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IER is hiring a new Research Fellow

The Institute for Employment Research (IER) is seeking to appoint an outstanding Research Fellow to contribute to developing and enhancing its reputation as an internationally leading, multi-disciplinary research-only institute. It is an opportunity for a researcher who wants to make a difference to be involved in policy-relevant research.

Research Fellows have the opportunity to gain experience in designing and conducting research projects and in disseminating findings. IER’s research tends to be team-based but all researchers are encouraged to develop their own research interests.

The deadline for applying is Monday 2nd February 2026 at 11:55pm (UK Time)

Read more about the role .

Launch of the UK Standard Skills Classification

For the past two years research staff at the IER and the University of Sheffield, in collaboration with Omnifolio, have been working to create the first Standard Classification of Skills (SSC) for the UK, on behalf of Skills England. The prototype version of this classification was released on November 27, 2025, accompanied by a , allowing users to browse the classification and explore links to occupations and qualifications, and an , detailing the methodology and some examples of use cases. In addition, the provides an overview of the tool and its beneficiaries.

The SSC prototype is now moving towards the release of version 1.0 of the classification in spring 2026, incorporating comments from users. Initial responses to the release of the prototype have been favourable. For further information, visit the IER news webpage or contact Peter.Elias@warwick.ac.uk.

Bachelor, N., Cardenas Rubio, J., Day, R., Dickerson, A. and Elias, P. (2025). .

Exporting status differences? The stratification of British transnational higher education

A new by IER’s Dr Sangwoo Lee and Dr Eva Hartmann (University of Cambridge) examines how institutional hierarchies within UK higher education are reproduced through transnational education (TNE). Using panel data from the Higher Education Statistics Agency covering 178 UK universities between 2014/15 and 2023/24, the study shows that institutional status is a significant predictor of how universities engage in TNE.

Elite universities are less likely to participate in large-scale collaborative or franchised provision, while post-92 universities dominate this fastest-growing area of TNE activity. The findings suggest that TNE exports not only British degrees, but also the status distinctions embedded within the UK higher education system. The paper contributes to emerging critical perspectives on the internationalisation of higher education and highlights the need to consider how power, reputation and hierarchy shape the global circulation of UK qualifications.

Read more in the author’s commentary in the .

Hartmann, E., & Lee, S. (2026). Exporting status differences? The stratification of British transnational higher education. Globalisation, Societies and Education.

Sustainable work and musculoskeletal health

The IER's Prof Chris WarhurstLink opens in a new window, Prof Gill DixLink opens in a new window, Prof Phil TaylorLink opens in a new window, Dr Eli DuttonLink opens in a new window, Hilda RagnarsdottirLink opens in a new window and Dr Laura BoothmanLink opens in a new window were pleased to co-host a sandpit with Orthopaedic Research UK on 21 January. Prof Martin Underwood and Dr Fatema Dhaif from WMS also joined the event, alongside sector representatives and Government leads on health and work.

The event's focus was on 'Designing sustainable work to support and prevent musculoskeletal conditions across the working life course'. A key theme was the sustainability of jobs and careers. The group discussed opportunities both to prevent poor musculoskeletal health and accommodate the needs of those with health conditions to enable them to thrive in the workplace.

Image credit: Orthopaedic Research UK People