PEOPLE & TALENT
An Open Recruitment Policy
The Human Resources Strategy for Researchers (HRS4R) was created to contribute to the development of more attractive career opportunities for researchers.
Our strategy is based on the principles established in the European Charter for Researchers, the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers, and an open, transparent and merit-based recruitment policy.
In November 2021, the European Commission awarded IMDEA Energy the HR Excellence in Research Award (HRS4R), recognising the Institute’s efforts to adopt good practices in the recruitment of research staff and to contribute to the development of an attractive and stimulating European labour market for researchers.
The selection process guarantees equal opportunities, without discrimination on the grounds of sex, race, language, religion or belief, political opinion, disability, age or sexual orientation. All applications meeting the minimum requirements established in the call are assessed on an equal basis.
The selection process is conducted through our recruitment platform. All IMDEA Energy selection processes consist of the following stages:
- Identify the vacancy you wish to apply for, check that you meet the mandatory requirements and submit your application together with the required documentation.
- Applications meeting the minimum requirements for the position will proceed to the next stage of the selection process, where the selection committee will assess candidates' merits according to the criteria established in the call.
- The highest-rated candidates will proceed to the interview stage.
- The successful candidate will receive notification through the recruitment platform and from the Human Resources Department confirming the next steps in the onboarding process.
HUMAN RESOURCES STRATEGY
Promoting Research Excellence and Talent Development
The Human Resources Strategy for Researchers (HRS4R) was established to promote more attractive research careers by fostering equal rights and opportunities for researchers across all European Union Member States.
The strategy 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 model. Its aim is to foster working environments that promote professional development, scientific excellence and the international mobility of research talent.
Committed to these principles, IMDEA Energy formally endorsed the Charter and the European Code for Researchers and, in 2020, began the process of obtaining HRS4R recognition. As part of this process, the Institute conducted an internal analysis through surveys of research staff, assessing areas such as recruitment, working conditions and professional development. This made it possible to identify areas for improvement and define an action plan.
As a result of this work, on 12 November 2021, the European Commission awarded IMDEA Energy the HR Excellence in Research Award (HRS4R), recognising its commitment to good human resources practices and to creating a more competitive and attractive research environment.
This recognition led to new initiatives, including mentoring programmes for predoctoral researchers and the development of tools and good practices aimed at supporting professional growth.
Through this recognition, IMDEA Energy joins the group of European institutions committed to research excellence, strengthening its strategy for internationalisation, talent attraction, and open, transparent and merit-based recruitment processes.
HRS4R Links of Interest
EQUALITY PLAN
The Equality Plan is essential for effectively integrating the principle of gender equality into all policies
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EQUALITY PLAN
TRAINING ACTIVITIES
Supporting professional development, innovation and continuous improvement through training
IMDEA Energy’s training activities are designed to enable employees to acquire the knowledge, skills and competencies—both technical and transferable—needed to perform their work effectively and enhance their professional performance and development.
IMDEA Energy’s training activities encompass several areas of action. Many of them are organised by the Training and Mobility Committee, the Research Units, and the Foundation’s Human Resources and Communications departments.
The dates of training activities and the corresponding registration procedures are communicated electronically to the relevant staff sufficiently in advance.
Technical Training
The aim is to provide employees with specific technical knowledge in a particular field.
Mobility
Mobility activities enable predoctoral, postdoctoral, senior assistant and senior researchers to undertake research stays at leading international institutions.
IMDEA Energy offers its own research mobility calls, in addition to mobility opportunities linked to ongoing research projects and Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) under the Horizon Europe Programme.
IMDEA Energy also hosts visiting researchers from international research centres.
Through this area of activity, the Foundation promotes training in different working environments, the generation of new ideas, and the personal and professional development of its research staff.
Internal Seminars
These activities are aimed at scientific staff.
Seminars are delivered by newly recruited postdoctoral, senior and senior assistant researchers. They consist of 45-minute presentations introducing their research experience and their research objectives at IMDEA Energy. These seminars are held monthly, usually on the last Friday of each month.
Seminars are also delivered by distinguished researchers of recognised international standing. Examples of seminars given by leading scientists during 2023 include:
- Michele Aresta, CEO of Innovative Catalysis for Carbon Recycling – IC2R Ltd.
- Valeria Nicolosi, Chair of Nanomaterials and Advanced Microscopy at the School of Chemistry, Trinity College.
- Sofía Calero, Vice Dean of the Department of Applied Physics & Eindhoven School of Education at Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e).
- Carlos Ponce, Professor of Electrochemical Engineering at the University of Southampton.
An annual workshop for senior research staff is held in which senior and senior assistant researchers from each IMDEA Energy Research Unit present their current research to colleagues across the Institute. This event is usually held in spring.
