Recruitment Home
Once you've found a job you're interested in, you'll need to complete an online application. When answering our questions please use your own words without the use of AI assistance as we check for this. The information you provide helps us see how your experience matches to the role. Your application is automatically saved, allowing you to make amendments until you press submit. After submission, you'll receive a confirmation email from us. We understand the effort it takes to apply, so your application will be carefully reviewed by our recruitment team and the hiring manager. We'll inform you of the outcome, whatever it may be.
If you’re a match, we’ll get in touch to arrange an interview. We use virtual and in person interviews depending on the role. As part of the interview process it’s likely we’ll ask you to complete a task. We do this as we believe that it creates a better opportunity for you to demonstrate your skills and suitability to the role. Part of our process will also include a competency-based interview. We’ll ask you questions which focus on how you’ve used your skills, knowledge and experience in specific tasks in previous roles. You’ll be providing us with relevant examples of your work experience which demonstrate your ability to do the job you’ve applied for.
Once your interview or assessment is completed, we’ll be back in touch to let you have our decision. In some cases, we may invite you back for a further interview. If we offer you a role with us it will be on the basis that you pass the pre-engagement checks which include a right to work check, references and a criminal record check relevant to the role. We’ll also let you know if you haven’t been successful and provide you with further feedback at your request.
You can update your name, email address and contact details by logging into your profile.
If for any reason you want to change your CV just email the updated version to hr@nfer.ac.uk
This is a tricky one. If you have already submitted your application then we’re unable to make any changes to the answers you have provided. However, you can advise us of the change by email and we will add a note to your application.
For any technical issues or queries please contact us at hr@nfer.ac.uk
We aim to review applications within seven days of the shorting date. Some of the roles produce a high volume of applications which means it can take longer. We will keep you informed by sending a quick email just letting you know how we are getting on. We respect the time and effort you have taken to complete an application and we will always let you know an outcome, whatever it is.
If you know the area or type of work you are interested in then we recommend you sign up for job alerts. We will then email you when a job you may be interested in becomes open.
If your application is unsuccessful and you’d like to know more, email us at hr@nfer.ac.uk
We do provide sponsorship for some of our roles and where this applies it will say so in the job advert. You would need to pay for your part of the sponsorship and any dependants visa. You can contact us if you have further questions: hr@nfer.ac.uk
We do take interns to come and work with us for four to eight weeks. You will be involved in project-related work. If this is something that interests you just email us at hr@nfer.ac.uk and provide details of the type of work you would be interested in, when you are available and an overview of how this experience matches your studies.
If the role you’ve applied for visits or works in schools you’ll need to have a clear enhanced criminal record check. For all other roles you’ll be asked to do a basic level criminal record check. Don’t be put off if you have a criminal record as we take care to ensure any decisions are based on the needs of the role. You can find out more in our policy for recruiting people with criminal records or feel free to contact us for a confidential chat at hr@nfer.ac.uk
We don’t always use closing dates. Instead we let you know when we are starting the shortlisting stage. We keep on accepting and reviewing applications until we reach the final interview stage. Unfortunately, once a role closes we are unable to accept further applications. If you are unsure, email us and we will let you know what stage we are at and when a role is likely to close.
Yes, view our equal opportunities policy which helps us attract, develop and retain outstanding talent – regardless of background. We have designed our selection and assessment processes to remove bias and be free from discrimination. Everyone is given access to opportunities within the organisation.
In the UK we are required to monitor the equality and diversity of candidates who submit applications. We use this information only for monitoring purposes and the answers you provide do not form part of your application. It remains 100% confidential and will only be used for reporting purposes. It is optional but we hope that you will share this information with us to enable us to monitor the demographics and diversity of our recruitment.
We understand that every person has unique needs to perform at their best, and we are committed to providing an inclusive and supportive interview process. Reasonable adjustments are modifications or accommodations made to remove barriers and ensure equal participation. For example, you could request additional time to complete tasks if you have cognitive or processing need, or ask for live captions or a sign language interpreter if you are deaf or hard of hearing. Additionally, you might request a quiet and distraction-free environment when you come in for an interview or bring with you notes, fidget spinners or gadgets which assist you to an interview. If you require any adjustments to participate fully at any stage of the recruitment process, just email us at hr@nfer.ac.uk
None of our roles are fully remote. The amount of time you spend in the office can vary from once a month to five days a week, and we specify this in the job information pack. Around 60% of our teams work from home and come in once a month. There is always a desk available for colleagues who prefer working in the office, and we have a thriving office community situated on five acres of green land on the edge of Slough, with free parking.
You can find our privacy notice here.
We do not work with agencies on a speculative basis. We have a direct sourcing model and when we need extra support we have strong partnerships in place to provide the necessary expertise. We ask that agencies do not contact us as we will not be able to respond.
We ask for references covering the last three years (including any periods abroad of six months or more). We typically only seek these references once you have been offered and accepted a role with us. If we wished to seek references ahead of an employment offer we would contact you in the first instance to gain your permission.