Ok, weirder still. This job was listed as full time. It is now changed to full-time temporary. I wrote to ask the length of the job, and they couldn't say - maybe six months, maybe an anticipated 9 months, but it could be possibly longer. They said they just don't know.
Well bummer, then. I need a job that lasts at least a year. Half time, fine. Three-quarters time, fine. Full time, I'd do. But it has to be for at least a freaking year so I will have worked in the UK for a year before ceasing economic activity at the end of three years and, thus, cut two years off the "normal" leave to remain process.
I guess I could move forward with this and if it's offered and I accept (and nothing better comes along) and it ends after six months, between now and the six months perhaps I could get something else lined up? On the good side, it'd give me local references. On the bad side, it could be a total waste of my time if I can't line up something else to start immediately after this one ends. Plus, the money I'd earn would mean I have to suspend my social security payments, so I'd come out slightly less well-off finanically than sitting on my backside doing nothing.
Not sure I want to put in the effort of getting up and going to a drudge job all day every day for six to nine months, only to find out it won't serve my purposes.