European Charter and Code

The European Charter for Researchers and Code of Conduct for the recruitment of researchers launched in 2005 aim to give individual researchers the same rights and obligations wherever they may work throughout the European Union. They address researchers as well as to employers and funders in both the public and private sectors. They are key elements in the European Union's policy to make research an attractive career.

The Charter and Code sets out 40 general principles around the roles, responsibilities and entitlements of researchers, employers and funders with regard to research careers.

Institutions and employers adhering to the Code of Conduct are committed to being a fair, responsible and respectable employer with a clear intention to contribute to the advancement of the European Research Area. The European Commission maintains a list of organisations which have endorsed the principles of the Charter and Coder from 37 countries, and international organisations. 

The European Commission have recognised that in endorsing the principles of the Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers, UK organisations adopt the principles of the ‘European Charter for Researchers and Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers’.

The Human Resources Strategy for Researchers (also known as HRS4R), introduced in 2010 is the mechanism through which the European Commission seeks to ensure that concrete steps are put in place by institutions to enhance working conditions for researchers across Europe as set out in

"Our research staff are crucial to the success of the University. We have been working hard to ensure our researchers are supported in developing their skills and careers as well as engaging with cutting edge research. We are thrilled that this has been recognised by the European Commission." Professor Mary Bownes, Vice Principal, Research Training, University

the European Charter and Code. A specific process managed by Vitae allows UK organisations to gain the Award by demonstrating implementation of the Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers principles. The EC maintains a list of organisations acknowledged under the HR Excellence in Research initiative.