HR Excellence in Research
The Institute of Experimental Botany of the Czech Academy of Sciences is seeking the HR Excellence in Research Award
High-quality research thrives where people have good working conditions, opportunities for professional development, and confidence that their needs are taken seriously. IEB therefore fully endorses the principles of the European Charter for Researchers and has long been committed to creating an open, fair, and stimulating working environment for both Czech and international employees. Through institutional projects, we have been developing support for parents and carers, flexible working arrangements, equal opportunities, HR services, and professional and career development for several years. In June 2025, we formally confirmed this commitment by submitting our Letter of Commitment through the EURAXESS portal and began preparing the documentation required under the HRS4R process.
What is HRS4R?The Human Resources Strategy for Researchers is a European framework that helps research institutions translate the principles of the European Charter for Researchers into everyday practice. Within this framework, institutions analyse their working conditions and HR processes, define specific measures for improvement, and regularly evaluate their implementation. |
Milestones on our journey towards the HR Award
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JANUARY 2025 | BALANC project First survey of employees' needsThe staff survey helped us better understand employees' needs in relation to working conditions, flexibility, work-life balance, and support for parents and carers. |
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JUNE 2025 | Launch of the HRS4R process Endorsement of the principles of the European CharterBy submitting the Letter of Commitment through the EURAXESS portal, we formally confirmed our commitment to following the principles of the European Charter for Researchers. |
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JUNE–SEPTEMBER 2025 | BALANC project Interviews with managersStructured interviews with heads of laboratories and service units identified areas in which management support, HR services, and the clarity of internal procedures needed to be strengthened. |
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SEPTEMBER 2025 Launch of the INOVATE projectThe INOVATE project created a framework for the systematic development of human resources management, institutional processes, and researcher support, as well as for the preparation of the application for the HR Excellence in Research Award. |
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DECEMBER 2025–JANUARY 2026 Institute-wide staff surveyA total of 209 out of approximately 350 IEB employees participated in a survey covering the topics addressed by the European Charter for Researchers and the OTM-R Checklist. |
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2026 | Working Group Joint preparation of the documentsRepresentatives of research, administrative, and support units jointly reviewed the findings of the analyses and contributed to the preparation of the Gap Analysis, OTM-R Checklist, and Action Plan. |
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2026 | Steering Committee Strategic review and approvalThe Steering Committee assessed the proposed priorities and actions in terms of their relevance, feasibility, and alignment with the institute's long-term development. |
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JULY 2026 Submission of the documentation to the European CommissionIEB submitted the documentation for the initial phase of the HRS4R process through the EURAXESS portal. |
Documents submitted as part of the application for the HR Excellence in Research Award
As part of the initial phase of the HRS4R process, we prepared documents describing the current situation at IEB, the involvement of employees, and the specific measures planned for the further development of the working environment and institutional processes.
Process DescriptionThis document describes the preparation of the application, the involvement of employees and other relevant groups, and the work of the Working Group and Steering Committee. Download PDF |
Gap AnalysisThe analysis compares current practices at IEB with the principles of the European Charter for Researchers. It identifies both the institute's strengths and the areas that we intend to develop further. Download PDF |
OTM-R ChecklistThis document assesses IEB's recruitment and selection procedures against the principles of open, transparent, and merit-based recruitment of researchers. Download PDF |
HRS4R Strategy and Action PlanThis document presents IEB's strategic framework for implementing the principles of the European Charter for Researchers. It defines specific actions, responsibilities, deadlines, and indicators for the development of the working environment, human resources management, and researcher support. The Action Plan focuses in particular on fair and transparent recruitment, professional and career development, high-quality leadership, equal opportunities, clearer institutional procedures, and support for open and responsible research. Download PDF |
Who is involved in the process?
The preparation and implementation of the HRS4R strategy is a collaborative process involving employees from different locations, professional areas, and career stages. Each group involved has a clearly defined role in the process.
HR Award Coordinator
The Coordinator is responsible for the overall management of the HRS4R process, prepares and aligns the individual documents, coordinates consultations, and monitors the implementation of the Action Plan. The Coordinator also connects the institute's management, the Working Group, the Steering Committee, and the individuals responsible for implementing specific actions.
Leona Pejcharová
Human Resources Development Specialist and PR Specialist
pejcharova.leona@ueb.cas.cz
Tel.: +420 225 106 826
Working Group
The Working Group represents different groups of IEB employees. Its members include early-career and senior researchers, Czech and international employees, women and men, and representatives of research, administrative, and support units.
The Group contributed to reviewing the findings of the analyses, commenting on the documents, and formulating actions so that they reflect employees' needs and the institute's everyday practice. During implementation, it will continue to provide feedback on the strategies, rules, and practical tools being developed.
View Working Group members
| Jan Šafář | Head of a research group, Centre of Plant Structural and Functional Genomics |
| Tetiana Kalachová | Deputy Head, Laboratory of Pathological Plant Physiology |
| Kateřina Malínská | Head of Imaging Facility |
| Roman Pleskot | Head of Laboratory of Integrative Structural Biology |
| Michaela Neubergerová | Researcher, Laboratory of Integrative Structural Biology |
| Roman Hudeček | Deputy Head, Laboratory of Integrative Structural Biology |
| Ondřej Kopecký | Researcher, Centre of Plant Structural and Functional Genomics |
| Vinod Kumar | Researcher, Laboratory of Pollen Biology |
| Jan Martinek | Researcher, Laboratory of Plant Morphodynamics |
| Said Hafidh | Researcher, Laboratory of Pollen Biology |
| Zuzana Hroncová | Project Manager (BALANC, INOVATE), Secretary Office |
| Leona Pejcharová | HR Award Administrator, Secretary Office |
| Marta Gollová | Head of the HR Department |
| Markéta Musilová | HR Department |
| Andrea Hourová | Welcome Office, Secretary Office |
Steering Committee
The Steering Committee provides strategic oversight of the HRS4R process. It assesses the proposed priorities and actions, monitors their alignment with IEB's long-term direction, and discusses significant issues related to the implementation of the Action Plan.
The Committee includes representatives of the institute's management, research and administrative units, and both women and men. It approves key documents and regularly reviews progress in their implementation.
View Steering Committee members
| Jan Martinec | Director of the Institute |
| Petr Nový | Head of Technical and Administrative Services (THS) |
| Lenka Burketová | Chair of the Executive Board, Head of Laboratory of Pathological Plant Physiology |
| Martin Vágner | Scientific Secretary, Director's Office |
| Jan Bartoš | Deputy Director, Deputy Chair of the Executive Board, Head of Centre of Plant Structural and Functional Genomics |
| Lucie Fischerová | Deputy Head, Laboratory of Biologically Active Compounds |
| Zuzana Hroncová | Project Manager (BALANC, INOVATE), Secretary Office |