HR Excellence in Research is awarded by the European Commission to research institutions that implement the principles of the European Charter for Researchers and develop open, transparent, and merit-based principles for the recruitment and career development of researchers.
The new European Charter for Researchers was adopted in the Council Recommendation of the European Union of 18 December 2023 and replaced the European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers from 2005. The current Charter comprises 20 key principles grouped into four pillars: ethics, research integrity, gender and open science; assessment, recruitment and career progression of researchers; working conditions and practices; and research careers and talent development.
The University of Information Technology and Management in Rzeszow has held the HR Excellence in Research award since 22 September 2017 and undergoes regular assessments of its implementation of the HRS4R. In 2023–2026, the University is implementing its current HR Strategy for Researchers and an Action Plan comprising 12 actions.
As of 1 October 2026, the University of Information Technology and Management will begin implementing the three-year ERA-CAREERS project (Horizon Europe, CSA, No. 101292779). The project represents the next stage in the development of institutional solutions supporting the implementation of the European Charter for Researchers, particularly in the areas of career development, recruitment, mentoring, working conditions, and talent development.
European Charter for Researchers
The document constitutes a Council Recommendation of the European Union addressed to researchers, employers, research funding organisations, and policymakers. It sets out the rights and responsibilities of these groups, ensuring equal treatment and opportunities for the professional development of researchers.
The European Charter for Researchers replaced the previous European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers from 2006.
More information about the European Commission’s new initiatives can be found here.
The University of Information Technology and Management in Rzeszow has been developing its working and professional development environment for researchers for many years, based on European standards concerning research practices, recruitment, employment conditions, and academic career development.
On 22 September 2017, UITM received the European Commission’s “HR Excellence in Research” award. The award confirmed that the University implements the principles of the European Charter for Researchers and undertakes activities aimed at creating an open and supportive working environment for researchers. In 2020, following an internal review and a positive assessment of the activities undertaken to date, UITM retained the right to use the HR Excellence in Research award.
For UITM, the HR Excellence in Research award is not merely a quality mark. It is an integral part of the University’s long-term development policy and a commitment to creating conditions in which researchers can conduct research, develop their competences, engage in national and international collaboration, and plan their future academic careers.
HRS4R is a continuous process – from adopting European standards, through their implementation and monitoring, to developing new solutions that respond to the changing needs of researchers and the research environment.
HR Excellence in Research is a Process of Continuous Improvement
We regard the HR Excellence in Research award not only as confirmation of compliance with European standards, but above all as a commitment to continuously improve the conditions for conducting research and developing academic careers.
HRS4R – the Human Resources Strategy for Researchers – is a process based on the regular analysis of existing practices, consultation of researchers’ needs, planning of corrective and development measures, and monitoring their results.
As a result, the principles of the European Charter for Researchers are gradually integrated into the University’s day-to-day operations – in the areas of research, human resources policy, recruitment, professional development, equal treatment, mobility, and working conditions.
HR Strategy for Researchers and Action Plan 2023–2026
As part of the next phase of HRS4R implementation, UITM is implementing its HR Strategy for Researchers and Action Plan 2023–2026.
The Action Plan includes 12 actions addressing, among other areas:
- research ethics and integrity,
- the functioning of the Research Ethics Committee,
- open, transparent, and merit-based recruitment – OTM-R,
- professional development and training,
- researchers’ entrepreneurship and the commercialisation of research results,
- mobility and interdisciplinary collaboration,
- equality and prevention of discrimination,
- working conditions and the well-being of researchers.
The implementation of the actions is monitored on the basis of defined indicators and supporting evidence, and the results provide a basis for planning the next stage of HRS4R implementation.
Human Resources Strategy for Researchers and Action Plan 2023-2026
New HRS4R Governance Model
In 2026, the University streamlined its HRS4R governance model by establishing the HRS4R HR Strategy for Researchers Implementation and Monitoring Team.
The Team combines operational, monitoring, and advisory functions. Its members include representatives of the Research Department and the Human Resources Management Division, researchers at different stages of their careers, and individuals involved in activities related to equality, safety, and academic career development.
The Team’s responsibilities include, among others, monitoring the implementation of the Action Plan, collecting data, indicators, and supporting evidence, analysing researchers’ feedback, monitoring OTM-R principles, and preparing reports and recommendations for the further development of the University’s policy towards researchers.
