Emeritus Status at CNRS Physics
On the occasion of the publication of a recommendation by its Scientific Council regarding emeritus status, CNRS Physics wishes to reiterate several important points, largely based on the CNRS HR Department’s Emeritus Circular.
Emeritus researchers are retired staff members who hold the status of voluntary collaborators. They do not qualify as permanent researchers, and in particular, they can no longer supervise or lead research teams. Likewise, they can no longer respond to calls for proposals in their own name or by delegation, nor sign partnership agreements.
The continuation of their scientific activities—something CNRS Physics naturally views very positively—may require resources (workspaces, travel funds, access to instruments and other resources) that the laboratory provides for them. However, the allocation of such resources must not come at the expense of active researchers, who take priority. CNRS Physics believes it is up to the laboratory’s leadership to assess the level of support that can be granted to these retired colleagues, who are sometimes distinguished and often still very active, while ensuring that this does not impact the professional development of active researchers, especially early-career scientists.
Finally, CNRS Physics encourages each laboratory to clearly define the rights and responsibilities of emeritus researchers in its internal regulations and to involve the laboratory council in the consultation process when the unit’s leadership is issuing a first emeritus appointment or its renewal.