The HRS4R Label

A European Charter for Researchers and a Code of Conduct for Recruitment define the rights, responsibilities and roles of researchers, as well as those of their employers. The Charter and Code aim to ensure the appeal of careers and to improve the recruitment and working conditions of researchers in Europe.

These objectives are fundamentally in line with Sorbonne University's policy of enhancing the attractiveness and international visibility of the institution and its active participation in the European Research Area.

Sorbonne University has therefore engaged in the European Human Resources Strategy for Researchers (HRS4R) labelling process. This label, delivered by the European Commission, aims to support institutions and organisations working in the field of research in improving their practices in terms of working conditions, recruitment and ethics. Once awarded, it is a guarantee of the attractiveness of research careers and of the university to researchers throughout the European continent. It ensures equal treatment in the different institutions and facilitates access to European research funds. Again, these objectives are fully in line with the Sorbonne University's policy in terms of support for research and its actors. 

The process of obtaining the label began with a self-evaluation of practices at Sorbonne University, encompassing all research personnel (doctoral researchers, doctoral researchers, post-doctoral researchers, teacher-researchers). It focused on four main areas: human resources, working conditions, professional training and ethics.

On this basis, an action plan has been defined to enable the improvement of Sorbonne University’s practices in accordance with the 40 principles defined in the European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for Recruitment. This action plan followed a survey carried out among 400 researchers of all types: doctoral researchers, post-doctoral researchers, assistant professors and professors. With 43% of complete responses, the responses obtained are representative of the diversity of our community. 

HRS4R Documents of Sorbonne University:

• Self-assessment
• Action plan 
• Open, transparent and merit-based recruitment policy 

Sorbonne University charters and engagements :

• European Charter for Researchers - Code of conduct for the recruitment of researchers
• National Charter of Ethics for Research Professions
• Charter for Equality between Women and Men 
• Charter for Open Acces to Publications
• PhD researchers
   

Missions and support structures:

• Research ethics committee
• Ethics and whistleblowing officer
• Sorbonne declaration on research data rights
• Commitment to open science   
• Mission for scientific integrity 
• Mission for gender equality
• Mission to combat racism, antisemitism, and anti-LGBT discrimination
• External unit for victims of sexual and gender-based violence