Across the European Research Area (ERA), research careers are increasingly shaped by the convergence of ethics, governance, and human-centred institutional transformation. Building on findings from the Horizon Europe project SMART Researchers, this paper introduces a five-phase model for research career system development that operationalises excellence through sequential transformation layers: Normative, Structural, Human, Digital, and Societal. Normative - defining how excellence is governed through ethical and policy coherence; Structural - building where excellence happens through transparent and responsive HR systems; Human - empowering who delivers excellence by developing competencies, integrity, and leadership; Digital - enabling how excellence is evidenced, measured, and trusted via open and data-driven mechanisms; Societal - reaffirming why excellence matters through public engagement and shared value creation. Empirical insights are drawn from multi-country audits and surveys conducted under the SMART Researchers framework, integrating the European Charter for Researchers (2023), Council Recommendation on the European Framework for Research Careers (2023), and HRS4R principles. Preliminary analysis reveals significant disparities in ethical maturity and leadership capacity across institutions, but also a clear trajectory from compliance-based to reflexive, learning-driven excellence. By articulating the interdependence between normative alignment, human capability, and digital trust, the paper advances a new model of ethical intelligence in research leadership — positioning values not as static ideals, but as dynamic enablers of institutional and societal transformation.

Authors:
Danijela Ciric Lalic, University of Novi Sad, Serbia
Miroslav Vujičić, University of Novi Sad, Serbia
Uglješa Stankov, University of Novi Sad, Serbia
Ivana Bilić, University of Split, Croatia
Sanja Tišma, Institute for Development and International Relations, Croatia

About the Presenter(s)
Dr. Danijela Ćirić Lalić is an Assistant Professor at the University of Novi Sad, Faculty of Technical Sciences, Department of Industrial Engineering and Management.

Connect on Linkedin
https://www.linkedin.com/in/danijelaciriclalic/

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