University of Essex reveals expansion plans

The University of Essex is planning its biggest ever recruitment drive as it sets out ambitions to increase its research power.

By 2025 the university wants to create 100 new academic posts and 50 professional services roles, bringing the number of researchers to 1,000 and making this the largest expansion in its 55-year history.

The move comes as several universities including the University of Reading and Cardiff University are running redundancy schemes to cut staff numbers.