HR Excellence in Research (HRS4R)
In March 2023, the University of Kaiserslautern-Landau became the first Technical University in Germany to receive the European Commission's "HR Excellence in Research" seal.
What is the HR Excellence in Research (HRS4R) procedure?
The European Commission is committed to improving and harmonizing working conditions for researchers across the European Research Area, while also further strengthening the research profession.
To support this initiative, the European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers were introduced in 2005. The Charter outlines the fundamental rights, responsibilities, and expectations for both researchers and their employers, while the Code complements these guidelines with specific principles for the recruitment and employment of researchers.
The audit process of the Human Resources Strategy for Researchers (HRS4R) is a framework program of the European Commission that supports universities and research institutions in implementing the principles of the Charter within their organizations. Universities and research institutions that commit to these principles and successfully complete the Human Resources Strategy for Researchers are awarded the HR Excellence in Research Award.
RPTU is dedicated to upholding the objectives of the Charter and Code, aiming to achieve long-term, tangible, and sustainable improvements in the working conditions and recruitment processes for its researchers. Through the HRS4R process, RPTU continuously enhances its services and support structures for researchers.
What benefits does the audit HRS4R offer?
The HRS4R Procedure
- serves as a driving force for organizational development, a catalyst for innovation, and a way to consolidate existing measures, plans, and best practices at RPTU
- creates a framework for critical self-reflection within the RPTU
- supports the alignment of conditions and offerings at both campuses
- enables a comprehensive and systematic review and development of services and support structures for researchers, with external guidance.
- is communicated transparently within RPTU, and its results are made visible to the respective target groups
- initiates organizational changes that lead to tangible improvements in the working conditions of researchers
The "HR Excellence in Research Award"
The granting of the HR Excellence in Research Award to our university in March 2023 serves both as recognition and motivation to continue along this path.
This Award
- enhances RPTU’s attractiveness as an employer for researchers at all career stages
- increases RPTU’s international competitiveness through greater visibility at home and abroad
- facilitates the acquisition of EU funding
The HRS4R Action Plan at RPTU
After being awarded the "HR Excellence in Research" seal, universities have two years to implement the submitted action plan within their institution. Following this period, the institution submits a mid-term report along with a revised action plan, which, after positive evaluation, is to be implemented within three years.
During the subsequent renewal phase, the seal is renewed every three years, alternating with or without an on-site visit. The entire HRS4R process is therefore designed to ensure continuous quality review and improvement.
Currently, the measures outlined in the submitted action plan are being implemented step by step. Ongoing assessments are made to determine which actions can already be applied at both campuses, and which measures may need to be adapted for the Landau campus or newly developed. RPTU aims to submit a revised action plan with tailored measures for the entire university as part of the mid-term report.
A Steering Committee coordinates the HRS4R process at RPTU. This committee oversees and evaluates the implementation of the current action plan, identifies new areas for action, and derives future measures to improve the working conditions for researchers.
The Steering Committee includes the Vice President responsible for these areas, Prof. Dr. Werner Thiel, along with Chancellor Stefan Lorenz, who represent the university leadership. Eleven researchers from various career stages, disciplines, and both campuses represent RPTU's research community and actively contribute their academic perspective to the HRS4R process.
Members of the Staff Council, employees from Human Resources, Personnel Development, and the offices for "Research" and "Career Development and Appointments," as well as a representative for Gender Equality, are also part of the Steering Committee.
2021-2022: Conducted a gap analysis to assess the extent to which the principles of the Charter and Code have already been met and to identify areas where improvement measures can be implemented
August 2022: Submitted the gap analysis and the initial action plan to the European Commission
March 2023: RPTU was awarded the "HR Excellence in Research" seal
Summer 2024: The expanded Steering Committee, including members from both Landau and Kaiserslautern, begins its work
Currently: Implementation of the action plan and preparation of the interim report (updated action plan)
