Competition

Information on calls

After each deliberation, results are announced here and published on the websites of the SNCS and the C3N.

Evaluation criteria

The information presented below is drawn from the official document of CoNRS Section 8 on evaluation criteria.

Preamble

Research professions are characterized by a diversity of profiles, and there is no standard model of a scientific career path or trajectory. The criteria below are therefore indicative and non-prescriptive, and the section ensures that it takes into account individual profiles. The section also encourages researchers being evaluated and candidates to share, if they wish, events that have marked their professional trajectory.

In the context of competitive examinations or promotions subject to quotas, the success of an application at the different stages (interview, eligibility) is assessed comparatively, in relation to all applications covering similar themes. The section takes into account the specificities of different types of scientific activity and, for equivalent scientific levels, ensures a balance between research themes. For grade changes, candidates are invited to highlight the evolution of their record across all aspects indicated below, since their previous promotion and within a 10- year period.

Assessment of careers. The section evaluates applications by considering the diversity of career paths and working conditions in research. In the comparative analysis of career progression, it takes into account, when brought to its attention, factors that may have affected the continuity or pace of a career, particularly interruptions or adjustments linked to parenthood. For this assessment, the section aligns itself with ERC principles: 18 months per child for maternity, or the actual duration of maternity leave when longer; for paternity, the duration taken into account is the actual paternity leave declared in the application. Periods of long-term illness or estimated career slowdown linked to disability ([crip time]https://journals.openedition.org/temporalites/13407), if indicated in the application, are also taken into account by the section

Open science. For the evaluation of applications, the section, like the CNRS, adheres to the principles of open science. It strives to carry out a qualitative evaluation (results, impact, originality, interdisciplinarity, etc.) rather than a quantitative one (journal prestige, citations, impact factor, etc.). It therefore invites researchers being evaluated and candidates to explain the significance of their contributions and activities rather than relying on numerical indicators, and to deposit them in open archives. In addition, the section recalls that the selected scientific outputs may include publications, of course, but also software, patents, preprints, datasets, etc.

Environmental responsibility. In agreement with the Strategic Plan DD&RS du CNRS, the section encourages and values actions and practices contributing to low-carbon research. This includes in particular equipment management (reasoned purchasing, sharing, exchange, repair, recycling), travel (rational use of high-carbon transport modes, use of low-carbon transport), as well as responsible uses of digital technologies. Furthermore, the section pays particular attention to initiatives aimed at raising public awareness of climate issues, including those integrating symbolic “zero CO₂” actions in research activities and scientific communication.

International recognition. International recognition is an essential element of evaluation, but it is understood by the section in a broad sense as the international impact of the most significant contributions and activities: awards or invitations abroad received personally or by collaborators or supervised researchers, conferences, review articles, book chapters, coordination of international research networks, organization of major international conferences, participation in international bodies

Recruitment and promotion of researchers

Entry into CRCN grade (junior researchers)

For recruitment into the corps of research fellows, the section identifies the long- term potential of candidates through two main criteria:

  • the quality and originality of scientific contributions;
  • scientific autonomy.

It also carefully examines the relevance of their research programme, the adequacy of their skills for this programme, and the integration of the programme into a collective research approach. Thematic or geographical mobility since the PhD is viewed favorably.

Entry into CRHC grade

The « Hors classe » grade is intended for researchers sufficiently advanced in their CRCN career, whose activity demonstrates in particular:

  • high-quality scientific production;
  • involvement in scientific coordination and leadership.

Entry into research directors grade (research directors)

For recruitment into the rank of research director, the section evaluates candidates’ scientific maturity through a broad spectrum, in particular:

  • the quality, originality, and depth of the research conducted;
  • candidates engagement for the scientific community (e.g., supervision, coordination, collective responsibilities) and more broadly for society (e.g., outreach and dissemination, valorization);
  • national and international visibility, whether individual or collective.

All elements in the application must be presented concisely and precisely, and their significance must be justified, avoiding raw lists and numerical indicators. Thematic or geographical mobility is valued.

Entry into DR1 grade

The DR1 grade is intended for established researchers who, in varied ways depending on their field, have succeeded over the years in generating a dynamic around their work, acting as a driving force for collaborators or even a wider research community.

Compared with DR2, a higher level of requirement is applied to assess the quality and scope of research. Scientific visibility beyond disciplinary boundaries, international recognition, and the ability to develop new research themes or strategies are expected. A stronger expectation also concerns responsibility, involvement in the scientific community, and scientific leadership.

Entry into DRCE grade

The DRCE grade is accessible to researchers who have taken the requirements of DR1 to a level that clearly distinguishes them at national and international scale.

Evaluation of researchers

The evaluation of researchers is primarily based on the scientific impact of their research work. It also takes into account other dimensions of scientific activity such as dissemination, valorization or knowledge transfer, as well as coordination or leadership responsibilities, etc.

Evaluation of junior researchers (« chargé·es de recherche »)

The basic evaluation criteria for research fellows are those used for their recruitment and promotion. The indicative (but neither exhaustive nor exclusive) list of elements examined with attention is as follows:

  • quality and originality of scientific production;
  • scientific autonomy;
  • progress of the research project presented at recruitment;
  • integration of research activities within the laboratory;
  • participation in the scientific life of the laboratory and/or community.

Evaluation of research directors

The basic evaluation criteria for research directors are those used for their recruitment and promotion. The indicative (but neither exhaustive nor exclusive) list of elements examined with attention is as follows:

  • quality, originality, and scope of scientific production;
  • originality of the research programme;
  • thematic openness;
  • national and international visibility;
  • supervision of research;
  • quality of scientific coordination;
  • managerial and leadership responsibilities.

Disclaimer

This site is not officially affiliated with the National Committee for Scientific Research (CNRS). It is created and maintained by members of the section and aims to provide information to the scientific community of section 08.