Female law student

Applying for a role at the University

Our advice on how to apply for a job at the University, and what to expect when you complete your application

Applying for a job can be a leap of faith, so we've demystified the process with this short guide on how to apply for a job with us. We also go through what to expect once you send us your application.

The information is arranged under the following headings to help you find what you want quickly:

Finding a role

Find a role by searching our current vacancies. With every job posted, you can quickly see a description of what the job entails, and the closing date for applications.

When you're applying for a role, please note that all our vacancies close at 11.59pm, local time, on the date shown. If you're late with your application, we can't consider you for the role – so don't leave it too late.

Salary scales

You'll also see details about where the job sits on our salary scales, and the level of salary you'll get. We're committed to paying the real Living Wage for all roles, as set by the .

You can find details of our current salary scales, including all the spine points and grades, in the table below. Each year, you'll progress another point within your grade, until you reach the top of it.

Current salary scales

ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú pay structure from April 2024

Grade Spine Point Current Salary (£)
1 6  23,152
2 7 23,152
  8 23,152
  9 23,152
  10 23,152
  11  23,581
3 12  24,044
  13  24,600
  14  25,148
  15  25,433
  16  26,038
4 17  26,642
  18  27,344
  19  28,081
  20  28,879
  21  29,659
  22  30,505
5 23  31,387
  24  32,296
  25  33,232
  26  33,882
6 27  34,866
  28  35,880
  29  36,924
  30  37,999
  31  39,105
7 32  40,247
  33 40,521
  34   42,632
  35  43,878
8 36  45,163
  37  46,485
  38  47,874
  39  49,250
  40  50,694
  41  52,183
  42  53,715
  43  55,295
9 44  56,921
  45  58,596
  46  60,321
  47  62,098
  48  63,929
  49  65,814
10 50  67,757
  51  69,757
  52  71,440
  53  73,072
  54  74,701
  55  76,335
  56  77,966
  57  79,611
11 58  81,244
  59  82,875
  60  84,523
  61  86,153
  62  87,802
  63  89,432
12 64  91,062
  65  92,696
  66  94,342
  67  95,972
  68  97,605
  69  99,237
  70  100,867
  71  102,499
  72  104,132

Applying for a role

To apply for a role, register your details on our job search pages. Signing up is quick and simple. 

Your account

By creating an account, you'll be able to search and apply for vacancies without having to enter your details each time you visit. We'll also save your previous searches so you can access them quickly.

Most importantly, your account gives you the flexibility to start and save your application, and return to it whenever you like. That means you can complete it section-by-section, rather than all at once.

You'll also be able to manage your applications, monitor their progress after the vacancy has closed, and print a paper copy of what you've submitted.

Get help with your application

All applications have to be made using our online system – for help and advice on using the system, email recruitmentenquiries@port.ac.uk.

The most important thing to remember is, whatever the position, we welcome applications from all candidates – regardless of age, disability, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religion or relationship status.

Applying for more than one job

If you've found more than one job you'd like to apply for, you'll need to submit an individual application for each job.

To make that process a little easier, our online system will save the application form you are working on so you can review and amend it as required.

Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)

When you are applying for a role at ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú, please note that some roles will require a DBS check. The type of jobs that will require a DBS (criminal record) check with be working with children, vulnerable adults and students. Some special research roles also require a DBS check, such as staff who need to apply for an NHS Research Passport. For more information email recruitmentenquiries@port.ac.uk. The is the governmental body which runs the checks, but HR will help you apply online for your check:

Disclosure and Barring Service Accordian

The application for a DBS check for a staff member or a job applicant follows these steps:

  1. The University will identify a need for you to be referred to the DBS.
  2. As soon as the University informs you that you require a DBS check then book a time with HR to conduct the check.
  3. Ensure you have the appropriate original documents to complete your for your DBS application.
  4. At the appointed time, report to the location specified in your appointment, bringing with you with the necessary original documents to .
  5. The HR officer will check your identification documents, and then return them to you.
  6. They will then complete the online application form with you and submit it to the DBS.
  7. After performing the appropriate checks, the DBS send the certificate directly to you. Human Resources will be notified by the DBS when the certificate is sent.
  8. You must be able to produce the original certificate as evidence of the outcome of the referral.

Generally, it can take up to 14 working days (3 weeks) to complete a DBS check, from the time the DBS receive the completed online form.

The links below give more detailed information on the Disclosure and Barring Service:

  • This link gives more detailed guidance on the .
  • If you are Scottish, you can personally apply for a (administered by Disclosure Scotland) at any time: this does not need to be submitted via the University. The Basic Disclosure will include details of convictions considered unspent under The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.
  • Make sure you have acceptable ID documents – there are specific requirements for the documents to provide evidence of .
  • If you have a non-GB driving licence, you need to check whether , and therefore acceptable as proof of identity.

The selection process

Once the closing date has passed, a selection panel will consider all applications received on time to identify the people they want to interview.

The University is an equal opportunities employer. The University is a member of the Stonewall Diversity Champions programme and DisabledGo. We encourage and welcome applications from all candidates irrespective of age, disability, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religion or belief, or marital or civil partnership status.

Candidates are considered by how well they meet the job description and person specification, and if we select you for the next stage – the interview – we'll contact you as soon as possible with a time and date. The email we send also highlights what to expect during the interview process.

Disclosing further information

At this stage, we ask all applicants for the same equality monitoring information. This information isn't shared with recruitment panels and forms no part of the shortlisting or interview process.

We do, however, ask you to let us know if you're disabled. This is so we can make any appropriate arrangements. The information you give won't affect our decision.

Another important thing to consider at this stage is that you'll need to provide proof of any relevant qualifications you've listed, so make sure you have them somewhere to hand.

Attending your interview

Our people are friendly and approachable, so while your interview is obviously important to your chances of getting the job, it's nothing to fear. After all, you've been shortlisted based solely on how well you fit the role.

Once your interview is complete, we'll make a decision as quickly as possible. If you've got the job, we'll be in contact to offer you the position.

References are only taken up once you have accepted our verbal offer of employment. All our roles are offered subject to collecting satisfactory references. For all our roles, we'll need 2 references that cover the last 3 years of employment. One must be your current or most recent employer, and from someone senior to you with direct knowledge of your work.

If you don't have a recent employer, you can include referees related to any unpaid employment, or personal referees in a position of responsibility who can comment on your character – such as a lawyer, doctor or church leader. If you're a school leaver or recent graduate you can include lecturers or tutors as appropriate.

Claiming interview expenses

If you're entitled to claim expenses for your interview, we'll send you a link to an expenses form. Once completed, return it with receipts to the School or Department that interviewed you, as soon as possible following your interview.

Proving your right to work

We have a duty to prevent illegal working, so we carry out document checks to confirm that all applicants have the right to work in the UK, and are permitted to do the type of work they are applying for. You must supply the original documents, and bring them to your interview.

If you're a non-EEA applicant working at or visiting the University, you can get a copy of our Applying for a Visa guidance document – which features important information on current UK Visa & Immigration Service (UKVI) requirements for either new or existing non UK/EEA staff – by emailing recruitmentenquiries@port.ac.uk.

It includes information on types of visa, recruitment and application as well as the duties and responsibilities of both recruiters and visa holders. Failure to adhere to the requirements of the UKVI could impact on the University’s ability to recruit international applicants.

For further information on visas and working in the UK, please visit the UK government's page, which contains lots of useful advice and guidance.