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In acknowledgment of our dedication to the principles outlined in the "European Charter for Researchers" and the "Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers," the Roumen Tsanev Institute of Molecular Biology has received the European Commission's HR Excellence in Research Award. To achieve the award, we prepared a careful gap analysis, mapped against the principles of the "European Charter for Researchers and Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers'' and developed a detailed action plan.
Open, Transparent and Merit-based Recruitment
OTM-R Policy
Roumen Tsanev Institute of Molecular Biology (IMB)
Commitment
The Roumen Tsanev Institute of Molecular Biology (IMB), part of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, has established an ambitious Action Plan to align with the principles of the European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct. Submitted on 15 April 2024, this plan builds upon the institute's endorsement of the Charter and Code on 7 April 2022.
The IMB is a premier research institution founded in 1960, recognized for its groundbreaking contributions to molecular and cellular biology. With 51 active researchers and 103 staff members, including PhD students and administrative personnel, the institute is a vibrant hub of scientific activity in Bulgaria. The average age of its staff, 35, underscores its appeal to young researchers eager to develop their careers in a forward-thinking environment.
IMB is fully committed to upholding the principles of Open, Transparent, and Merit-Based Recruitment (OTM-R), ensuring that its hiring practices align with the highest standards of fairness, inclusivity, and accountability. By embedding these principles into its recruitment framework, IMB aims to attract diverse, highly qualified researchers while fostering trust and integrity in its processes.
Openness
IMB’s recruitment strategy ensures that all job vacancies are widely publicized to reach the broadest possible audience. Job openings are announced on the institute’s website, in the State Gazette, and will be systematically shared on international platforms such as Euraxess. This approach guarantees that opportunities are accessible to candidates both locally and globally. IMB places a strong emphasis on inclusivity by welcoming applications from individuals of any gender, ethnicity, religion, or nationality who meet the specified qualifications. This openness reflects the institute’s commitment to creating a diverse and vibrant research community.
Transparency
The institute’s recruitment process is governed by clear and standardized guidelines to ensure transparency at every stage. These include:
- Defined Procedures: From the initial eligibility screening to the final selection, all steps are explicitly outlined and strictly adhered to.
- Evaluation Criteria: For senior positions such as Associate and Full Professors, evaluation criteria are meticulously aligned with Bulgarian regulations for academic and career development. These criteria are communicated to candidates, and the resulting assessments are published on the institute’s website in both Bulgarian and English. This transparency promotes trust in the decision-making process.
- Confidentiality with Fairness: While evaluations for positions like assistant and assistant professor are comprehensive and rigorous, they remain confidential to maintain the integrity of the process. Nonetheless, the recruitment guidelines ensure consistency and impartiality across all roles.
IMB’s recruitment framework prioritizes selecting the most qualified candidates based on objective assessments of their expertise, achievements, and potential. The multi-tiered process includes:
- Eligibility Screening: A technical committee conducts a preliminary review to ensure that candidates meet the basic requirements for the position.
- Scientific Merit Assessment: A specialized jury evaluates the academic and professional credentials of each candidate. This stage focuses on research contributions, teaching experience, and other relevant qualifications.
- Final Decision: The Scientific Council reviews the jury’s evaluations and casts secret ballots to finalize selections, ensuring fairness and consensus in decision-making.
While IMB already adheres to robust OTM-R principles, the institute is proactively enhancing its recruitment processes to address identified gaps and further align with international best practices:
- Language Accessibility: To attract a more diverse applicant pool, all job postings will be translated into English and published on global platforms such as Euraxess. This will ensure that international candidates have equal access to opportunities.
- Streamlined Applications: IMB plans to introduce standardized templates for required documents and submission procedures. These templates will simplify the application process, particularly for foreign candidates who may find the current system complex or unclear.
- User-Friendly Online Resources: The institute is updating its website to include detailed, easily navigable information for applicants. This will cover:
- Step-by-step application procedures.
- Guidelines for recognizing foreign academic degrees and qualifications.
- A frequently asked questions (FAQ) section to address common applicant concerns.
Impact and Vision
By strengthening its OTM-R practices, IMB aims to foster an inclusive, competitive, and transparent hiring environment that reflects its values as a leading research institution. These improvements are not only designed to attract top-tier talent from diverse backgrounds but also to build trust among applicants and stakeholders in the fairness of its processes. Through these measures, IMB ensures alignment with the European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct, reinforcing its reputation as a globally recognized hub for research excellence.
IMB’s dedication to OTM-R principles underscores its broader mission to support scientific innovation, empower its researchers, and contribute to a dynamic and equitable global research community.
Action plan IMB
Gap analysis 2 IMB
OTM checklist IMB
Process description IMB 2024
Regulations on the implementation of the development of academic staff in the institute of molecular biology acad. Roumen tsanev (imb) at the bulgarian academy of sciences_sy
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