HR Excellence in Research

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On December 15, 2025, the University of Bordeaux officially submitted its application to the European Commission for the “HR Excellence in Research” label. This commitment reflects a strong desire to promote and implement the principles set out in the European Charter for Researchers in the service of research and scientific excellence.

Photo : Institut de Bio-chimie © CPU
Institut de Bio-chimie © CPU

The European Charter for Researchers is a European reference document that specifies the roles, rights and responsibilities of researchers, employers and funders.

What is the HR Excellence in Research label?

HR Excellence in Research (formerly HRS4R for Human Resources Strategy for Researchers) is a label of excellence awarded by the European Commission to research organisations and institutions committed to implementing the European Charter for Researchers.  

This charter, comprising 20 principles, is structured around four main pillars: 
•    Ethics, integrity, gender and open science
•    Evaluation, recruitment and career development of researchers
•    Working conditions and methods
•    Scientific careers and talent development

It is the European reference text for research and forms the basis for the label. The HRS4R approach aims to improve research conditions and career prospects for researchers in order to support high-quality research that has a significant impact on society.

The term ‘researcher’ is used in a broad sense, including, in particular, teacher-researchers, BIATSS staff involved in research, post-doctoral students, doctoral students, as well as tenured and contract researchers, among others.
The European Charter divides researchers into the following four levels: 
R1 – First-level researcher: doctoral students, engineers and research technicians 
R2 – Recognised researcher: post-doctoral researchers, temporary teaching and research assistants
R3 – Experienced researcher: senior lecturers, research fellows, junior professors
R4 – Principal investigator/lead researcher: university professors, research directors, astronomers, physicists

Useful resources

See The European Charter for Researchers

The challenges for the university and the scientific community

The process of obtaining the label is primarily designed with and for researchers. However, the benefits of certification also contribute to the European and international reputation of the award-winning institutions.

By officially adopting the European Charter for Researchers, the University of Bordeaux intends to:

  • Improve research conditions in order to make researchers' careers more attractive and the environment more stimulating
  • Implement an exemplary HR policy in order to attract and retain talent
  • Meet the requirements of European projects. Obtaining the label could soon become a prerequisite for access to all European funding.
  • Increase the university's international influence and attractiveness within the European Research Area
  • Make the institution an open, attractive and sustainable space for the promotion of research, scientific excellence and innovation.

Methodological approach

To successfully complete the accreditation process, the University of Bordeaux mobilized a community of more than 100 people involved in three committees and four working groups. In accordance with European recommendations, the institution ensured that researchers were represented at all levels :

  • A strategic committee that set the broad institutional guidelines and validated the application file. It is composed of the president, the political bureau, the DGS and DGSA, and the vice presidents whose missions fall within the scope of the label.
  • A coordination committee responsible for validating the gap analysis and action plan. It also oversees the implementation of the action plan. It is made up of project managers and directors whose responsibilities fall within the scope of the label, as well as scientific and administrative leaders.  
  • An operational committee responsible for steering the entire process. This committee, formed as a project team, is composed of the Vice President of Human Resources, the Deputy Director General of Services responsible for General Administration and Human Resources, the Director of Research and Development, the Deputy Director of Talent and HR Development, a project manager, and an assistant.
  • In order to ensure an inclusive approach, four working groups composed of researchers representing the four profiles defined by the European Commission, representatives from partner laboratories, and industry experts participated in the preparation of the application. In each working group, scientific and administrative leaders were appointed to report on their group's work to the coordination committee. They are also responsible for ensuring communication and consistency between the working groups. After certification, they will ensure the integration of the proposed actions and will be the torchbearers within their respective communities and areas.

Label deployment phases

The HR Excellence in Research labelling process consists of three phases:

  • An initial phase, consisting of the preparation and submission of an application file. This phase lasts 12 months from the official commitment to the process.
  • A phase of implementation of the actions and commitments made to the European Commission during the application phase. This stage lasts five years (two years of implementation of the action plan, leading to an evaluation, and three years of implementation of the action plan adjusted during the evaluation).
  • Finally, a renewal phase allowing the university to formalise a request for renewal of the label with the European Commission, certifying the continuity of the process. This phase occurs every three years and involves an on-site visit by European Commission experts every other year.