Developing Researcher Career – HR Excellence in Research
Developing a Sustainable and Attractive Research Environment
The University of Jyväskylä (JYU) offers researchers a good working environment and is committed to the continuous development of research careers. We emphasize a clear, goal-oriented and supportive career model for researchers and teachers. The different stages of the research career (recruitment, advancement opportunities and salary development) are transparent and clear, and the research career is attractive. We continue to develop career models and support the well-being at work of our academic staff.
Since 2012, the University of Jyväskylä has followed the principles of the European Commission in the development of research careers (the European Charter for Researchers). In 2013, the European Commission awarded the University of Jyväskylä the HR Excellence in Research award and recognition for its work in building encouraging research careers.
Better working conditions for researchers
HR Excellence in Research -process is based on the values of the European Charter for Researchers published by the European Commission. The European Charter for Researchers contains recommendations and best practices for researchers' working conditions and recruitment.
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The HR Excellence in Research process in brief
In January 2012, JYU signed a commitment to promote the principles of the European Charter for Researchers and Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers (Commission Recommendation 2005/251/EC). The University of Jyväskylä received the "HR Excellence in Research" award from the European Commission in April 2013.
The researchers' career and working conditions are developed through actions deriving from an initial gap analysis based on the Charter and regular internal assessments. The internal evaluation compares the university's current practices with the European Commission's publication of the Charter for Researchers and records the identified areas for development.
The development actions are described in the HR Excellence in Research action plan, which is assessed internally and revised every three years. The assessment team appointed by the European Commission also provides feedback and recommendations on internal self-assessment reports.
The HR Excellence in Research process includes regular external assessments executed by the European Commission. An external assessment by peer review team making a site visit takes place every six years.
In April 2023, JYU passed the renewal phase assessment without site visit. As a result, JYU received the permission to use “HR Excellence in Research” award further on.
HR Excellence in Research implementation at JYU – Action Plan
The development targets revealed by the initial gap analysis and internal reviews are tackled by regularly revised action plans.
The HR Excellence in Research process is closely linked to the University of Jyväskylä's strategy and its three development programs. The measures outlined in the HR Excellence in Research action plan and their monitoring are linked to the annual strategy management process.
Open and transparent, merit-based recruitment at the University of Jyväskylä
An open, transparent and merit-based recruitment practice, as defined by the European Commission, is the basis for all our recruitments.
Our recruitment guidelines ensure that our recruitment processes are fair and transparent.
Recruitment at JYU is based on the guidelines of open, transparent, and merit-based recruitment principles (OTM-R). All essential matters related to the positions are visible for applicants in the call for applications, and qualification requirements for positions are also publicly available online. A comprehensive comparison of merits is made for applicants, and they are treated equally throughout the selection process, following the principles of the JYU Equality, Non-discrimination and Accessibility Plan 2025–2026
Using the OTM checklist as a self-assessment tool, we have assessed to which degree our current practices are OTM-compliant and identified where improvements could be made.
