Presentation given at the "Workshop on improving the mobility of researchers between Europe and BRIC countries" at the French Permanent Representation to the EU in Brussels which took place on 12 June 2012. The workshop had been organised by the Strategic Forum for International S&T Cooperation (SFIC) and the ERA Steering Group on Human Resources and Mobility (SGHRM). For more information on the workshop see http://ec.europa.eu/research/iscp/index.cfm?pg=sfic (under 'Horizontal Workshops') and http://www.eurosfaire.prd.fr/news/consulter.php?id=6953.

1. Research and
Innovation
Attractive researcher careers for
mobile minds in partnership with
Member States
SFIC-SGHRM Workshop on improving the mobility
of researchers between Europe and BRIC countries
Dagmar Meyer
European Commission
RTD-B2: "Skills"
Brussels, 12 June 2012
French Permanent Representation to the EU

2. Innovation Union commitment #30:
"By 2012, the European Union and its
Member States should put into place
integrated policies to ensure that leading
academics, researchers and innovators
reside and work in Europe and to attract a
sufficient number of highly skilled third
country nationals to stay in Europe."

3. What are the issues?
Are European research careers (not)
attractive enough?
• ERA Framework consultation: 4 out of 5
respondents see researchers’ careers as a key
area for action
• Efforts needed to improve research careers:
• improve recruitment procedures (open,
transparent, merit-based)
• facilitate access to funding
• improve career prospects and development
opportunities
• implement gender equality
• modernize research training incl. for business
labour market

4. "EURAXESS – Researchers in Motion"
coordinated by COM, supported and implemented by MS and AC
• EURAXESS Jobs:
• global access to vacancies and fellowships in
Europe – CV database for researchers
• EURAXESS Services:
• more than 200 Services Centres across Europe
• visa and residence issues, social security, practical
support
• EURAXESS Links:
• linking researchers abroad to Europe
• USA, Japan, China, India, Singapore, Brazil (2013) -
Singapore & Brazil to become regional hubs

5. EURAXESS Rights
• Aim: to improve employment and working
conditions of researchers in Europe and enhance
their career prospects
• Key topics:
• support the take-up of Charter & Code principles
at institutional level, guided by the Human
Resources Strategy for Researchers
• implementation of the Scientific Visa Package
• issues related to social security and pensions for
(mobile) researchers
• Input and feedback on the above topics by the
SGHRM essential

6. Human Resources Strategy for
Researchers
• Aim: support institutions in the alignment of
their HR policies and practices with the principles
of the Charter & Code
• Voluntary process based on self-assessment and
continuous improvement
• "HR Excellence in Research" logo
recognises progress and commitment
• Actively supported by national strategies to
support careers in research (e.g. in the UK)
• Crucial role of SGHRM in development and
monitoring of the process

7. Other on-going policy initiatives
• Doctoral training
• DOC-CAREERS I & II
• Principles for Innovative Doctoral Training –
developed by the SGHRM at initiative of COM
=> taken up by Marie Curie Actions
• European Framework for Research Careers
• sector neutral communication and career
management tool (SGHRM at initiative of COM)
=> implemented on EURAXESS Jobs
• Continuous monitoring and evidence gathering
• Annual Researchers' Report with SGHRM input
• Dedicated studies on researcher mobility & careers
• MORE I (finished 2010) & MORE II (on-going)

8. MORE I and MORE II – Studies on
mobility patterns and career paths
• MORE I study
• researchers in EU and pilot survey of EU-US mobility
• comparison of the EU & US research environments in
terms of attractiveness
• drivers and motivating factors related to mobility
• MORE II study
• extended scope - includes a global survey of
researchers (including BRIC countries)
• all sectors
• study of mobility patterns and duration, motivation
& impact of the mobility, difficulties/barriers, etc.
• results will feed into SGHRM WG on Indicators
• survey to be launched shortly

9. Thank you for your attention!
More information on EURAXESS:
http://ec.europa.eu/euraxess