Advice for job applicants

We strongly advise that you carefully read all available information about the post you are interested in before you start completing the form. The vacancy pack attached to the role includes a full job description and person specification (where appropriate) which details the skills, qualifications and experience we require.

The person specification is split into two sections: essential and desirable. You should ensure that you meet all of the essential criteria for the job, and that how you meet these criteria is communicated fully in your application. The desirable section contains a list of skills, qualifications and experience which would be beneficial for you to have.

You do not need to complete your application in one session, so you can review your responses fully before you submit it. To access a partially completed application form, log in, click on ‘Profile’ and then click on the vacancy you have applied for. Once you are satisfied you have completed a section, please ensure you click on ‘Are you satisfied that this section is complete?’ and save.

Mandatory fields are marked with a red star. You will not be allowed to complete a section until these fields have been filled in.

Your application will be assessed according to how you meet the knowledge, skills and attributes required. It is important when completing these questions to demonstrate how you meet the essential and, if possible, the desirable criteria for the role.

You will be required to provide us with the names and contact details of three referees (four for professorial appointments) who can give an opinion on your academic and/or professional work experience. These references should include your last two employers and cover at least the previous two years of your employment. If you have not been previously employed, please include your head teacher/tutor. If a referee knows you by a different last name, please ensure you provide details. We normally take up references prior to interview. If you do not wish us to contact your referees at this stage, please indicate this in your application.

If you wish to attach supporting documents/information, you can do this in the section ‘Documents to Upload’. Please note that a CV will not be considered as part of your application.

You will also be asked to provide information on diversity for monitoring purposes. This section of the application forms no part of the selection process and your details will not be made available to those individuals engaged in shortlisting.

Once you have completed all sections, a ‘Submit application’ link will appear. You will need to click on this link to complete your application. You can print out a PDF of your application for your records if you wish, and the electronic version of your application form will be saved on the system for you.

You will receive an automatic acknowledgement when your application is received.

The closing date for the job is shown on the job details. Please ensure your application reaches us by midnight (UK time) on the closing date.

For information on how we use your data, please refer to our Privacy notice.

We will use email to keep you informed as to whether you are successful or unsuccessful at each stage of the process. This may take several weeks depending on how long the panel takes to shortlist. We will normally communicate with you by email, so please check your inbox regularly. If it isn’t possible for us to communicate with you by email, please let us know well in advance.

It is important that the vacancy reference number is quoted on all correspondence. This is the code used in the advert and the vacancy pack.

If you wish to apply for another job with us in the future, there is no need to register to use our system again. Simply log in using the password you originally created. The system will have retained certain personal information about you (including your education and qualifications, current and previous employment, diversity data etc) so you do not need to re-enter it. However, you will be able to amend it if your circumstances or history have changed.

The shortlisting process will be based on the information you have provided in your application and supporting information. If you are shortlisted we will contact you via email to invite you to attend an interview. We will also let you know if you are required to give a presentation or undertake a test as part of the interview process.

Where applicable, any travelling expenses incurred as a result of attending an interview will be refunded at the equivalent of second class rail fare or, if a private car is used, an allowance of 25 pence per mile will be paid. Please complete and return the interview expenses form (Word, 82kb).

If you accept a job with us and are joining us from overseas you may need to obtain various documents before commencing your employment. We will be able to assist and support you with this process.

Citizens of countries other than the UK and Ireland may be required to have a valid work Visa or other appropriate document/s in order to reside and work in the UK.

If you need help determining which Visa route is best for you, detailed information can be found on the UK Home Office: Visas and Immigration page. Please also refer to our Guidance on UK Work Visas.

If you are outside the UK and considering joining Cranfield as a member of staff, please read our International Staff Guide. This covers various aspects of life in the UK and at Cranfield, such as healthcare, banking and tax, state benefits, travel, education/schooling and information about our support networks. 

We also offer support with the cost of relocating and associated immigration fees.