Research Coordinator

Job overview

• Are you interested in a career in research administration?
• Would you like to be part of a dynamic team delivering high-impact research in Primary Care and other wider care settings?
• Are you a highly motivated team player with excellent organisational skills?
• Do you have a keen eye for detail and enjoy working with data?
• You might just be the person we need for the role of Research Coordinator.
• If you are a graduate with relevant experience in Primary Care, general practice or other NHS and non-NHS settings (e.g. care homes, hospices) and would enjoy an outward-facing role, working with clinicians, academics, researchers and community groups, we'd love to hear from you.

The main focus of the role will be in supporting the set-up and delivery of the NIHR portfolio of research studies. The role is designed to increase research participation by NHS and non-NHS settings, including community services, social care and the voluntary sector. We are also keen to see studies achieve greater recruitment from currently underserved groups.

Main duties of the job

The postholder will work on all aspects of study set-up and delivery, including: feasibility, confirming capacity & capability of sites and participant recruitment, through to payment of research-related costs. We are seeking a  highly motivated and organised individual who works well under pressure and has strong interpersonal and communication skills, combining sensitivity and empathy.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Please note: This vacancy does not meet the criteria for Skilled Worker sponsorship, unless you meet the criteria by temporary exemption from current changes to immigration rules put in force on 22/07/2025. “Separate provisions are applied to workers who have been sponsored and continuously held a Skilled Worker visa since prior to 04/04/2024."

As such, if you don’t meet the Transitional Provision (above) we are unable to consider your application unless you can provide documentary evidence of your right to work in the United Kingdom. If you believe you are eligible for sponsorship or already hold a valid right to work in the UK, please ensure you provide full details of your immigration status in the Pre-Screening Immigration section of your application form.

Please note role eligibility also depends on whether the role meets the salary threshold for the relevant occupational code (SOC CODE).

For further info please visit: Skilled Worker visa: Overview - GOV.UK

You should be able to demonstrate effective communication skills, good organisational skills, flexibility, excellent attention to detail, the ability to work autonomously and some knowledge of medical terminology. Experience of working in a research setting or in Primary Care is desirable.

The main focus of the role will be in supporting the delivery and development of the NIHR research portfolio. The role is designed to increase research participation from NHS primary care and non-NHS settings, including community services, social care, voluntary sector, and care homes.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

• Will act as the first point of contact for all telephone, email and personal enquiries from researchers and other stakeholders relating to community and primary care research engagement and study set-up and will ensure that all enquiries are dealt with effectively and in a timely manner, escalating any complex enquiries to the Research Coordination Manager or appropriate senior member of staff.
• Will use excellent communication skills on a daily basis to speak to a wide range of individuals and organisations including departmental colleagues, higher educational institutions, community organisations, practice managers, GPs and other practice clinicians, patients and local Research Delivery Network (RDN) contacts.
• Will monitor and act upon requests from care home managers, hospice managers, general practices and other non-NHS community services to participate in research studies, making sure that all emails are dealt with in a timely and efficient manner.
• Will provide administrative support to researchers and other members of the team.
• Will have sound knowledge of the NIHR and Research Delivery Networks and will remain familiar with the evolving landscape of research management within the NHS.
• Will be required to adhere to a strict code of confidentiality, ICH Good Clinical Practice and Trust R&D and information governance policies.
• Will have excellent organisational and time management skills enabling the post holder to manage competing priorities within required timescales.

• Will have the ability to work independently, on own initiative and at times with minimal supervision. They must be able to exercise judgement where necessary when responding to queries, delegating or escalating as appropriate.
• Will identify own learning needs and take responsibility for keeping their skills and knowledge up to date by attending training courses as appropriate.