An annual workshop for early-career researchers provides young researchers with an opportunity to present their work at IMDEA Energy to colleagues across the Institute. This event is held towards the end of the year.
Transferable Skills Training
Training covers areas such as communication, leadership, teamwork, creativity and conflict management. These skills are essential both for achieving strong results and for fostering a positive working environment.
Training in broader areas such as intellectual property, entrepreneurship and gender equality is also crucial for developing a successful professional career. Transferable skills training activities have included:
- Research career options — May 2023.
- Equality Plan — May 2023.
- Entrepreneurship and technology transfer — June 2023.
- Introduction to the qualities of a great scientific leader — September 2023.
- Training on the European General Data Protection Regulation — March 2023.
- Guidance, collaboration and team building — May 2021.
- Dissemination of scientific results — May 2021.
Mentoring Programme
The programme aims to foster talent development. It supports IMDEA Energy staff in reflecting on their competencies and skills, as well as exploring opportunities in academia, industry, public administration and other professional environments.
The programme is held annually, with the first edition of the IMDEA Energy Mentoring Programme launched in 2021.
Participation in Conferences and Scientific Events
Participation in conferences and scientific events supports the professional development of research staff by strengthening communication skills and creating opportunities for networking and professional connections.
Each Research Unit identifies the conferences and events most relevant to its research area and determines its participation.
MENTORING
Supporting professional development, innovation and continuous improvement through training
Mentoring is a methodology aimed at developing people’s potential through knowledge transfer and experiential learning. The process establishes a personal relationship based on trust between a mentor, who guides, encourages, challenges and supports another person—the mentee—according to their individual needs, with the aim of maximising their potential.
The IMDEA Energy Mentoring Programme is designed to help Institute staff reflect on their competencies and skills and explore opportunities in academia, industry, public administration and other professional environments.
- The programme draws on the network of accredited external mentors from the Escuela de Mentoring who support mentees throughout the process.
- The first edition of the IMDEA Energy Mentoring Programme was held in 2021, and the programme has been organised annually since then.
- Participation in the mentoring process is individual and voluntary. To date, young IMDEA Energy researchers have participated as mentees.
- The programme includes individual mentor–mentee sessions and group sessions.
Stages
Application
- Definition of the requirements for potential mentees.
- Definition of the requirements for potential mentees.
- Confirmation of mentees interest in participating in the programme
Launch
- Interviews with interested mentees to identify the most suitable mentor.
- Selection of the mentoring team.
- Matching mentors and mentees to begin the mentoring process.
Mentoring
- Start of mentor–mentee meetings.
- Individual follow-up with mentors and mentees to assess progress, resolve questions and support the successful development of the mentoring process.
Evaluation
Mentors and mentees assess the results and identify lessons learned and areas for improvement.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Professional Development Resources
Plan and Explore
Understanding your skills, strengths, values and motivations is essential when considering future options for developing your research career, whether in academia or industry.
Below you will find a selection of useful resources to help you plan your professional development and explore career opportunities.
Diagrama actualizado de las distintas etapas de la carrera investigadora (R1-R4). Se identifican las distintas ayudas y convocatorias que se pueden solicitar en cada momento.
A leading non-profit programme supporting researchers’ professional development worldwide. It is designed for people seeking to develop a research career either within or beyond academia and research institutions.
It provides documents and reports on research careers, inspiring career stories, guidance on preparing effective CVs, networking, managing a mature research career, and examples of researchers who have moved into entrepreneurship.
The EURAXESS Smart Talks podcast provides guidance on research careers, innovation and entrepreneurship.
Esta herramienta ofrece una visión de las habilidades que los y las doctores/as desarrollan a lo largo de sus carreras. Uno de sus objetivos es construir puentes entre el mundo de la investigación y el empresarial promoviendo la la idea de que un doctorado, avalado por una formación en investigación científica, es un profesional que ha adquirido todas las competencias y habilidades humanas necesarias para satisfacer las necesidades del mundo empresarial.
Herramienta para ayudar a la planificación de la carrera profesional de los y las estudiantes de doctorado e investigadores/as postdoctorales en las ramas de ciencias.
Aprende sobre los conceptos clave del emprendimiento de una startup, elige las herramientas adecuadas para ser más productivo, avanzar más rápido y colaborar sin problemas y navega a través de una base de datos de búsqueda de cientos de recursos en línea cuidadosamente seleccionados que facilitarán tu viaje.
Prepara tu CV
Modelo de la FECYT – Fundación Española para la Ciencia y la Tecnología
Find Opportunities
A CV is a document used to present your professional skills and achievements to a prospective employer. It should be tailored to the requirements of each position and updated as you gain experience. A well-prepared CV should help you stand out from other applicants.
