Commission de la relève scientifique

The Rectorate has the power to set up consultative committees to assist it in its policy for the management of the institution. These committees exist by decision of the Rectorate for the duration of its term of office, at the end of which they are dissolved or reconstituted. For each committee, the Rectorate decides how the faculties, associations and departments are to be represented. It appoints its representative and chooses the person to chair the committee.

It is the Rectorate's responsibility to ensure that the committees are properly constituted.

The Commission de la relève académique was created in 2011. Dissolved in June 2016, the Commission was renewed for the period 2016-2021, under the name of Commission de la relève scientifique (CRS). It has now been renewed for the period 2022-2025.

In English, the name translates unofficially as the committee for early career researchers (ECR).

Mission

The Commission's mission is to support the Rectorate in its policy for early career researchers, and support its implementation. The Commission is a forum for discussion and consultation on the issue of early career researchers at UNIL. The exchanges that take place within the Commission make it possible to raise members' awareness regarding institutional policy issues, and to formulate proposals and recommendations to the Rectorate.

Mandate

The mandate of the Commission is to:

• Build a common reflection on the needs of early career researchers;
• Monitor the evolving situation of early career researchers;
• Promote the interests of early career researchers within each faculty and across the institution;
• Make recommendations and propose measures to encourage early career researchers;
• Propose actions to support the transition to a non-academic career.

Tasks

More specifically, the Commission carries out the following tasks:

• Monitoring of the 2020-2025 "Plans Relève" (ECR career paths) of each faculty;
• Participate in the drafting of general doctoral regulations;
• Reflect on favourable framework conditions for carrying out a doctorate (supervision, activity rate, etc.);
• Be informed about the support measures in place in each faculty;
• Encourage the development and recognition of cross-disciplinary skills in early career researchers;
• Promote support for academic and extra-academic career planning;
• Identify the specific needs of post-doctoral staff and propose measures to encourage them;
• Oversee the support offered to early career researchers to reconcile academic career and family life (part-time, teaching release, financial support, etc.) ;
• Participate in the dissemination of good practice within and between faculties ;
• Contribute to the work of the Graduate Campus through feedback and proposals for its current or future activities.

The commission is composed of 21 members:

1. One representative from the professorial body of each faculty (seven professors)
2. Seven representatives of the early career researcher body of each faculty (including at least three doctoral candidates and at least three postdoctoral researchers)
3. One representative of the student body
4. One representative of the Human Resources Department (SRH)
5. One representative from the Vocational Guidance and Career Service (SOC)
6. One representative from the Equality Office (BEC)
7. One representative from the Research Service (SR)
8. The vice-rector for Research
9. The president of the Commission (a professor or MER, appointed by the Rectorate)