# HR Excellence in Research Award

**Source**: https://www.lunduniversity.lu.se/about-university/work-us/hr-excellence-research-award
**Parent**: https://www.lunduniversity.lu.se/about-university/work-us

[På svenska](https://www.lu.se/om-universitetet/jobba-hos-oss/hr-excellence-research)

Lund University strives to be an attractive employer for researchers at all stages of their career. Now we have received EU’s certification, HR Excellence in Research.

## What certification means

*HR Excellence in Research* certification means that a higher education institution fulfils many of the stringent EU requirements for a responsible and professional employer, and that it has a commitment to continuous quality management.

In the film clip below, Pro Vice-Chancellor Per Mickwitz and HR Director Marie Härstedt share their thoughts on what HR Excellence in Research means for Lund University:

[Excellence in Research at Lund University – youtube.com](https://youtu.be/3NX0eyDzJv0)

### The European Charter for Researchers

Lund University has adopted the European Commission’s European Charter for Researchers and its principles, which aim to:

- improve conditions for research freedom
- promote an open labour market for researchers
- promote access to, and the exchange of, knowledge.

As a researcher at Lund University, you can be assured that the University is committed to consistently work towards fulfilling the principles outlined in the Charter’s four pillars:

- ethics, integrity, gender and open science
- researchers’ assessment, recruitment and progression
- working conditions and practices
- research careers and talent development.

If you are a researcher applying for funding from the EU, you can indicate that you are affiliated with an institution certified with the HR Excellence in Research Award.

[Read more about the European Charter for Researchers on the EURAXESS website](https://euraxess.ec.europa.eu/hrexcellenceaward/european-charter-researchers)

## Revised Action Plan 2026–2028

The action plan has been revised for the period 2026–2028. Until 2028, the university will work internally to:

- Enhance the knowledge of strategic recruitment and talent management, in preparation for the joint university planning process.
- Enhance the knowledge about available support in applying for certain research funding.
- Enhance and communicate the process for preboarding and onboarding of new international employees.
- Implement a forum for mutual learning and development of the recruitment process by Academic Appointment boards.

## Organisation of work on the Action Plan 2026–2028

The HR Division and the Research, Collaboration and Innovation Division, within the Central Administration, have been tasked with carrying out the activities in the action plan. The work is coordinated by the HR Section and is regularly reviewed with the reference group for strategic skills provision.

## GAP analysis

The University has devoted a lot of time to compiling existing laws, rules, policy documents and relevant resources at university and national levels.

The compilation is in the GAP analysis, which can act as a type of reference book for researchers and support services.

## Lund University’s policies and regulations regarding HR

The links below take you to our staff website and open in a new tab.

- [Academic qualifications portfolio for Lund University (426 kB)](https://www.staff.lu.se/sites/staff.lu.se/files/2023-02/Academic-qualifications-portfolio-at-Lund-University.pdf)
- [Equal Opportunities Plan for Lund University (5.45 MB)](https://www.staff.lu.se/sites/staff.lu.se/files/2022-11/Lika%20villkorsplan%20pop%20version%20eng%20_TILLG_.pdf)
- [Guidelines for management positions at Lund University (160 kB)](https://www.staff.lu.se/sites/staff.lu.se/files/2024-03/guidelines-for%20management-positions.pdf)
- [Lund University Appointment rules (353 kB)](https://www.staff.lu.se/sites/staff.lu.se/files/2024-10/lund-university-appointment-rules-240618.pdf)
- [Pay policy programme for Lund University (204 kB)](https://www.staff.lu.se/sites/staff.lu.se/files/2023-10/pay-policy-programme-for-Lund-University.pdf)
- [Policy for academic leadership at Lund University (172 kB)](https://www.staff.lu.se/sites/staff.lu.se/files/2024-03/policy-for-academic-leadership-at-lund-university.pdf)
- [Policy on employment and good and clear career paths for teaching staff and researchers at Lund University (319 kB)](https://www.staff.lu.se/sites/staff.lu.se/files/2022-06/policy-employment-career-paths.pdf)
- [Rules of Procedure for Lund University (393 kB)](https://www.staff.lu.se/sites/staff.lu.se/files/2025-01/rules-of-procedure-for-lund-university.pdf)
- [Strategic plan for Lund University 2017–2026 (528 kB)](https://www.lunduniversity.lu.se/sites/www.lunduniversity.lu.se/files/strategic_plan_2017-2026-updated030517.pdf)
- [Work environment Policy for Lund University (209 kB)](https://www.staff.lu.se/sites/staff.lu.se/files/2020-11/work-environment-policy-for-lund-university-accessible.pdf)

## Contact information

**Lena Lindell**\
Coordinator\
lena [dot] lindell [at] hr [dot] lu [dot] se (lena[dot]lindell[at]hr[dot]lu[dot]se)

HR Excellence in Research – Pro Vice-Chancellor Per Mickwitz and HR Director Marie Härstedt share their thoughts.

## Related documents

All documents below open in a new tab (on lu.se).

- [Preamble (PDF 2.1 MB)](https://www.lu.se/sites/www.lu.se/files/preamble_lund_university.pdf)
- [GAP Analysis – Process (PDF 24 kB)](https://www.lu.se/sites/www.lu.se/files/gap_template_1_process_lund_university.pdf)
- [GAP Analysis – Overview (PDF 320 kB)](https://www.lu.se/sites/www.lu.se/files/gap_template_2_analysis_lund_university.pdf)
- [OTM-R Checklist (PDF 39 kB)](https://www.lu.se/sites/www.lu.se/files/template_3-otm-r_checklist_lund_university.pdf)
- [Summary of the results from the survey and focus groups (PDF 343 kB)](https://www.lunduniversity.lu.se/sites/www.lunduniversity.lu.se/files/2026-01/Summary%20of%20results%20from%20survey%20and%20focus%20groups%20%28002%29.pdf)
- [Internal Review 2025 and Action Plan 2026–2028 (PDF 5 MB)](https://www.lunduniversity.lu.se/sites/www.lunduniversity.lu.se/files/2026-02/Internal%20Review%20-%202025.pdf)

## EURAXESS

EURAXESS – Researchers in Motion is a pan-European initiative delivering information and support services to professional researchers regardless of their career stage. Backed by the European Union and its Member States, it supports researcher mobility and career development, while enhancing scientific collaboration between Europe and the world.

- [EURAXESS Sweden website](https://www.euraxess.se)
- [EURAXESS Europe website](https://euraxess.ec.europa.eu)