Our recruitment process

Our recruitment process is driven by our vision: “Professional people working together to deliver quality services for the benefit of the research community”. We are seeking talented people who have the right skills; who share our corporate values; and who will make a positive contribution to the work of the Research Councils. 

Attracting the right people

All of our vacancies will be advertised on this website. We will also source candidates through adverts and recruitment agencies. All vacancies will usually be advertised internally and will be included in the SSC weekly vacancy pack.

Recruitment packs (including application forms) for any vacancies can be obtained by contacting us by phone or email. We are committed to being the ‘employer of choice’ by setting new standards of employment for the public sector. This includes:

•    A culture that is focused on strong performance
•    Recognition of excellence wherever it is found
•    Empowering employees whilst helping them to enjoy a healthy life/work balance

Adopting the right approach

We are committed to consistent and fair selection techniques:

•    Selection tools may include telephone screening, ability tests, role plays, group exercises, presentations, and psychometric questionnaires.
•    Wherever possible, the interview date will be included in the advert for the post. Invitations to the interview will be issued five working days before this date.
•    Interview questions will be based upon the competencies needed to fill the vacancy, and will be carried out by trained interviewers. 

Communicating the right decision

We are committed to making our decision about the right candidate for the post based on merit and on measures that are relevant to the demands of the job.

•    All internal candidates will be given verbal feedback.
•    All interviewed candidates will notified individually of the result.
•    Candidates who have taken ability tests or psychometric tests will also be offered feedback, on a face-to-face basis wherever possible.

Where appropriate, verbal offers of employment will be made by a Recruitment Advisor. Written offers of employment are made subject to the receipt of satisfactory references. We also carry out various pre-employment checks as standard practice.

SSC – the right jobs for the right people