HR Strategy for Researchers and Open Transparent and Merit Based Recruitment

HR Strategy for Researchers at the University of Limerick

The HR Excellence in Research Award is granted to research performing organisations that are progressing in the implementation of the principles of the European Charter for Researchers in their policies and practices.

The European Charter for Researchers is a set of principles underpinning the development of attractive research careers to support excellence in research and innovation across Europe. The focus of the European Charter for Researchers (Charter for Researchers) is the rights and responsibilities of researchers, employers, funders and policymakers; it consists of 20 key principles. These are classified under the following four pillars: 

1. Ethics, Integrity, Gender and Open Science

2. Researchers’ Assessment, Recruitment and Progression

3. Working Conditions and Practices

4. Research Careers and Talent Development

Implementation of HR Strategy for Researchers at the University of Limerick

HRS4R at the University of Limerick

The University of Limerick (UL) formally endorsed the principles of the European Charter for Researchers in 2011 and has since embedded these principles within its research policies, people practices and strategic objectives.

University of Limerick HRS4R Journey

The University Research Committee (URC) acts as the steering committee for HRS4R adoption and implementation. URC is chaired by the Vice President Research and its members include senior research leaders across the organisation and researchers from different career stages. A HR Strategy for Researchers Working Group undertakes the renewal of the HRS4R award and oversees the implementation of the UL HR Strategy for Researchers Action Plan 2026-2029. This group includes representation across disciplines and career stages.

• HR Research Manager (Co-Chair of Working Group), Charlotte Long
• Research, Strategy & Policy Manager (Co-Chair of Working Group), Christine Brennan
• Assistant Dean Research Education & Health Sciences, Dr Elaine Kinsella
• Assistant Dean Research Science & Engineering, Dr Ronan Courtney
• Assistant Dean Research Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences, Prof David Fleming
• Assistant Dean Research Kemmy Business School, Prof Deirdre O'Shea
• EU and External Funding Programmes Manager, Sharone O’Loughlin
• Postdoctoral Researcher, Dept of Chemical Sciences, Dr Infanta Diana Michael
• Assistant Director, REPPP Programme, School of Law, Helen Fitzgerald
• Project Manager, Graduate & Professional Studies, Dr Gerard Downes
• Transformative Pedagogy Lead, Centre for Teaching & Learning, Dr Michael Wride
• Head of Learning & Development, Human Resources, Alison O’Regan
• Senior Talent Development Specialist, Human Resources, Marguerite Leen
• Athena Swan / EDI Projects Officer, Michael O'Brien
• UL Postgraduate Student Union, PhD Officer, Ahmad Alkhan

HRS4R Action Plan Implementation / Impact and Reporting

HRS4R action plan has been embedded into University of Limerick strategic planning, UL@50. The action plan is part of the UL@50 implementation plan and therefore progress will be reported to the Executive Committee on an annual basis. The HRS4R Working Group report to University Research Committee with its co-chair sitting on URC providing updates on progress by tabling a detailed implementation plan tracker. The HRS4R working group will issue an annual report on progress to URC for their information in line with the UL@50 reporting. An impact statement will be incorporated into UL’s HRS4R Action Plan Annual report providing qualitative and quantitative evidence of the impact of the programme. 

Open, Transparent and Merit-Based Recruitment (OTM-R)

The University of Limerick is committed to fully implementing the principles of Open, Transparent and Merit-Based Recruitment (OTM-R) for researchers, in alignment with the European Charter for Researchers, adopted by the Council of the European Union in 2023. OTM-R is a key component of the University's HR Strategy for Researchers (HRS4R) and supports the Charter's principles on researchers' assessment, recruitment and progression. 

By ensuring that the best person is recruited for each role through fair, transparent and merit-based processes, OTM-R strengthens the quality and effectiveness of research systems, promotes equal opportunities and diversity, and supports the inclusion of under-represented groups. It also facilitates mobility and international collaboration, contributing to the circulation of knowledge, innovation and research talent across the European Research Area (ERA). Researchers, employers, funders and society as a whole benefit from recruitment practices that are consistent, inclusive and aligned with the principles of the European Charter for Researchers.

The University of Limerick OTM-R Policy is available in the UL Policy Hub.

The University of Limerick OTM-R Checklist is available. 

The University of Limerick Policy for the Recruitment of Staff which reflects the principles of OTM-R is available on the UL Policy Hub

The University of Limerick remains committed to fostering an inclusive, supportive and high-quality research environment through the ongoing implementation of the Human Resources Strategy for Researchers and the principles of the European Charter for Researchers.