About the Institute

The HR Strategy for Researchers is a framework that supports research institutions in implementing the European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers in their policies and practices. Adopting the principles of the Charter & Code makes these institutions more attractive to researchers seeking new employment opportunities or a host for their projects.

The European Commission recognizes institutions that align their human resources policies with the 40 principles of the Charter & Code through a customized HR strategy and action plan, awarding them the HR Excellence in Research Award. To date, 732 organizations have received this award, including 15 in Croatia.

The Institute for Social Research in Zagreb (ISRZ) signed the Declaration of Commitment to the European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers on April 30, 2010. By doing so, ISRZ committed to ensuring transparent recruitment processes and the equal treatment of all applicants. The aim is to foster a fair and inspiring research environment, contributing to the advancement of the European Research Area.

To create an evidence-based HR Strategy for Researchers, a gap analysis was conducted at the Institute in 2011. This analysis included a survey to assess the perceived alignment of the Institute’s practices with the Charter & Code, as well as a review of internal documents relevant to their application. The Institute’s HR Strategy for Researchers was developed using the findings from this internal gap analysis, with all researchers at the Institute involved in its creation through several rounds of discussions. The HR Strategy for Researchers was finalized in December 2011, and the action plan followed in January 2012.

The Institute for Social Research in Zagreb was awarded with the HR Excellence in Research logo by the European Commission in April 2012.

An internal evaluation of the HR Strategy implementation for the period 2012-2014 was conducted in April 2014. The new HR Strategy with an accompanying Action Plan was approved by the Institute’s Scientific Council in November 2019.

The HRS4R Renewal Assessment, including a site visit, took place in October 2020. Following this, the Institute received renewal of the acknowledgment from the European Commission, along with continued authorization to use the HR Excellence in Research logo in late October 2020.

A key pillar of the European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers is the Open, Transparent, and Merit-based Recruitment of Researchers (OTM-R). This policy enhances the attractiveness of research careers, ensures equal opportunities for all candidates, and facilitates mobility. The Institute's OTM-R policy document, outlining its commitment to these recruitment practices, was established in 2020.

The most recent Internal review of the HR Strategy and action plan implementation was conducted in November 2023, with its revision in August 2024.

Relevant documents:

• Internal review including ISRZ HR strategy and action plan - revised (August 2024)
• Internal review including ISRZ HR strategy and action plan (November 2023)
• ISRZ OTM-R Policy (2020)
• ISRZ OTM-R checklist (2019)
• Internal review including ISRZ HR strategy and action plan (November 2019)
• ISRZ Self-assessment report - Implementation of HR Strategy (April 2014)
• ISRZ Workflow diagram - HR Strategy for Researchers (2010-2012)
• ISRZ Action plan (2012)
• ISRZ HR Strategy for Researchers (2011)
• ISRZ Declaration of Commitment to Charter & Code (2010)