Ensure that structures are in place so that those recruiting researchers understand their responsibilities under the University's recruitment guidance.

Guidance is available online, including a summary of employer responsibilities relating to equal opportunities.

Sound selection and recruitment requires:

  1. definition of the role's contribution to the research project (it is recognised that this may change, for example as the project matures). This definition should be used as the basis for an advertisement for the post. At this stage, an appropriate job title must be selected and pre-employment checks necessary for the post must be identified. Ensure that structures are in place so that members of staff are aware of the responsibilities that they have in this process. Guidance concerning job titles and pre-employment checks is available online.
  2. consideration of methods which will be used during selection and which selection criteria will be used to assess each application;
  3. advertising the position through the Recruitment Administration System;
  4. conducting interviews and completing any other selection tests;
  5. selection of the preferred candidate, on the basis of an objective assessment against the selection criteria;
  6. using University online guidance on determining salary, unless the funder or fellowship scheme applies a different pay scale;
  7. ensuring that structures are in place to enable the following:
    1. the researcher is sent a conditional offer letter (a template is available online);
    2. the researcher's details and the offer made to him/her are supplied to the relevant member of support staff, who will record these details in CHRIS (the HR and Payroll system) and who will return the completed staff appointment form to the Recruitment Administration team with the required supporting documentation;
    3. the researcher has either a fixed-term contract or an open-ended contract (guidance on the use of appropriate contracts is provided online);
    4. an induction programme is devised, covering the first few weeks of employment (guidance and checklists are available online);
    5. an appropriate probationary period is set in accordance with University guidance (available online).