In April, Pompeu Fabra University obtained the "HR Excellence in Research" accreditation and seal from the European Commission. It is the first Spanish university to obtain this distinction, and this achievement is a recognition of the University's commitment to developing a human resources strategy for researchers, designed to align its practices and procedures with the principles of European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers.

UPF believes that the quality and welfare of its researchers is essential for achieving its excellence as an institution. It is therefore also committed to excellence in recruitment at all levels, offering the best possible conditions for researchers to carry out their work in accordance with the principles of equal opportunities, the highest ethical standards and respect for a balance between work and family life.

Accordingly, the University has carried out a project in the human resources field in research in order to provide a research environment that attracts the best researchers and achieves world class results. UPF has adopted the 2014-2016 Action Plan, which will bring it in line with the principles of the European Charter and Code.

Main objectives of the 2014-2016 Action Plan

• To improve the University's policies and practices in terms of recruitment, hiring, promotion, training and general working conditions for its researchers (including lecturers).

• To ensure that UPF's policies and practices meet the standards of the best institutions in Europe.

• To highlight the fact that UPF is an institution which in its vision and mission assigns a prominent place to good practices in the recruitment and working conditions of its researchers.

• To place UPF in an optimum position to compete in European calls for financing, in which a commitment to European standards and practices in human resources is an important factor in the evaluation.

In 2010, UPF adopted the European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers, and in 2012 the European Commission invited the University to participate in the initiative HR Strategy for Researchers  and it became the third member of the working group to support and guide the institutions in the overall process for implementing their own human resources strategy for researchers incorporating the principles of the Charter and Code.

The European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers

The European Commission adopted the European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for the recruitment of researchers in 2005. These two documents are key elements in the European Union's policy for making research an attractive career, and a key feature of its strategy for stimulating economic growth and employment.

The Charter describes the tasks, responsibilities and rights of researchers and their employers. The aim is to ensure that the relationship between the parties contributes to a successful generation, transfer and shared use of knowledge and professional development of the researchers from the outset.

The code consists of a set of principles and general requirements that must be followed by employers and funders during the recruitment of researchers. These principles and requirements ensure the transparency of the recruitment and selection process, with equal treatment of all applicants and the development of a European labour market for researchers that is attractive, open and sustainable.