Hi - from experience as a recruiter at that level (but caveat - discipline and institutional variation etc etc)
most important - make it dead obvious how you meet the essential criteria, to get an interview. Cross reference etc., concise - if I get a 8 page cover letter I despair! 3-4 page absolute max.
- There is opportunity to upload papers. Should I do this, even though the application pack does not specifically ask for it?
No. Doi links in CV, they’ll find them online if interested. Mostly don’t have the time to read papers
- Should I also upload my PFHEA application as evidence of the my strategic educational engagement? The role is in an education-focused institute. The application does not ask for PFHEA.
maybe. More important to mention it prominently in CV. just reading it again -is it just at application stage though? If yes then not in CV, mention in cover letter
- The application asks for research activity that is internationally recognised. This is what I have currently written: "The majority of my papers are published in high impact, Q1-rated journals (most recently, Journal Name, Journal Name). Two of my papers formed part of my school’s submission to the 2021 REF, in which more than 80% of outputs were assessed as being ‘internationally leading’" However, I don't know whether my specific papers got a 3 star rating - we were not told.
what you’ve written is fine. No one knows specific outcomes
- The application pack makes no reference to impact, but I submitted a sole-authored impact case study for REF2021. Should I mention this as evidence of internationally leading research. I know that my impact case study was at least rated 3 as all of my school's submissions had either a 3 or a 4* - we just don't know which was which.
yes I would mention and mention that all rated 3*+
- I currently have 10! (yes, stupid, I know) PhD students. Should I mention this or is this potentially off-putting? Two of them will likely submit early next year.
It’s fine - never heard anyone complain about applicants working too hard
- In the CV, I have one section 'Current academic position' under which, in bullet points, I elaborate on my main tasks and achievements. I mention other roles under 'Previous academic roles', but just with the job titles and dates - I didn't really have much responsibility in these roles, and they are also really long ago. does that sound ok?
yes. Only really interested in last few years
- Research funding - split section into internal and external?
depends. Internal doesn’t count for much as it’s just shifting the uni’s budgets around. So if splitting stresses that there’s not much external then no good. If nice external funding then yes, as it highlights that you can win ‘real money’
- mention external examiner roles for PhDs with Thesis titles?
no, just say examined xx PhDs at other institutions (if any international then give those numbers separately). If it’s RG uni then could add (including at Oxford, Edinburgh etc to indicate you’ve got links in RG institutions)
- PhD supervision: At the moment, I have split the section between "Completed" and "in progress" and have just provided the thesis titles - does that sound right? This will also give away the number of students I currently have.
current students is fine. Yes they will want to know about successful completions. Are they mostly/all on time, in which case I’d add something like 90% completed within allocate 4 years / funded period or whatever. If not leave out
- Include publications list on the CV? If so, how far back? Split into themes? What metrics do I mention for publications? At the moment, I have got the following:
all journal publications. Start with newest. no, not by theme, just chronological list. Standard citation format for your field but include doi/or embed full text link. could include a separate section for Key reports / conference papers / policy briefings or whatever goes as outputs in your field.
Unless they ask for metrics I wouldn’t - it’s very controversial
Complete reference. Q1 Journal, 10 citations.
- Are there any other research metrics I should include? Which ones?
- Is a CV of 4 pages, including references, ok?
most I see are substantially longer at that level. Front page with key info, strongest foot forward stuff, then a longer academic CV which lists grants, papers, teaching experience, research and teaching leadership experience, KT/Impact/etc experience (media? Government relationships? Business? Etc), esteem markers like editorial roles, advisory group memberships, learned society roles etc, key collaborations with HEI / external partners, sometimes including sections on EDI work, supporting junior colleagues, any change management experience etc. depends a bit on the role though and if there’s any leadership involved.
hope that helps!