Staff Recruitment

Recruiting talented and diverse individuals is key to achieving the Imperial College London’s core mission as well as cultivating a supportive, diverse, and considerate community based on inclusivity, mutual respect and a commitment to excellence. The Recruitment and Selection Policy provides an overview of the College’s approach to recruitment and selection as well as the legal requirements involved. It should be read and implemented in conjunction with the appropriate procedure and process for a specific job family and contract type. 

Information regarding other recruitment related policies and procedures can be accessed here:

• Fixed term contracts
• Starting salaries

Getting recruitment right is key, and we’re here to support you every step of the way.

To ensure a smooth and effective process, all staff involved in recruitment are required to complete the Recruitment and Selection e-learning course. This quick, essential training covers everything you need to know before hiring a new team member.

For a deeper dive, we highly recommend attending our full-day course. This practical, hands-on session will equip you with skills for key stages of recruitment, including shortlisting and interviewing.

It’s also valuable to explore our guidance on unconscious bias to better understand its impact on decision-making.

Need help or have specific questions? Contact us anytime at recruitmenthub@imperial.ac.uk – we’re here to help!

Imperial has a legal obligation to ensure that all prospective employees and casual workers have the right to work in the UK before they commence employment.

The HR Immigration webpages on Recruiters' guidance and carrying out Right to Work checks outline the actions required and responsibilities.

Failure to comply with these requirements could result in a civil penalty for managers and HR staff who employ workers without the legal right to work of up to £60,000 per worker, and for those who knowingly employ illegal workers a maximum 2-year prison sentence and/or an unlimited fine.

All non-UK / Irish nationals require UK Government permission to work and live in the UK (unless exempt) before they commence employment.

For further information please refer to the visa and right to work guidance, and for advice and support please contact the Staff Immigration & Compliance Team.

At Imperial, we are committed to safe and responsible recruitment and selection. It is our statutory responsibility to ensure background checks are carried out for all roles - employed or voluntary-  that involve working with children, young people under the age of 18, and/or vulnerable adults to create a safe and supportive environment for everyone. For further information please refer to the Safer Recruitment guidance.

If you are recruiting to a sensitive role - such as those listed under the Exception Order of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, it is important to speak with the recruitment team before the beginning of the process. Sensitive roles might include:

• work with children or vulnerable adults
• healthcare or health service roles
• chartered/certified accountants appointments
• financial services appointments
• work involving matters of national security

The recruitment team will help you determine whether or not a Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) is required to ensure candidates are the right fit for the role.

Detailed information can be found on the DBS guidance page.

• All sensitive data, including recruitment documents, must be collected, processed and stored securely and confidentially in accordance with the Data Protection Act (DPA) 2018 and UK GDPR. Further information is available from the College’s Data Protection policy.
• Any candidate's information must be treated confidentially and should not be circulated for consideration for other vacancies without the express consent of the candidate.