Research Operations

You would provide administrative support to the Head of Research Governance, and other senior staff in their work of leading and managing the University’s responsibilities in its Sponsorship of clinical and other research, both in-house and conducted within NHS Trusts across the UK. 

Your main function will be the administration of the documentation and processes for all types of research protocols to ensure timely processing, tracking and that accurate records are made. You will be responsible for the management of the shared email inbox of the Research Governance Team and allocate work to individuals, monitoring progress and workload. As part of supporting the Research Governance Team you will check research protocol applications (received via email) for adherence to HRA, REC, MHRA and NHS Trust R&D set requirements (i.e. validate the application) and allocate to the Research Governance Officers for full governance review; liaise with researchers where applications are not valid and ensure that correct documentation is sent; log each protocol on an Excel ledger and research database and prepare computer and paper files for record storage. You’ll then track the review progress through to completion and prepare standard letters and contracts for each application, obtaining authorising signatures as required.

You will be accountable for consolidating and processing Governance records via in-house databases and Excel ledgers. Attention to detail is very important to ensure that accurate records are kept to meet regulatory requirements and to ensure prompt retrieval of records as required. You will also support in the Sponsor’s internal audit program.

You will need to be aware of and maintain awareness of Health Research Authority, UK Research Ethics Committee and the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) application and ongoing study processes in order to understand queries and respond accordingly. Full training will be given where necessary.

You should: 

• Have a vocational qualification (NVQ2 Administration with Secretarial Skills) or equivalent and experience of an office/administrative environment       
• Considerable work experience in a relevant role. 
• Have extensive I.T. knowledge (MS Office, email). 
• Be well organised and able to prioritise conflicting tasks and meet operational deadlines. 
• Possess excellent oral and written communication skills. 
• Have ability to build working relationships within the department, University and external collaborators.
• Have experience of planning own work activities in response to differing needs of the team and deadlines.
• Have knowledge of Good Clinical Practice.
• Be able to work independently.
• Demonstrate accuracy, reliability and willing and adaptable to learn new skills and procedures as required by evolving University procedures and legislation.

This is a part-time (32 hours per week), fixed-term post for 13 months. 

Requests for secondment from internal candidates may be considered on the basis that prior agreement has been sought from both your current line manager and the manager of your substantive post, if you are already undertaking a secondment role.

Informal enquiries may be addressed to Ali Alshukry, email ALI.ALSHUKRY@NOTTINGHAM.AC.UK. Please note that applications sent directly to this email address will not be accepted.