Applying for 2 jobs in the same department?

[MadTea]

Hi,

There are two research jobs that have come up in the same department, but slightly different areas. I am super keen on the first (A) and I have already put an application in for that. The second (B) I am keen on too but not as much as the first. The deadline for both is in the same week. Is it OK to put in an application for the second post (B), or could it jeopardize my chance of getting the first (A)?

I actually think this is ok, if you are qualified for both. Is it a lectureship? Presumably you are much better suited to one than the other, but my dpt is such that i could just about reasonably put myself forward for two existing posts. You could ask their HR contact?

@Yogafire it's a research post so I fulfil the criteria for both, although one is more aligned to my interests. Perhaps I should ask HR but I feel like I don't want to highlight it to them? Do HR do the initial short list or does the person hiring? It's a Russell group uni if that's relevant

It's common for people to apply for all jobs for which they are qualified - there aren't that many jobs in academia, so why wouldn't people apply for all of them? Applying for both would not affect your chances in either.

HR would not make the shortlist, ever, in any institution I know - this is an academic decision.

Apply for both, it’s not at all uncommon for someone to apply for more than one position in a department. Where I am the shortlist is drawn up by a group of academics, using a set of criteria, unless the same person was on both panels they would not know if you had applied for both jobs, and even if they do notice I don’t think it would make any difference. What we cannot do is take an applicant for one job and put them into the list for another, however much we think it would suit them better, so better to apply for both.

Thank you, I will put the other application in!

Yeah that's why I was saying HR - as in they won't be involved in short listing, more the management of the process, so you could speak to them about any questions without flagging yourself up to the people judging your application.

@Yogafire Thanks, I will speak to them.