Research Governance Officer

Job overview

Research Governance Officer Fixed Term Contract

Department Research and Development

Band 5  £29,970 - £36,483 Per annum, pro rata

Hours: 37.5 per week, all MKUH roles will be considered for flexible working

This is an exciting opportunity for an individual with a degree-level qualification in life sciences or healthcare, who has some knowledge and experience of clinical trials.

We are looking to recruit a Research Governance Officer to support our Research Governance Coordinators. The successful candidate will work closely with clinical teams and support departments to assess the feasibility of new research studies. The role involves facilitating the dissemination, review, and support for studies, alongside ensuring adherence to research regulations and governance requirements. You will also contribute to capacity and capability assessments and support the review and approval of research contracts.

We are seeking a proactive, values-driven individual who is highly organised, able to prioritise tasks independently, and confident using digital tools such as Excel, Word, Teams, and Outlook.

If you're passionate about improving research delivery and supporting collaborative, patient-focused work, we’d love to hear from you!

For an informal discussion, please contact the Research Governance Coordinator Soma Hajdu – 01908 996744

Please note that we are not able to offer sponsorship for this role.

Interviews held on 9th July 2025

Main duties of the job

'We care We communicate We collaborate We contribute'

A good working knowledge of clinical trial regulations, including GCP and the HRA approval process, is required.

The post holder will work within the Research and Development (R&D) Team at Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust (MKUH), with the primary aim of supporting the Research Coordinators with assessing governance and adherence to regulations for all trials hosted within the Trust. The post holder will work closely with clinical teams and support departments to assess the feasibility of new research studies. They will work in collaboration with the  East of England Regional Research Delivery Network. The purpose of the post is to undertake research governance activities, support capacity and capability assessments, review study feasibility and supporting the review and approval of research contracts.

The post holder will be expected to work autonomously and to have effective communication skills to liaise with relevant clinical teams and external parties. The ability to enthuse, motivate and involve clinicians and support departments is essential as well as a high level of IT proficiency. In addition, the post holder must be proficient at multitasking, with the ability to concentrate for prolonged periods of time. It is expected that the post holder will be proactive in their approach to the role and provide support to the wider clinical team when required.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Contracts will be issued by MKUH NHS Foundation Trust on behalf of the EoE RRDN.

Clinical and Research

• Plan and coordinate daily activities in collaboration with the research team.  •    Review research protocols with the research clinical team to assess feasibility for trials, considering recruitment targets, capacity, timelines, competing trials, and other implications for the trust.

Administrative and Clinical Data

• Creating and maintaining spreadsheets on Excel to aid personnel within the research department, as well as our support departments involved in research. •    Assisting the Research Nurses with collating data reported to the National Institute of Health Research (NIHR), ensuring timely and accurate updating of the recruitment accruals.

Financial

• Assisting with building payment schedules for research studies. •    Assisting the finance team in investigating queries relating to research. payments.

Education

• Promote research across the network in relation to clinical trials.  •    Assist in the education and support of clinicians and service users on trial-specific training and NIHR training.

Management

• Self-manage workload, seeking managerial supervision if required.  Maintain a time schedule and ensure that all timelines are adhered to.  •    Be aware of all Trust procedures and policies and collaborate with other healthcare professionals to ensure these are observed. Participate in the Development of Trust procedures and policies as required.

Communication

• Maintain a dialogue of progress with the Research Coordinator Team and your line manager to resolve any research governance queries. •    Liaise with the relevant support services such as the clinical trials pharmacist, concerning the set-up and recruitment of trials.

We believe success lies in the diversity of our employees and are committed to promoting equality, encouraging diversity and embracing inclusion. We welcome applications from everyone interested in working for us.

MKUH is committed to equal opportunities and improving the working lives of our staff and as such we offer a range of flexible working practices.

We reserve the right to expire vacancies prior to the advertised closing date once a sufficient number of applications have been received.

MKUH uses identification scanning technology to confirm the authenticity of documents; all prospective employees of MKUH will have their original documents verified using this technology.

By applying for this role, you accept if successful, that information from your application will be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Record (ESR) system.  Your personal data may be transferred from the Trust to another NHS organisation where your employment transfers within the NHS.   This is in accordance with the streamlining programme which aims at saving you time and improving efficiencies within the NHS when your employment transfers.

Upon commencing  employment  with  the  Trust,  all  employees  (except Medical & Dental Staff on national terms and conditions) are  subject  to  a probationary period lasting  a  period  of  six  months  with  an  option  to extend  for  a  further  six  months  to  a total of  12 months.