Technical University of Liberec joined the European initiative Human Resources Strategy for Researchers (HRS4R) and initiated the process towards obtaining the HR Excellence in Research award granted by the European Commission.
HR Excellence in Research is a European framework promoting high-quality human resources management in research organisations. It is based on the principles of the European Charter for Researchers (Charter) and supports institutions in creating an attractive working environment for researchers throughout all stages of their careers.
Why HR Excellence in Research at TUL?
We are committed to a modern, open, and inspiring environment for academic and scientific staff, as well as all other employees. By implementing the Charter’s principles, we aim to enhance the quality of human resources, streamline institutional processes, increase transparency and equal opportunities, strengthen internationalisation, and promote open communication.
Target of the activities is:
- to develop high-quality and transparent human resources processes,
- to support open and fair recruitment procedures,
- to create conditions that support the professional development of researchers,
- to strengthen the international competitiveness,
- to increase TUL attractiveness to Czech and international researchers.
The implementation of HRS4R represents an important step towards the further development of the research environment at TUL.
We are currently in the Initial phase
We are currently in the Initial Phase of the HRS4R process. This phase includes the preparation of key documents:
- TUL Gap Analysis – document providing a comparison of processes and practices at TUL with the principles of the Charter, including the identification of potential gaps and proposals for measures to ensure alignment with the Charter.
- TUL Action Plan – document responding to the Gap Analysis, presenting specific actions through which TUL will address the identified gaps and further develop its human resources policy in accordance with the principles of the Charter.
- OTM-R Checklist – a checklist verifying the openness and transparency, and merit-based nature of the recruitment process at TUL.
An integral part of each phase is the provision of open communication and cooperation with the TUL employee population. To ensure maximum effectiveness, a questionnaire survey entitled Mapping the Working Environment at TUL 2026 was conducted at TUL units in April 2026. The response rate was 45 %. Thank you for your cooperation and for sharing your valuable experience.
On 16 July 2026, we submitted our application for the HR Excellence in Research award to the European Commission for assessment. The next steps will be an administrative eligibility check of the submitted documents, which typically takes about one month, followed by the evaluation process. Within three to six months, the evaluators are expected to issue their conclusions in the form of an EC Consensus Report. If the outcome is positive, we will be awarded the HR Award, have the right to use the official HR Excellence in Research logo, and proceed to the first implementation phase of the TUL Action Plan.
This project is supported by the Jan Amos Komenský Operational Programme under the project ResearchFor TUL, Reg. No. CZ.02.01.01/00/23_026/0011427.
