The European Charter for Researchers is a recommendation of good practice for researchers and employers and/or funders of researchers issued by the European CommissionDirectorate-General for Research. It sketches rights and duties of researchers and their funding institutions. It was published together with the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers which outlines principles for hiring and appointing researchers. The document was compiled relying on extensive advice of researchers and research policy stakeholders. The commission considers the European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers as 'key elements in the European Union’s policy to make research an attractive career, which is a vital feature of its strategy to stimulate economic and employment growth'.
General principles and requirements applicable to researchers in the charter
Supervision should be provided for early stage researchers
Teaching should be recognised as important, while not placing excessive burdens on researchers
Evaluation/appraisal systems should be provided
Complaints/appeals procedures should be provided
Participation in decision-making bodies is promoted
Recruitment should adhere to the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers
Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers
Recruitment should be open, efficient and transparent
Selection should be by balanced and trained panels
Transparency of procedure for candidates
Merit should be judged both qualitatively and quantitatively, balancing a good range of criteria
Career breaks and other multidimensional career tracks should not be penalised
Recognition of mobility experience
Recognition of qualifications
Seniority
Postdoctoral appointments should provide career development opportunities
Aim and implementation
Given that legally the Charter and the Code are recommendations, the implementation of the documents shall be put forward by positive contention and peer pressure. The Charter and the Code should serve as a quality certificate for research institutions. Where national or regional legislation gives researchers more favourable conditions than those provided by the Charter, the more favourable conditions should not be diminished. Consequent implementation of the Researchers Charter is urged not only by the European Commission, but also by other research and science policy organisations like Eurodoc or Marie Curie Fellows Association.
