OTM-R at the Silesian University of Technology
The OTM-R (Open, Transparent and Merit-based Recruitment) principle is an open, transparent and merit-based recruitment approach that aims to provide equal opportunities for all candidates and to improve the quality of selection processes in organisations. It is an approach that is particularly valued in scientific and research institutions, where it seeks to objectively assess candidates' qualifications on the basis of measurable requirements. Implementing the OTM-R principle helps to attract the best talent from around the world, contributing to the organisation's innovation and scientific effectiveness. It also promotes greater diversity and inclusion in the workplace.
One of the main goals of the Silesian University of Technology (SUT) in the area of human resources policy is to ensure transparent recruitment processes based on the principles of equal opportunities, where decisions are made solely on the basis of measurable criteria, without regard to origin, gender or other discriminatory factors. Since 2017, the SUT has continued to improve its OTM-R procedures, which are also in line with the European Commission's broader strategy to strengthen the European Research Area (ERA).
The recruitment process at the SUT is designed to provide all candidates with equal access to information and application opportunities. The University makes every effort to ensure that each stage of the recruitment process is clearly described and easy to understand, allowing candidates to prepare for and participate in the process in an effective manner.
All vacancies for academic staff at Silesian University of Technology are published on the University's website, the Euraxess portal and the website of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education.
We hope that our commitment to the OTM-R principles will contribute to the creation of a transparent and fair academic environment, open to researchers from all over the world.
Report on OTM-R recommendations issued by the European Union
Recruitment policy at the Silesian University of Technology based on the OTM-R principles:
The procedure regarding open competitions for the position of an academic teacher is regulated at the Silesian University of Technology by the following documents:
- Ordinance No. 97/2021 on the policy of employment of employees at the Silesian University of Technology as amended
- Appendix to the Statute of the Silesian University of Technology on the mode and conditions of the competition procedure preceding the first employment relationship with an academic teacher.
All announcements of competitions for the post of academic teacher are published:
- in the Public Information Bulletin of the Silesian University of Technology in the section "Vacancies for academic teachers",
- on the website of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education
- on the Euraxess portal.
The deadline for applications is 30 days from the date of the announcement.
It is obligatory to prepare a specimen advertisement in Polish and English - template announcement
The University uses an IT system called eRecruiter to recruit academic staff.
The selection board should consist of at least 5 persons and include the head of the unit where the post is to be filled. The Commission is expected to be as gender balanced as possible. The work of the Commission shall be chaired by a Chairperson appointed by the Rector.
The Chairperson must exclude from the membership of the Commission any member who:
- is a spouse, relative or relative by affinity (up to and including the second degree) of the person being assessed or of a member of the Commission,
- is related to the assessee or a member of the Commission by adoption, custody or guardianship,
- has such a legal or factual relationship with the assessed person or a member of this Commission that it may give rise to justified doubts as to that member's impartiality,
- is the subject of the evaluation, if the procedure concerns his or her person.
The Commission should assess candidates taking into account in particular:
- creativity, as reflected in the quality and number of scientific publications and patent applications, patents and/or implementations,
- professional mobility (scientific internships, traineeships/industry placements)
- number of citations of the candidate's work, excluding self-citations
- inventiveness, as expressed by the quality and number of research projects carried out under the candidate's leadership and the publications resulting from these projects,
- international collaboration,
- additional criteria as specified in the competition notice.
In the case of competitions for the positions of professor and university professor in the group of research or research and teaching staff, the competition committee compares the achievements of a candidate for a given position with those of the so-called reference candidate.
The Rector determines the performance of the reference candidate by decree by 15 January each year.
The interview takes place on site or remotley.
The compliance of the committee's work with the procedures in force is monitored by a member of the Human Resources Department, who attends each meeting of the selection committee, verifies the completeness of the documentation and keeps all the documents.
- The Committee recommends candidates for employment to the Rector in the form of a ranking list.
- The competition may be unresolved.
- Minutes of the interviews and voting are kept, together with a feedback form on the strengths and weaknesses of each candidate's application. This feedback is made available to the candidates by the recruiting organisational unit. A feedback form has been developed in Polish and English. Template protocol and feedback form
- Information on the results of the competition, together with the reasons for them, are published by the organisational unit applying for employment in the Public Information Bulletin (PIB), on the websites of the Silesian University of Technology and the Ministry of Science and Higher Education within 30 days after the competition, for a period of at least three months.
- A candidate has the right to appeal against the results of the Selection Board to the Rector within seven days of their publication on the BIP website.
- The contract for the candidate is concluded by the Silesian University of Technology.
- After the Commission and the Rector have decided on the applicant for the position and notified the candidate of their decision, the Human Resources Department contacts the candidate to inform him/her of the terms and conditions of the employment, i.e. the basic monthly gross salary, the type and hours of work, the number of days off, the documents to be submitted for examination and any allowances. A starting date for the employment will also be set.
- Prior to any employment, each candidate must undergo a qualifying medical examination in accordance with applicable national law. The referral for the medical examination is issued by the Human Resources Department, while the number and nature of the exposure factors are determined by the unit where the candidate starts employment. The number and type of harmful factors depend on the place of work, the type of position and the nature of the work. Medical examinations are carried out in occupational medicine clinics with which the Silesian University of Technology has an agreement. The costs of the examination are covered by the University.
- In the case of foreign academics, the Human Resources Department also handles tax residency issues.
Before signing the employment contract, the candidate receives a detailed guide describing the employment procedure and basic information about Silesian University of Technology, including a list of the most important documents with which he/she should be familiar. When signing the employment contract, the candidate confirms in writing that he/she has read it.
New foreign employees are encouraged to contact the Welcome Point, a unit within the structure of the International Relations Office, which assists non-nationals with matters relating to the legalisation of their stay (visa applications, temporary residence cards, application for a PESEL number), as well as other social and welfare issues.
The protection of personal data is implemented on the basis of the Personal Data Protection Policy of Silesian University of Technology and legislation at the national level (Personal Data Protection Act of 10 May 2018) and at the European Union level (Regulation 2016/679 of the European Parliament and of the Council of the European Union of 27 April 2016). The clause on the collection and processing of personal data is an integral part of the competition notice.
