aims to contribute to the development of a more attractive career path for researchers by granting all research professionals the same rights and obligations in any Member State of the European Union, regardless of their country of residence.
HRS4R is based on the principles set out in the European Charter for Researchers, the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers and an open, transparent and merit-based recruitment policy recommended by the European Commission.
In 2005, the European Commission published the European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers. The Charter contains a number of recommendations related to the rights and responsibilities of researchers, as well as those of their employers and/or funders.
The European Commission offers support to research institutions in the development and implementation of the Charter and the Code through the “Human Resources Strategy for Researchers” project. Research institutions that can demonstrate that they follow the human resources policies set out in the European Charter for Researchers, respecting its principles and policies, receive the “Human Resources Excellence in Research Award”.
The aim of the Charter and the Code for Researchers is to ensure that the nature of the relationship between researchers and employers promotes the professional development of researchers as well as successful research performance.
IMDEA Energy submitted to the European Commission the declaration of commitment to the principles of the “Charter for European Researchers and the “Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers” and, from 2020, started working towards the Human Resources Research Excellence Award.
An internal survey was sent to research staff at all grades and levels with the aim of analysing the principles of the charter and the code for researchers: recruitment, working conditions, etc. Based on the results, a gap analysis was carried out.
On 12 November 2021, the European Commission awarded IMDEA Energía the Seal of Excellence in Human Resources for Research-HRS4R, thus distinguishing the centre’s work in adopting good practices in researcher recruitment, generating and supporting the development of an attractive and stimulating European labour market for scientists.
In this initial phase, IMDEA Energy will implement an Action Plan with different actions, such as a Mentoring Programme for researchers in the process of developing their doctoral thesis or the development of a manual of good research practices.
In this way, IMDEA Energy joins the 652 European institutions to obtain this distinction, which represents a further step towards the internationalisation of research and the promotion of attracting talent.
It is also a boost for the centre, which is determined to continue along the path it has embarked on, promoting successful careers, attracting the best candidates and developing open, transparent and merit-based recruitment processes.
