Human Resources Strategy For Researchers

Ca’ Foscari obtained the full Human Resources Strategy for Researchers certificate awarded by the Evaluating Committee in 2017. The University is amongst the Italian “HR Recognised Institutions” on the EURAXESS website.
On 13 October 2023, the University hosted the site visit of the European Commission's assessors. They reconfirmed the HR Excellence in Research Award for the next three year, a label of excellence for Institutions that are concretely committed to improving recruitment and career development conditions of their Research Community.

The Human Resources Strategy for Researchers (HRS4R) is a set of initiatives aimed at the implementation of the European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for Recruitment, grouping the EU principles that rule the rights and duties of research institutions/universities and researchers at all stages of their career. 

The main purpose of the strategy is to improve labour condition for researchers working at Ca’ Foscari, as well as the university attractiveness for talents.

HR Excellence in Research
Contacts

Human Resources Area
 hrs4r@unive.it
P: (+39) 041 234 7034 / 8234

The principles

The European Charter for Researchers and The Code of Conduct for Recruitment are a set of general principles and requirements which specify the roles, responsibilities and entitlements of researchers, as well as of employers and/or funders of researchers. They also outline principles and requirements that should be followed by employers and/or funders when appointing or recruiting researchers:

  • Research Freedom
  • Respect of Ethical principles
  • Professional and financial responsibility
  • Commitment to the dissemination, exploitation of results
  • Continuing Professional Development
  • Recognition of the profession of all researchers
  • Non-discrimination
  • Certainty of a stimulating research environment, flexibile working conditions, stability and permanence of employment, fair and attractive funding and salaries

Ca' Foscari and the European Charter for Researchers

The objectives of the Human Resources Strategy for Researchers are to:

  • improve working conditions for researchers, with a focus on young researchers
  • increase the ability to attract young foreign researchers
  • increase international visibility

The steps for certification

The certification process is developed in 5 steps:

  1. Internal analysis: The University carries out an internal analysis (i.e. Gap Analysis) according to a standard template grouping all the 40 Charter & Code principles in 4 areas ('Ethical and professional aspects', 'Recruitment', 'Working conditions & social security' and 'Training'). 
    The internal analysis is carried out by administering to professors, researchers, research fellows, graduate students and technical staff of Ca ' Foscari a questionnaire aimed at assessing the level of "agreement" with each of the statements, which are designed to identify strengths and weaknesses of the University policies with respect to the principles of the Charter.
  1. Action plan: it is based on what has emerged from the university internal analysis, and defines its Human Resources Strategy indicating the concrete and detailed actions to conform to the principles of the Charter and Code. The action plan is published on the website.
  1. Recognition: the European Commission, after having received and assessed the proposed Action Plan, Grants to the University the Acknowledgement, which will allow for the use of the "HR Excellence in Research" logo.
  1. Internal evaluation: after two years, the University will make an internal evaluation, in order to check the implementation of the Action plan.
file pdf1st internal review 2019654 K
file pdfRevised action plan 2019461 K
file pdfOTM-R checklist 2019141 K
file pdfOTM-R policy 2021
Open, Transparent and Merit-based Recruitment of Researchers
775 K
  1. External evaluation: every three years the European Commission will draft a report on the improvements performed to reach the objectives defined in the Action plan.

Last update: 27/02/2024