HR Strategy Implementation and Monitoring TeamHR Strategy Implementation and Monitoring Team
Since 2014, when the first working group on the HR strategy for UITM was established, the structure and membership of the teams responsible for implementing and monitoring the HR Strategy for Researchers have changed.
The HRS4R Team for the Implementation and Monitoring of the HR Strategy for Researchers, established by the Rector’s Order of 08.12.2026, assumed the responsibilities of the Monitoring Committee and the Working Group, which had been in operation since 05.01.2020.
Team Members:
- Agata Jurkowska-Gomułka, PhD, DSc, Associate Professor – representative of experienced researchers and Chair of the Team;
- Renata Partyka – Manager of the Research Unit;
- Ewa Podgórska – Director of the Human Resources Division;
- Maryla Rarus – Manager of the Personnel Advisory Office;
- Elżbieta Kisała – representative of the Human Resources Unit;
- Dr Paula Wieczorek – representative of early-stage researchers;
- Dr Bartosz Skóra – representative of early-stage researchers;
- Marcin Szewczyk, PhD, DSc, Associate Professor – representative of experienced researchers;
- Dr Katarzyna Kurzępa-Dedo – Rector’s Representative for the Prevention of Mobbing, Discrimination and Violence;
- Dr Joanna Wójcik – UITM Coordinator of the ERA-CAREERS project;
- Kinga Gaweł-Stec – HRS4R Team Secretary.
Rector’s_Regulation_No_78_2026_HRS4R_Team
The responsibilities of the Team shall include, in particular:
- monitoring the implementation of the Human Resources Strategy for Researchers (HRS4R) and the current Action Plan;
- collecting information, data, indicators and evidence confirming the implementation of individual measures;
- preparing periodic reports on the implementation of the Action Plan;
- submitting proposals to the University authorities for amendments and updates to HRS4R and the Action Plan;
- monitoring the compliance of researcher recruitment and employment processes with the principles of Open, Transparent and Merit-based Recruitment (OTM-R);
- monitoring arrangements concerning working conditions, professional development, mobility, equal treatment, wellbeing and the ethical conduct of research;
- analysing the results of surveys, consultations and other forms of gathering feedback from researchers;
- consulting proposed measures with the research community, particularly researchers at different stages of their research careers;
- promoting the principles of the European Charter for Researchers and HRS4R within the academic community;
- cooperating with the University’s organisational units responsible for implementing measures covered by HRS4R;
- monitoring whether HRS4R-related information and documents published on the University’s Polish- and English-language websites are up to date;
- preparing documentation for periodic assessments, site visits and other activities conducted by the European Commission or experts appointed by it;
- formulating recommendations aimed at improving the University’s policy towards researchers.
HRS4R in Practice – European Cooperation and Career Development
The development of the working environment for researchers is also supported through UITM participation in European initiatives and projects.
SUNRISE European University Alliance
UITM participation in the SUNRISE European University Alliance enhances opportunities for international and interdisciplinary research collaboration. Researchers gain additional opportunities for networking, mobility, knowledge and best-practice exchange, finding partners, and establishing international research teams and initiatives.
ERA-CAREERS
Another important milestone is UITM participation in the ERA-CAREERS project, implemented under the Horizon Europe programme. The project supports the implementation of the current European Charter for Researchers and the development of institutional solutions aimed at supporting research careers.
The project’s activities include, among others, skills development, the exchange of good practices, building communities of collaboration, supporting researchers at different stages of their careers, and further improving HR policies and tools designed for the research community.
The project will start on 1 October 2026.
Equality, Safety and Well-being
An important element of UITM policy is also creating a working environment based on equal treatment, safety, respect for diversity, and employee well-being.
The activities carried out as part of HRS4R are linked to other policies and solutions implemented at the University, in particular the Gender Equality Plan, policies aimed at preventing mobbing, discrimination, and violence, psychological support, and measures supporting people with disabilities.
- Declaration
- The European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers (since January 2024)
- European charter for researchers Supporting attractive careers in the public and private sectors
- Internal (GAP) analysis
- Committee Decision
- Human Resources Strategy for Researchers and Action Plan at the University of Information Technology and Management in Rzeszów (revised version: September 2019)
- Open, Transparent and Merit based Recruitment of Researchers (OTM-R) Policy 2022
- Timeline
Contact:
HR Consulting Department: bdp@wsiz.edu.pl
HRS4R Team Secretary: kgawel@wsiz.edu.pl
