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New ECRs

This page provides information to help you in your first few days and weeks as you begin your role at Sussex.

We warmly welcome you into the researcher community here at Sussex and look forward to seeing you at future research staff events. We particularly hope you will be able to join the Researcher Development hosted "welcome lunch" which you will be invited to within your first term as part of your wider community induction process.

Checklist for New Researchers

Before you arrive...   (Logistics)

• Familiarise yourself with the Terms and Conditions of Employment
• See the Welcome Guide* for more information
• See the Sussex Digital Pack from Organisational Development. 
• If you are coming from abroad arrange any necessary visas and work permits 

• You can check what you will need at UK Visas and Immigration: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-visas-and-immigration.
  Make sure you leave plenty of time to arrange your visas

• Sign and return your “Staff Record Form” to HR
• Register any children with local childcare/schools
• There is a nursery and pre-school on campus 

• See the Welcome Guide* for more information

• Ensure you have the appropriate documents required for opening UK bank account (if coming from abroad) and for renting property.

• For banks you will need proof of your UK address and proof of income (e.g. last 3 months bank statements, previous payslips and University appointment letter)

• For renting you will need proof of income and guarantor information

• Check with banks and letting agents as to the specifics of the documentation you will need to provide

• Arrange accommodation
• See the Welcome Guide* for useful websites
• Familiarise yourself with the Research Staff Office's webpages, a hub of information and resources available for Sussex Researchers

*Please note the Welcome Guide is not fully up to date. It still holds useful information for new staff but please check the University's webpages for links to HR etc. We appriciate your patience as we transfer the guide information into an accessible format.  

On your first day at Sussex...   (Essentials)

• Familiarise yourself with the Campus Map!
• Take your paperwork to Human Resources (room 338, Sussex House). You will need:
  • Staff Record Form (if not returned in advance)
  • P45 or P46 (if you do not have a P45)
  • Completed Immigration, Asylum and Nationality form
  • Passport and/or other forms of identification as specified in your appointment information.
• Obtain your ITS username and password from IT Services in Shawcross building.
• Login to Sussex Direct to check your personal information and order a car parking permit if required.
• Visit the Print Unit in York building to obtain your University Card.
• Meet your supervisor and research group colleagues

In your first weeks...   (Local induction)

• Have a meeting with your PI/Manager to discuss your work objectives and career development goals: Guidance and templates to support your start of contract objective setting and career development discussion
• Meet your Head of Department and/or Head of School
• Meet your departmental/school administrator
• Meet the person with responsibility for research staff development within your school
• Health and Safety induction from your building’s Health and Safety Coodinator
• Meet your HR contact
• Meet the Research Staff Rep(s) for your school
• Familiarisation with key policies and guidance relating to your research/employment/safety
• Attend an induction to the Agresso Finance System
• Familiarisation with support and opportunities on offer to research staff through the Research Staff Webpages
• Familiarisation with University Strategy and Governance
• You will be subscribed to the Research Staff Mailing List, which is used to communicate news, events and other information relevant to researchers and those involved in supporting researchers.

 

In your first few months...   (Wider induction and community)

• You will be invited to a University induction from Organisational Development for all new members of staff.
• You will be invited to an ECR Welcome Lunch, hosted by the Research Staff Office. This event will give you an opportunity to:
• Meet other researchers that have also recently started at Sussex
• Find out about the range of support on offer to early career researchers across the university
• Find out about opportunities to get involved in the wider university community
• Ask any questions you may have relating to your role or working at Sussex in general
• Enjoy a free lunch!

Remember, if you have any questions or concerns about any aspect of your role as a ECR, the Research Staff Office are here to help. Please contact us at any time with your questions or to book an appointment. Discussions with the Research Staff Office are treated in confidence.

Resources for ECRs 

Contact Us

   @SussexResearchr