SIR – At the beginning of the year I applied for two technical positions at the University of Worcester, having lived away from home Monday to Thursday for some 20 years.

In my online applications, I detailed my 25 years’ research and student supervision experience within the pharmaceutical industry.

The reply to my first application informed me that other applications had met the job specification more closely.

After submitting my second application to what was initially an open position, I received no response, but noted the position posted on the university website was amended the following day as being closed to University of Worcester employees only.

In June this year, I applied for a similar technical position at another institution within reasonable daily travelling distance from south Worcestershire.

I was offered a revised technical/research position during interview.

In the four months since starting my new position I have attracted £750,000 of funding from three blue chip pharmaceutical/biotech companies.

The same research could have been possible at the University of Worcester as two of the sponsors included all necessary capital investment.

The institution I currently work for was recently listed within the top 10 of the Sunday Times good university guide.

JAMES PETERS

Defford