Human Resources Strategy

Human Resources Excellence in Research - HRS4R

The Maimonides Biomedical Research Institute of Cordoba (IMIBIC) has adhered to the Human Resources Strategy for Researchers (HRS4R) which was initiated by the European Commission and supports research institutions in the implementation of HR policies that contribute to the creation of a transparent, attractive and open labour marker for researchers, allowing them to develop their scientific work in a favourable, stimulating environment.

This HRS4R strategy is based on The European Charter of Researchers and The Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers:

• The European Charter for Researchers addresses the rights and responsibilities of researchers and their employers or financing organisations.
• The Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers intends to improve the hiring of researchers by means of fairer, more transparent selection processes.

In 2015, IMIBIC signed a letter of commitment to the Charter & Code with the aim to implement the policies and best practices described in both documents.

Throughout 2016 and 2017, taking as a framework the European HRS4R strategy, several activities were carried out to analyze the degree of compliance with each of the 40 principles set forth by the C&C. Based on the analysis a set of areas for improvement were detected. The results of the analysis served as a basis for the development of the IMIBIC Human Resources Action Plan 2016-2020.

IMIBIC was recognized by the European Commission with the “HR Excellence in Research” – award in September 2017.

As of 2017, the action plan has been implemented, and monitored yearly. In October 2019, an interim self-evaluation was carried out, including a report to the European Commission about the progress, status of indicators, as well as strengths and weaknesses of the current practices, to be evaluated by external experts. As a result of the self-evaluation, an updated Action Plan 2020-2022 was published.

In the beginning of 2020, the European Commission provided the feedback of the external experts concerning the results of the HRS4R Strategy, corresponding to the first two years since obtaining the HR Excellence in Research award. The evaluation congratulated "IMIBIC on their effective HRS4R implementation, their full commitment and their monitoring efforts during the implementation phase."

In 2023 we will face the external evaluation carried out by the European Commission for the renewal of the "HR Excellence in Research" recognition. This will involve the presentation of a new self-assessment and the 2023-2025 Action Plan, as well as hosting the visit of three European evaluators who will assess the implementation carried out so far and the future actions to be implemented.

The HRS4R strategy consists of five steps:

• Conducting an internal analysis to compare the IMIBIC's current practices with the principles of the European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers, involving all implicated parties.
• Publication of the results of the analysis and the Action Plan.
• Approval of the Strategy in the European Commission and awarding of the HR Excellence in Research logo.
• Implementation of the Action Plan, and internal self-evaluation after two years.
• External evaluation by the European Commission every three years.