Research Officer

Job overview

Job title: Research Governance Officer

Department: Research and Innovation

Band : 5   £32,073 - £39,043 per annum pro rata if part-time

Hours: 37.5 per week FTC until 31/03/2027, all MKUH roles will be considered for flexible working

For an informal discussion, please contact Felicity or Courtney – [email protected], [email protected]

Interview Date 9July 2026

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

Main duties of the job

'They feel supported in their employers making reasonable adjustments to help them carry out their work, rating an 82.9%'''NHS Survey, 2024''

'We care We communicate We collaborate We contribute'

This  exciting opportunity is for an individual with a degree-level qualification in life sciences or healthcare who has some knowledge and experience of clinical trials to join the team at Milton Keynes University Hospital Research and Innovation Department. We are  recruiting  a Research Governance Officer to support our Research Governance Coordinators. You will work  with clinical teams and support departments to assess the feasibility of new research studies. It involves facilitating the dissemination, review and support for studies alongside ensuring adherence to research regulations and governance requirements. You will  contribute to capacity, capability assessments and support the review and approval of research contracts. You will be a proactive, values-driven individual who is highly organised able to prioritise tasks independently and confident using digital tools such as Excel, Word, Teamsxand Outlook. Excellent communication skills are essential to build strong relationships with clinical teams and external partners, contribute to research meetings and support team motivation. A good working knowledge of clinical trial regulations including GCP and the HRA approval process is required.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

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.

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

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

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

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.

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.

Please refer to the attached job description for further information