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Leicester University is seeking to recruit an additional 12 academics - who will have specially reduced teaching loads - in the second wave of its "new blood" campaign to find research talent.

The first phase of the recruitment drive last year attracted more than 1,000 applicants for 21 new-blood lectureships, and the university this week confirmed a new campaign as part of its ?300 million development plan.

In an advertisement in this week's Times Higher , Robert Burgess, the vice-chancellor of Leicester, has written an open letter guaranteeing "reduced teaching loads, study leave and start-up funding as part of an appointment package".

The posts, with salaries of up to ?45,000 on offer, are available in the fields of economics, sociology, historical studies, engineering, geography, management, mathematics and biological sciences.