Tier 4 to Tier 2 visa switch as Research Assistant?

[a235bha]

Hi! I was wondering if a University research assistant job is eligible for Tier 2 sponsorship? I am currently on a Tier 4 visa at this university and will be completing my degree next summer.

According to the University's website...

"Common misconceptions that employers may have include:

That they only have a limited number of work permits they can allocate in a year
That they have to conduct a resident labour market test – this checks to ensure no one in the UK or EU can do the role you are applying for

Existing Tier 4 visa holders do not have to adhere to the above conditions when applying for a Tier 2 visa."

And looking at the UKVI COS Research Assistant jobs qualify under:

2111 Chemical Scientists
2112 Biological Scientists and Biochemists
2113 Physical Scientists
2114 Social and Humanities Scientists.

For many of these the minimum entry level salary is £21,000. The job I am looking at is 2 years fixed post for minimum £26,000 per year. I have emailed the contact person asking if the position is Tier 2 eligible but so far no reply. Any insight here? I've heard it's nearly impossible to get a Tier 2 visa anymore but it seems like there is no reason for this to not qualify?

Thank you!!

[Frontier Mole]

The job role SOC group you mentioned would be acceptable, as would the salary.
The issue would be the RLMT- until you pass a degree or above in the U.K. in your last period of continuous tier 4 leave you are not exempt. So the role would have to be fully advertised and if a degree was a a requirement you would not be deemed a suitable candidate.