SETU is committed to providing fair, transparent and supportive working conditions for researchers, in line with the European Charter & Code. Researchers at SETU are recognised as professionals and benefit from employment terms aligned with Irish legislation, including statutory social security, leave entitlements and health, safety and wellbeing provisions.
Working Conditions
SETU supports researchers through:
- clear and transparent employment contracts;
- access to statutory leave and family-friendly policies;
- a safe and healthy working environment supported by institutional health and safety frameworks;
- workload processes that promote clarity, sustainability and equity;
- supports for induction, mobility and exit processes across campuses.
These arrangements reflect national employment law and underpin SETU’s commitment to developing a supportive and inclusive research environment.
Social Security and Auto-Enrolment (from 2026)
From 1 January 2026, Ireland will introduce the State Auto-Enrolment Retirement Savings System (MyFutureFund), operated by the National Automatic Enrolment Retirement Savings Authority (NAERSA). Eligible employees including researchers will be automatically enrolled and contribute alongside employer and State contributions. Researchers will have access to the MyFutureFund portal once operational, with the option to opt out after the initial mandatory six-month period.
Future Enhancements (2026–2029)
Planned developments under SETU’s HRS4R Action Plan include strengthened induction, mobility and exit processes, a more coherent workload approach, and enhanced wellbeing and inclusion supports, aligned with emerging OECD best practice for researcher careers and healthy research environments.