The aim of the Human Resource Strategy for Researchers (“HRS4R”) of the Institute of Thermomechanics of the CAS is to align its guidelines and practices for research staff with the principles of the European Charter for Researchers & the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers (“Charter & Code”). The Charter & Code principles ensure that the relationship between researchers and employers is conducive to successful research performance and to the career development of researchers.
1. Endorsement of the Charter & Code
On January 29, 2020 the Institute endorsed the Charter & Code principles to start its voluntary commitment to the implementation of its principles throughout the organization.
2. Establishment of the HRS4R Implementation Team
In January 2020 the HRS4R Implementation Team was established and tasked with designing the Institute’s Human Resource Strategy for Researchers. The goal of the HRS4R Implementation Team is to conduct the Gap Analysis, draw up the Action Plan, submit the Institute’s application for HR Excellence in Research Award and implement and continuously develop the Institute’s HRS4R Strategy. The team was selected to represent all stakeholders involved in the HRS4R process – the researchers at all levels (R1-R4), the management and the administrative & supporting staff:
| Name | Position | Management line/ Department |
| Patrik Zima | HRS4R implementation manager / Head of Office of Research Support | Administrative support |
| Miroslav Chomát (R4) | Director | Institute management, Research Department D6 |
| Václav Vinš (R4) | Vice Director for R&D | Institute management, Research Department D2 |
| Michal Blaháček | Vice Director for Financial Affairs & Operations | Institute management |
| Klára Jurčáková (R3) | Vice-chairman of the Supervisory Board and Vice-chairman of the Committee for PhD Students | Institute management + Research Department D1 |
| Viktor Kratochvíl | External HRS4R Consultant (till 03/2021) | Institute of Physiology of the CAS |
| Marie Kajprová | HR & PR specialist | Administrative support |
| Růžena Černická | HR & payroll manager (involved indirectly) | Administrative support |
| Jana Peroutková | HR & payroll assistant (involved indirectly) | Administrative support |
| Luděk Pešek (R4) | Head of Research Department | Research Department D3 |
| Radka Kellnerová (R3) | Researcher | Research Department D1 |
| Olga Prokopová (R3) | Researcher | Research Department D2 |
| Tomáš Němec (R3) | Researcher | Research Department D6 |
| Chandra S. Prasad (R2) | Postdoctoral researcher | Research Department D3 |
| Hanuš Seiner (R4) | Head of Research Department and Chairman of the Committee for PhD Students | Research Department D5 |
| Jan Kozánek (R3) | Chairman of the trade union (till 12/2020) | Research Department D3 |
| Pavel Formánek | IT manager (involved indirectly) | Technical support |
The design and implementation of the HRS4R Strategy is conducted by 4 workgroups and overseen by the Steering Committee:
SC – Steering Committee: M. Chomát, V. Vinš, M. Blaháček, P. Zima, M. Kajprová, Ch. S. Prasad, V. Kratochvíl (till 03/2021)
WG1 – Work Group on Ethical Aspects: L. Pešek, R. Kellnerová, V. Vinš, O. Prokopová
WG2 – Work Group on Recruitment and Selection: M. Chomát, M. Kajprová, P. Zima
WG3 – Work Group on Working Conditions: K. Jurčáková, M. Blaháček, T. Němec
WG4 – Work Group on Training and Supervision: Ch. S. Prasad, H. Seiner, J. Kozánek (till 12/2020)
In 2020, the Institute secured funding for the Institute’s application for HR Excellence in Research Award from the project “Strategic Management Development of the Institute of Thermomechanics of the CAS (HR Award)” (2020-2022) of the Operational Programme Research, Development and Education (OP RDE) of the Czech Ministry of Education, Youth & Sports, reg. no. CZ.02.2.69/0.0/0.0/18_054/0014697.
3. Gap Analysis
The aim of the Gap Analysis was to determine where current practice of the Institute deviates from the Charter & Code principles. The GAP Analysis process involved all HRS4R stakeholders including researchers at all levels (R1-R4) by means of individual meetings / discussions and an online survey conducted in August-September 2020.
4. HRS4R Strategy
The core of the HRS4R Strategy of the Institute is the Action Plan and the Open, Transparent and Merit-Based Recruitment (“OTM-R”) policy. The Action Plan is a set of measures and indicators to rectify gaps found in the Gap Analysis and to implement the principles of the Charter & Code. The OTM-R policy is a set of guidelines and procedures aligning the recruitment and selection process of the Institute with the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers and the recommended OTM-R policies as set out in the Report of the ERA-SGHRM Working Group on Open, Transparent and Merit-based Recruitment of Researchers.
5. HR Excellence in Research Award
On 14 July 2021, the European Commission awarded the Institute of Thermomechanics of the CAS with the HR Excellence in Research Award. Our action plan was accepted by the assessors of the European commission and the Institute can use the HR Excellence in Research Award logo for a period of two years. During these two years, the Institute must successfully implement the proposed actions and prepare an updated analysis of the state of human resources management.
6. Action Plan Implementation Progress
Action A1 (to be completed by 31.12.2021): ongoing (60% completed)
Action A2 (to be completed by 31.12.2021): completed
Action A3 (to be completed by 31.12.2022): ongoing
Action A4 (to be completed by 30.06.2022):
Action A5 (to be completed by 30.06.2021): completed
Action A6 (to be completed by 30.06.2022):
Action A7 (to be completed by 31.12.2021):
Action A8 (to be completed by 31.12.2022):
Action A9 (to be completed by 31.12.2021): completed
Action A10 (to be completed by 31.12.2022): ongoing (50 % completed)
Action A11 (to be completed by 31.12.2022):
Action A12 (to be completed by 31.12.2022): ongoing (gender equality analysis)
Action A13 (to be completed by 30.06.2022):
Action A14 (to be completed by 30.06.2022): ongoing
Action A15 (to be completed by 31.12.2022): ongoing
Action A16 (to be completed by 31.12.2022): ongoing
Action A17 (to be completed by 31.12.2021): completed
Action A18 (to be completed by 31.12.2022):
Action A19 (to be completed by 31.12.2022):
Links:
European Charter for Researchers & the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers
Human Resource Strategy for Researchers (HRS4R)
Endorsement Letter (29/01/2020)