What is it about? HR Excellence in Research (formerly: HRS4R), which is a European Commission process, supports the implementation of the “European Charter for Researchers” and is aimed at improving conditions for all career levels in research. Aspects include fair appointment procedures, personnel development offers, easier transnational mobility, a commitment to equal opportunities and the securing of research integrity. Open, transparent and fair selection and appointment procedures are a core element and at HHU, they involve e.g. strategic career planning, a permanent position concept, electronic application portals and international advertisements for positions.
“We attach great importance to ensuring an excellent framework and developing new measures in collaboration with our researchers to support their work,” says the future project manager Professor Dr Heidrun Dorgeloh, Vice President for University Culture and International Relations. The certification can be renewed every three years following an audit and HHU has successfully participated in the audit process since 2018. “A steering committee provided us with outstanding support during the latest on-site audit. I would like to thank everyone involved for their efforts,” says Vice President Professor Dr Dr Andrea Icks, who was responsible for the project up to the latest certification. In the report, the independent commission indicated that it is impressed by the efforts made by those responsible to ensure a good research environment. For example, HHU is one of the few universities, which have clearly defined (plannable) career paths alongside professorships and consistently promote these paths.
What happens next? The established services and training measures will be consolidated, while new measures will feed into the next University Development Plan, which is currently being formulated. Among other things, an onboarding programme is planned for all new appointees and this programme is scheduled to launch in the winter semester.