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 for tackling systemic problems and eliminating other barriers that deteriorate the working conditions and hamper advancement opportunities for females. 

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 for the development of 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 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 responsible for further implementation and a steering committee to oversee the whole process.

Progress of the Institute in an upswing of the compliance of IChF practices with the provisions of the Charter and the Code was measured twice – in 2016 for the need for interim assessment and in 2018 to ease the transition to a strengthened certification procedure for the “HR Excellence in Research” award. In 2020, 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, draws special attention to ensuring Open-Transparent-Merit-based recruitment (OTM-R) for all types of 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 mobility in career and differentiated experience (private and public sector, 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 fostering creativity. Our employees may choose between the career paths of a researcher, a technician and an employee of administration (see our guide for details). Transfers between departments are also possible. To support the mobility and development of the employees, we offer different supplementary trainings and workshops on IPR, grant and publications writing, 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 on the cutting-edge of science (e.g. “CREATE lectures” and “Dream Chemistry Award” series) and commercialisation (“Spin lecture” and “Innovation source” series).

Our employees have rights to their research results & know-how, incl. rights to participate in any profits resulting 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”). IPC collaborated with Samsung, Unilever, Mitsui Chemicals, General Electric & Thermo Fisher Scientific. Based on IPC 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 attractiveness of the Institute as an employer and the quality of the Institute's research. Through undertaken actions, the Institute wants to become a more attractive employer internationally and the 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:

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

Documents

See also