HRS4R: THE EUROPEAN HUMAN RESOURCES STRATEGY FOR RESEARCHERSHuman Resources Strategy for Researchers (HRS4R)

Since 12th June 2023, Jean Monnet University obtained the Human Resources Strategy for Researchers (HRS4R) label granted by the European Commission for a period of 5 years. The award promotes transparency in the recruitment of researchers; the quality of the support they receive in terms of training, mobility and career; the improvement of their working and employment conditions; and professional ethics and the freedom of research within research organisations and institutions.

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What is the HRS4R award?

The European Commission established the European Research Area (ERA) in 2005, based on two framework documents: the European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers. These texts define the roles, responsibilities and rights of researchers and of the organisations and institutions that employ them.

The “Human Resources Strategy for Researchers” (HRS4R) award was introduced in 2009 to recognise institutions that had signed the Charter and Code.

The HRS4R framework comprises 40 principles divided into four key areas:
> Ethical and professional aspects: ethics, commitment to society, the researcher’s responsibility, compliance with the regulatory framework, good practice, etc.
> Recruitment: transparent, fair, open, non-discriminatory, etc.
> Working conditions: gender equality, reception and support, Quality of Work Life, employment conditions, etc.
> Professional training and development: career management, training, mobility, etc.

Why commit to the HRS4R award process?

On 6 December 2021, Jean Monnet University affirmed its adherence to the values of the European Research Area and committed to implement these principles by following the HRS4R award process: see the adherence and commitment letter.

This approach will help to:
> Develop a more favourable working environment for researchers
> Increase the institution’s attractiveness
> Secure access to European funding

The University’s HRS4R strategy

At the end of a process widely involving the community, Jean Monnet University carried out an in-depth analysis to address the gaps between the 40 principles of the European framework and the practices within the institution. This gap analysis enabled the University to develop a strategy to improve the quality of HR management for researchers based on a SWOT analysis (strengths-weaknesses-opportunities-threats). This strategy is set out in a concrete action plan spanning the next two years.

The University started the award process on 6 December 2021 by sending its commitment letter to the European Commission:

What are the next steps?

The strategy was approved by the Board of Governors on 16 May 2022 and shared with staff representatives and the wider community.

The application was granted on 12 June 2023 by the European Commission for a period of 5 years.

A monitoring committee will be responsible for monitoring the implementation of the process in order to ensure the confirmation and renewal stages of the award (after two years and then every three years).