The NOVA University Lisbon (NOVA) has successfully implemented key actions from the SECURE Project’s Research Career Framework, applying targeted initiatives across eight pillars. Over the past year, the university has made significant progress in reducing career precarity, advancing policy reform, promoting Open Science, and enhancing career development opportunities for researchers.
Reducing Career Precarity
In line with SECURE’s goal of improving research careers, NOVA secured funding in 2024 for 228 permanent positions for PhD holders in research and teaching through the FCT-Tenure Competition. With an 87% success rate—far above the national average of 50%—NOVA emerged as the leading institution in Portugal, obtaining 100 positions for teaching and 128 for research careers.
This achievement will nearly triple the number of full-time researchers with permanent contracts at the university, ensuring greater career stability and fostering talent renewal. The success of this effort was driven by a collective commitment to improving research conditions, led by NOVA’s Strategic Research Council and the Vice-Rector for Research and Innovation.
Advancing Policy Reform
Through SECURE, NOVA has played a key role in revising policies to align with European best practices. The university finalized updates to its Regulation on Research Careers, Recruitment, and Employment Contracts, ensuring greater transparency and security for researchers. The researcher evaluation process was also reformulated to align with CoARA principles, promoting fairer and more inclusive assessment criteria. Additionally, NOVA prepared a new Regulation on Research Management Careers, reinforcing the importance of professional development for research managers.
Recognizing Open Science and Societal Impact
NOVA has strengthened its commitment to Open Science by integrating new research assessment criteria that recognize societal impact and diverse research contributions. In 2024, these principles will be incorporated into researcher evaluations, fostering a more transparent and inclusive approach.
Other key initiatives include the launch of an Open Science Guide to support researchers in adopting best practices and the university’s Research Impact Narratives Challenge, which was recognized as a best practice by the European Commission and featured in the EU Knowledge Valorisation Talks 2024.
Enhancing Career Development
Understanding the importance of long-term career support, NOVA conducted a comprehensive assessment of the training needs of researchers and research managers. More than 400 researchers benefited from targeted training sessions, including:
A webinar on Narrative CV Writing
Specialized guidance on European funding applications
Career development programs in collaboration with LS4Future Associated Laboratory
A new dedicated webpage (“Support Our Talent”) featuring best practices and career planning tools
NOVA is also developing a mentoring network with university experts and is preparing a two-week intensive training program for research managers, set to launch in 2025.
Commitment to HR Excellence in Research
As part of its long-term strategy, NOVA has initiated the application process for the HR Excellence in Research Award, reinforcing its commitment to fostering sustainable careers. Key steps in this process include:
An internal survey with 170+ responses to assess researcher perceptions
A gap analysis based on survey results and working group insights
Submission of the Endorsement Letter in December 2024
Through these actions, NOVA continues to play a leading role in improving research career pathways, contributing to a stronger and more sustainable research environment.
This is one of six SECURE trials – programs being implemented by institutions as part of the project. We will introduce each of them to showcase how different organizations are working to improve research career pathways across Europe.
These trials will be presented at the final SECURE summit in Brussels in March 2025.
Photo: Phil Riggins/Unsplash