Research Administrator

Job overview

The Research Administrator will provide essential administrative and data support to the Community Research Team, contributing to the delivery of NIHR Portfolio studies across community health and care settings. Working under the guidance of the Community Research Manager and senior research staff, the post holder will support Research Nurses, Clinical Research Practitioners (CRPs), AHPs and Research Facilitators with study set‑up activities and the maintenance of accurate local study documentation.

The role includes supporting communication with patients, participants, carers and stakeholders, helping to promote research activity within the organisation and wider care community, and ensuring records and systems are kept up to date. The post holder will work within established policies, protocols and procedures, using good organisational and interpersonal skills to support effective team working.

The post is funded by the East of England Regional Research Delivery Network (EoE RRDN), part of the NIHR Clinical Research Network.

Main duties of the job

The Research Administrator will provide administrative and clerical support to the Community Research Team, contributing to the delivery of NIHR Portfolio studies across community health and care settings. Working under the guidance of senior research staff, the post holder will support study set‑up and delivery by organising meetings, maintaining study documentation and site files, managing diaries and shared mailboxes, and inputting data onto research IT systems such as EDGE  following training.

The role includes supporting  monitoring visits, maintaining staff training records, assisting with research engagement activities, and communicating professionally with colleagues, stakeholders, patients and members of the public. The post holder will work within agreed procedures, maintaining confidentiality and data protection at all times, and will support a positive research culture within the organisation.

Travel across sites within the East of England may be required.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

1. Administrative Support

• Provide a range of administrative and clerical support to the Community Research Team.
• Support the organisation of meetings including room bookings, agendas and documentation. Attend meetings and take accurate notes or minutes.
• Manage diaries for senior staff as required.
• Carry out general office duties including photocopying, scanning, filing, emailing and distribution of documents.
• Monitor shared research inboxes, responding to routine enquiries or escalating to appropriate staff.

2. Research Study Set‑Up and Documentation

• Support study start‑up activities by collating required documentation (e.g. CVs, GCP certificates) and preparing site files under guidance.
• Assist with the maintenance of site files, ensuring documentation is accurate, up to date and inspection ready.
• Support the updating and archiving of research documentation in line with local policies and procedures.
• Assist in preparing documentation for audits, monitoring visits and inspections.

3. Governance, Data and Systems

• Support the research team in maintaining accurate records in research IT systems (e.g. EDGE, REDCap) following training.
• Input and maintain data on local and regional portfolio management systems under supervision.
• Run routine reports as required and upload documents with guidance from senior staff.
• Maintain staff training logs (e.g. GCP) and prompt staff regarding required updates.

4. Communication and Confidentiality

• Communicate professionally with colleagues, stakeholders, patients and members of the public, using tact and discretion.
• Handle sensitive and confidential information in line with Trust policy, GDPR and research governance requirements.
• Ensure messages are accurately recorded and passed to the appropriate person in a timely manner.

5. Research Culture and Engagement

• Support the promotion of research activity and a positive research culture within the organisation and wider community.
• Support upkeep of research information on intranet and internet pages, as required.

6. Operational Support

• Support Research Nurses, CRPs and AHPs with non‑clinical aspects of study delivery, in line with training and competencies.
• Assist with preparation of study documentation for monitoring visits.
• Support the tracking of recruitment activity for entry into local research management systems.
• Escalate any concerns, incidents or issues appropriately in line with Trust policy.

7. General Responsibilities

• Use office equipment and supplies efficiently, reporting faults and monitoring stock levels as required.
• Report health and safety or facilities issues to the line manager/site manager.
• Attend relevant meetings and training, which may involve travel across the East of England.
• Actively participate in team working, service improvement and ongoing personal development.
• Work flexibly in a changing environment and undertake other duties appropriate to the role and band as required.