HRS4R and GEP

Gender Equality Plan (GEP)

The first Gender Equality Plan covered the years 2022-2024. The document evidenced the gender-related biases, practices and behaviours that disadvantage female researchers in their careers. Simultaneously, we proposed a roadmap to tackle systemic problems and eliminate other barriers that undermine working conditions and hamper women's opportunities for advancement. 

The IChF Director appointed a working group to implement the GEP, comprising:

  • Dr Emilia Witkowska-Nery - chairperson
  • Dr habil. Anna Śrębowata, professor of IChF
  • M.Sc. eng. Julia Maciejewska-Komorowska
  • M.Sc. Agnieszka Tadrzak
  • Dr habil. Zbigniew Kaszkur, professor of IChF
  • Dr habil. Jacek Gregorowicz, professor of IChF
  • Dr Bartłomiej Wacław
  • Dr Aleksandra Siklitckaia
  • Dr Bren Mark Felisilda

Based on the experience from the 2022–2024 plan, we recognised the need to broaden our approach beyond gender alone. For this reason, in 2025, IChF adopted a transitional GEP covering the first three quarters of 2025 to allow time to develop a more inclusive strategy. The transitional period will serve to prepare and pilot the Inclusive Gender Equality Plan (IGEP), which aims to address the needs of other marginalised groups alongside those related to gender equality.

This transitional GEP will be managed and implemented by a newly appointed working group composed of:

  • Dr Emilia Witkowska-Nery - chairperson
  • Dr Eng. Karina Kwapiszewska
  • Dr hab. Jacek Gregorowicz, professor of IChF
  • Dr Steven Linfield
  • M.Sc. Ariba Aziz

HR strategy for researchers (HRS4R)

Since 2014, IChF has held the “HR Excellence in Research” award. This award is a result of a certification process under which the Institute examined the conformity of internal procedures and practices relating to the recruitment and conditions of employment of researchers with the principles of the two documents:

  • The European Charter for Researchers
  • The Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers.

The Charter and the Code are the tools developed by the European Commission to support the development and maintenance of a favourable research environment and working culture. Its primary goal is to increase the attractiveness of research careers and the prestige of this profession in Europe, stimulating the development of the European Research Area.

Conducted by the Institute's internal examination was followed by an Action Plan aimed at strengthening compliance of IChF procedures and practices with the provisions of the Charter and the Code. Since this is a continuous process, the Director of the Institute decided to appoint a working group to oversee further implementation and a steering committee to oversee the overall process.

Progress of the Institute in the upswing in compliance with IChF practices, in accordance with the provisions of the Charter and the Code, is regularly monitored (2016 - interim assessment; 2018 - transition to a strengthened certification procedure for the “HR Excellence in Research” award). In 2020 and subsequently in 2023, the Institute successfully renewed the “HR Excellence in Research” award.

Our recruitment policy

The Institute, as a holder of the “HR Excellence in Research” award, places special emphasis on ensuring Open-Transparent-Merit-based recruitment (OTM-R) for all research positions. Calls for new positions are widely disseminated using, i.e., our webpage and the Euraxess portal. Our recruitment committees are often composed of experts of both genders. We value career mobility and differentiated experience (private and public sectors, including business). We respect and understand career breaks and always give you a clear view of what you may expect from employment at our Institute.

See our OTM-R policy and employment policy for more details.

Career prospects

  • ca. 1/3 of our employees are foreigners, and every fourth group leader is of non-Polish origin
  • 40% of our group leaders are under 45.

We believe that diversity is a key to creating a working culture that stimulates unimpeded exchange of ideas and fosters creativity. Our employees may choose among the career paths of researcher, technician, and science support employee. Transfers between departments are also possible. To support employees' mobility and development, we offer various supplementary training and workshops on IPR, grant writing and publications, public presentations, ethics and research integrity, career planning, mentoring, and management. The researchers are also invited to participate in science popularisation events (e.g., “Science Picnic”) and numerous lectures on interdisciplinary research at the cutting edge of science and on commercialisation.

Our employees have rights to their research results & know-how, including the right to participate in any profits arising from their commercial use. The employees reserve the right to resultant remuneration, even after termination of the employment contract (see our guide on IPR for details).

The Institute also cooperates with the business sector on a regular basis (see our initiative “IChF for the companies”). IChF collaborated with Samsung, Unilever, Mitsui Chemicals, General Electric & Thermo Fisher Scientific. Based on IChF inventions, two innovative spin-off companies have been developed: Scope Fluidics (microfluidic devices for medicine/biotech) & Curiosity Diagnostics (digital assaying). We also support the commercialisation initiatives of our employees (SERSitive i Siliquan).

Why is it important?

The Institute recognises the impact of the European Charter for Researchers and the Code on the Institute's attractiveness as an employer and on the quality of its research. Through the actions undertaken, the Institute aims to become a more attractive employer internationally and a top-ranked research institution in Europe.

Initial phase:

Interim assessment:

Switch towards a strengthened procedure:

Implementation 2018-2020:

Award renewal 2020:

Implementation 2021-2023:

Award renewal 2023:

Implementation 2024-2024:

For more information, contact: hrs4r@ichf.edu.pl.

Documents

See also