Introduction

The European Commission adopted on 11 March 2005 the Recommendation on the Charter for Researchers and Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers, which aims to contribute to the development of an attractive European labour market for researchers.

The European Charter for Researchers is a set of general principles and requirements defining the roles, responsibilities and rights of researchers and their employers, employers and public funding institutions.

The Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers, which does not differ much from the standard rules governing recruitment, stresses the importance of open and transparent recruitment procedures and diverse and experienced selection committees.

The Human Resources Strategy for Research (HRS4R) is a tool launched by the European Commission to support research institutions and research funding organisations in the implementation of the European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers.

In 2015 the European Commission through the ERA Steering Committee on Human Resources and Mobility established a working group to work on the OTM-R System (open, transparent, merit-based researcher recruitment procedure) and to develop a guide for the improvement of procedures and practices.   

On 22 April 2015, the University of Zaragoza unanimously approved in its Governing Council the adhesion to the Charter and Code of Researcher Recruitment.  On 6 June 2017 our Institution received the notification from EURAXESS Rights Team of the European Commission, informing that our institution can make use of the HR Excellence in Research label.


Why HRS4R?

The University of Zaragoza is committed to the development of Human Resources policies based on the Code of Conduct and the Researcher's Charter and, therefore, to the development and maintenance of the HR label as a way to improve the quality of life of our researchers and to become an attractive and transparent institution for those researchers who want to develop their professional career in our institution.

Benefits for the institution

• International visibility
• Credibility
• Transparency
• Attraction of talent and resources
• Concern for its HR policy
• Being part of a pan-European network of researchers and research centres
• Positive assessment in European projects

Benefits for researchers

• Transparency in recruitment
• Guarantee of a favourable working environment
• Recognition of research career
• Valuation of mobility and experience
• Enables researchers to be part of a pan-European network of researchers and research centres.

Related documentation:

European Charter and Code of Conduct
Report on OTM-R
Letter of adhesion of the University of Zaragoza (April 2005)