Human Resources Strategy for Researchers

From November 2024 to May 2025, IBEC has been actively engaged in the internal review process for the HRS4R renewal phase. This process included a comprehensive diagnosis using a survey, 8 focus groups, and other participatory tools to gather insights from the research community. As a result, an ambitious new Action Plan has been developed, led by the People Management Unit in close collaboration with the Monitoring and Working Committee, the Steering Committee, and the OTM-R Commission.

With this Action Plan, IBEC aims to consolidate a culture of continuous improvement and reaffirm its long-term commitment to fostering a professional, inclusive, and researcher-centered environment. This vision is fully aligned with the principles of the European Commission’s Charter and Code.

The improved Action Plan consist of 39 actions that were reviewed and prioritized by Monitoring and Working Committee and the Steering Committee. The analysis also integrated feedback from the 2022 EU site visit.

The Action Plan 2025-2028 will emphasize on the development of the following aspects:

• Ethical and Professional Aspects: Research Integrity, Open Science and Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Plan.
• Recruitment, Selection and Assessment: OTM principles and Policy on Research Career Development and Internal Promotion
• Working Conditions and Wellbeing: internal procedures, telework flexibility, wellbeing programme and feedback and developmental conversation,  an performance appraisal system to provide regular, structured feedback in accordance with IBEC´s values.
• Training and Development: Diversification of the scientific career by promoting intersectoral and interdisciplinary approaches.
• Internal Communication and Participation

Executive Summary of the HR Excellence in Research Action Plan 2025 to 2028, including the List of Actions and the OTM·R Checklist.

Get to know the IBEC members of the Monitoring and Working Committee, a group of volunteers committed to overseeing and driving forward the renewal process. 

Ainoa Tejedera Villafranca, Carolina Marí Cañadas, , Javier Ramón Azcón , Jorge Oliver De La Cruz  , Juanma Fernández Costa  , Katherine Palomino Carrillo , Maria José López Martínez , Pilar Jiménez Sánchez , Teresa Sanchis Estruch, Ana Gonzáles Núñez, Sergi Camacho Clavijo, Matilde Ghibaudi, Xavier Rovira Clavé and  Zahra Saeidikia

For any comments or feedback, please contact:  charterandcode@ibecbarcelona.eu or any of the members of the Monitoring and Working Committee.

During the first half of the year 2021, IBEC has been working on the internal review and gathering of data for the renewal phase. As a result, an ambitious Action Plan has been defined for the period June 2021 to June 2024.

The Monitoring and Working Committee, together with the Steering Committee aim for this new HRS4R Action Plan to implement changes as a researcher-centred organization, helping IBEC to adopt new challenges and implement change generate initiatives  as an agile organization that takes care of its community’s needs.  and promotes a stimulating work environment.

The improved Action Plan consist of 43 actions, that consist of a mixture of previous actions plans as well as new inputs: Some of them are completed (9), others are actions in an ongoing process since their first implementation (13) and 21 of them are new actions.

The Action Plan 2021-24 will emphasise on  the development of the following aspects:

• Ethics: Open Science.
• Recruitment and Selection: OTM principles.
• Working conditions: Promote Gender Equality and Diversity, improvement of Wellbeing and a developmental and performance appraisal system to provide regular, strucured feedback in accordance with IBEC´s values.
• Training: Diversification of the scientific career by promoting intersectoral and interdisciplinary approaches.

Executive Summary of the HR Excellence in Research Action Plan 2021 to 2024, including the List of Actions and the OTM·R Checklist.

The following 15 IBEC members volunteered to oversee and impulse the renewal process as members of the Monitoring and Working Committee.

Ainoa Tejedera Villafranca, Carolina Marí Cañadas, Iris Batalha , Javier Ramón Azcón , Jorge Oliver De La Cruz  , Juanma Fernández Costa  , Katherine Palomino Carrillo , Maria José López Martínez , Pilar Jiménez Sánchez , Teresa Sanchis Estruch 

For any comments or feedback, please contact:  charterandcode@ibecbarcelona.eu or any of the members of the Monitoring and Working Committee.

About our Recruitment and Selection Policy based on OTM Principles:

Excellence in the recruitment of researchers is crucial to ensure outstanding research. It goes hand-in-hand with the development of a supportive (social) environment at work good working conditions and international appeal.

Open, Transparent and Merit-based Recruitment (OTM-R) is one of the main pillars of the European Charter of Researchers and the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers, and a top priority in the HR Strategy.

Our Recruitment and Selection Policy is based on the OTM-R strategy and its final objective is to ensure that the best candidate for the job is selected, guaranteeing equal opportunities and access for all.and reinforce IBEC international appealingness as employer.

Human Resources Strategy for Researchers (HRS4R): What do you know about it?

Watch this short video (2 minutes) to learn about the HR Strategy at IBEC and to see the main actions that have been implemented.