HR Excellence in Research

We are applying for the HR Excellence in Researchers certificate, which demonstrates our commitment to improving the working conditions of researchers and developing the research environment.

The certificate confirms our commitment to ethical principles, equality and transparency. We have submitted the results of the internal evaluation in July 2025. You can read the key points of our internal assessment in the action plan.

The certificate is a recognition granted by the European Commission to organisations that commit to improving the working conditions of researchers and promoting the quality of research. We are proud to be a part of this program and will continue to work to achieve its goals.

Laurea University of Applied Sciences' intentions:

• We are an organisation that is committed to improving the working conditions of researchers, which has been proven to lead to better well-being at work and productivity.
• The certificate is an international recognition granted by the European Commission, which increases the appreciation and visibility of the organization internationally.
• We adhere to internationally recognized ethical and professional standards.

Receiving the HR Excellence in Research recognition requires several steps that an organization must go through. Here's an overview of the process:

• Sending a letter of endorsment - The organisation must first commit to the European Commission's Charter for Researchers and Code of Conduct. This is done by sending a letter of endorsment to the Commission.
• Gap analysis – The organization should evaluate current practices and identify areas for improvement in relation to the charter and policies.
• Action plan - Based on the analysis, the organization develops an action plan that defines concrete actions and a timeline for implementing improvements.
• Evaluation and approval - The European Commission evaluates the organisation's application and action plan. If all the requirements are met, the organization will receive a certificate.
• Monitoring and continuous improvement: The organisation should implement the action plan and report regularly on progress to the Commission.

Endorsement letter
Action Plan

Recruitment principles at Laurea 

Our recruitment processes are transparent and we follow the principles of fairness, equality and non-discrimination. The positions are mainly filled through an open application process and international recruitment is encouraged.

Before starting the recruitment process, the recruiter must obtain a filling permit. The filling permit procedure ensures the appropriateness and coordination of recruitments and, for example, the possibilities of offering additional work to existing part-time/part-time staff.

The application procedure for open positions takes place simultaneously as both an internal and external application. If the required expertise cannot be found within the organisation, the application procedure will be carried out as an external application. A description of the position will be published on Laurea's external website and internally on the staff intranet. The decision to start the recruitment process is made by the same persons who are entitled to hire personnel according to the company's bylaws. Persons who are relevant to the position applied for participate in the selection process. If necessary, we use a preparation group to prepare for the filling of the position.

We treat our applicants equally and our recruitment decisions are made in accordance with the principles of equality. We will inform our applicants about the progress of the application process during the recruitment process.

We use appropriate, job-appropriate methods in our applicants' assessments, such as interviews, video interviews, external expert assessments and aptitude assessments. Our selections are based on an overall assessment of the person's qualifications and suitability for the open position formed during the recruitment process.

Laurea as an employer of researchers 

Laurea University of Applied Sciences is a higher education institution and research organisation that offers innovative solutions and supports the professional development of researchers.

Services we offer

• comprehensive support services to help researchers succeed in their careers.
• We regularly organise training and workshops that promote the professional development of researchers. The aim is for Laurea's staff to receive sufficient and up-to-date information to be able to comply with legislation and guidelines when carrying out research and development work. For example, the Researcher's ABC online course is available
• We help and support researchers in finding and applying for funding for their research projects.

Laurea University of Applied Sciences is committed

• to The Finnish National Board on Research Integrity's (TENK) guidelines on responsible conduct of research   
• On ethical review in the human sciences Legislation, such as personal data protection and compliant collective agreements
• Coara
• Applying for the HR Excellence in Research certification

More information: