Since the labour market has opened up it has become increasingly possible for employers to attract the most highly qualified researchers from across the globe. However, international researchers may need extra support and practical advice when they come to work in the UK.

Attracting foreign researchers to work in your organisation
If you would like to tap into the pool of international researchers it is important to advertise in the right places. Many internationally renowned institutes will allow you to post relevant job adverts on their internal notice boards, so you could, for example, identify foreign centres of excellence in your field and send them an advertisement for your position.

You can also register your organisation on the EU Researcher’s Mobility Portal and then post job adverts and search through the CV bank for suitable candidates.

If you would like more information about how to access European funding for research, you could visit the website of the UK Research Office, who provide information and advice on European funding. The Department of Trade and Industry also has useful webpages, dedicated to the new Framework Programme (FP7), which started at the beginning of 2007. The FP7 ‘People’ programme will allow greater industrial participation, in particular for Small and Medium sized Enterprises (SMEs); for more information, visit the Cordis website.

Key issues for international researchers coming to the UK
Below are some of the key issues for international researchers when coming to the UK. You may be able to help them with some of these issues in order to make their transition easier.

			Accommodation. One thing which could make a big difference to an international researcher is if you could help arrange their accommodation before they arrive, even if it is only for a few months. Not only does this make the move smoother, but it will also make it easier for them to get a bank account in the UK.
			Bank accounts. One of the most frequent problems faced by international researchers coming to the UK is how to open a bank account. You could help by writing an official letter to the researcher’s UK address, stating their terms of employment. You could also suggest that the researcher notifies their home bank of their new UK address and gets a statement sent to this address. This should help them open a bank account.
			Bringing family. If the researcher is bringing his/her family they may appreciate being put in touch with other researchers with children so that they can ask about childcare, schools etc.
			Socialising. One simple thing that could be done, is to help the researcher enter into the social life of the organisation, especially during the first few weeks, when they could feel isolated.
			Support networks. You could also find out if there is a post-doc or international student network in your organisation and put the researcher in touch with it. If no formal network exists the researcher may simply benefit from meeting any other international researchers who are working in the organisation.
			Tax and National Insurance. International researchers may need help with regards to tax and national insurance. Their tax status will depend on their circumstances, and whether they are receiving funding from abroad. There are often agreements in place to prevent double taxation (depending on the country where the money comes from) and if a stipend is purely for maintenance whilst training (i.e. not a salary), it is possible that no tax will be levied. However, the situation is often complex and the researcher may need to contact HM Revenue and Customs to clarify their position. You could make it easier by asking your Human Resources department to look into the issue of tax in advance.
			Visas and work permits Researchers from outside the EEA may need help with visa applications. Also, if a researcher needs a work permit they cannot apply for this themselves; the application must come from their prospective employer. For more information about work permits visit the ‘Working in the UK’ website, which has information for employers.

There is more detailed information throughout this site about specific issues and you can also contact your local mobility centres for more detailed regional information.