HR Strategy for Researchers
NIBRT has received the "HR Excellence in Research" designation, identifying NIBRT as a provider of a high standard working environment for researchers. This award recognises NIBRT’s equitable recruitment and appraisal procedures and its commitment to implement the principles of 40 Principles of Charter and Code 2005 Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers (the Charter and Code).
In attaining this recognition, NIBRT will contribute to the ability of the national research environment and the European Research Area (ERA) to attract researchers. The Charter and Code aim to provide equal rights and obligations for researchers in Europe through the implementation of principles governing recruitment, ethical and professional aspects of work, working conditions, and career development for researchers.
The NIBRT HRS4R Action plan identified a number of key areas for change and further development. You can explore NIBRT's strategy here and our approach to securing the award and review all of the associated documentation below:
1. Endorsement: In 2017, NIBRT formally endorsed the Charter and Code by submitting a declaration of commitment to the European Commission.
2. Gap Analysis & Action Plan: In 2018, NIBRT conducted an internal gap analysis to evaluate its current practices against the Charter and Code principles. This gap analysis exercise was managed by Gemma Grimes, HR Manager in consultation with NIBRT’s Principal Investigators, Research Office and a HRSR4 Steering Committee. The process used to conduct the gap analysis was:
- All Principal Investigators and members of the Research Office were interviewed by the HR Manager for their views on the implementation of the Charter and Code in NIBRT
- All researchers were invited to participate in a Verification Survey to understand their experience of NIBRT as a research environment
- Based on this, it developed a tailored Action Plan to address identified gaps. The action plan for NIBRT was designed by a Researcher Focus group facilitated by the HRS4R Project Manager. This group proposed the Actions required to close the gaps identified which were then presented to the NIBRT Senior Leadership Team (SLT) for approval.
3. Submission: The completed Gap Analysis and Action Plan for NIBRT was submitted to the European Commission in January 2019.
4. Evaluation: Independent experts assessed NIBRT’s submission and in November 2019, required NIBRT to make some minor modifications to its plan prior to awarding NIBRT with the HR Excellence in Research award. NIBRT responded to this request in full and in January 2020, we received the “HR Excellence in Research” award.
5. Implementation & Review: The Action Plan is implemented over a 2-year period, followed by interim and periodic reviews (at 2-year and 4-year intervals) to monitor progress and maintain the award. In November 2022, NIBRT successfully retained accreditation following completion of the 2-year interim review. The assessors provided some helpful feedback to assist us work towards successfully renewing this important accreditation in 2025.
NIBRT HR Strategy for Researchers Team
Fiona Killard Lynch
CSO and Director for Research & Innovation
Gemma Grimes
HR Director and HRS4R Project Manager
Elaine O’Farrelly
HR Lead
Caragh Tisdall
Research Officer
Marie Bishop
PhD Student
Palesa Caroline Mphaka
PhD Student
Julia Serna
Senior Research Scientist
Corentin Beaumal
Research Scientist
Felipe Guapo
Research Scientist
Emer Norton
Marketing and Communications Manager
Documentation
HRS4R Supporting Documentation
Ethics and Professionalism in Research
Recruitment and Selection
OTMR Recruitment and Selection Policy
Working Conditions
