Negotiating a higher salary in London (Higher Education role)

[SapphOhNo]

Hello,

Hoping some wise mumsnetters can help me.

I've been offered a role at a University in London, the role is essentially a sideways move.

I'm currently on £48k but this is in the north. The role is advertised at £51k-£60k. They've sent me the offer by email at the bottom end of the pay scale £51k and whilst I appreciate this is more than what I earn, I want to negotiate to start much higher in the scale to account for London weighting/cost of living down there.

I want to ask for my current salary + at least 20% so somewhere upwards of £58k.

My question is

1. is this reasonable/normal when moving to London?
2. how to word it?

To note, I have direct experience in similar roles, at similar university (both Russell group) so this is definitely not a promotion.

Seems reasonable to me. Otherwise based on London weighting you'd essentially be taking a pay cut

Sadly they are most likely to be only able to pay at the bottom of the grade. It's worth asking, but hardly ever happens. You'll go up a spinal point every October, as sure you have been doing in your current role.