I went for a postdoc job last year and had to produce three references up front even before shortlisting - I found this really unnecessary and just lazy on behalf of the university. In the 'real world', companies don't request references until a job has been offered to a candidate because they don't value what's written in them anymore.

Similar question; I'm waiting for a reference to come through, its been a few weeks and I've sent instructions from the University I've applied to and last week I sent a polite reminder (also thanking them for agreeing to supply a reference!) but I'm a bit concerned. Can a referee change their minds after agreeing to send a reference, without telling me?