Research officer

Research Officer

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 considered for flexible working

Closing date: 01 July 2026

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.

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, Teams and 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.

About us

Milton Keynes University Hospital, in proud partnership with the University of Buckingham, is a University Teaching Hospital committed to advancing patient care through cutting-edge research and education. With a "Good" rating from the CQC and significant investment underway, this is an exciting time to join our team and grow your career.

As a medium sized general hospital, we provide a full range of general medical and surgical services, including a busy Emergency Department, Maternity, and Paediatrics. As the population of our city and surrounding areas continues to grow rapidly, we are expanding and enhancing our facilities to meet rising demand and improve access to care for all our communities.

We are also proud to offer a growing portfolio of specialist services. In January 2025 we opened our state-of-the-art Radiotherapy Centre, bringing advanced cancer treatment closer to home. Our services also include neonatology, specialist surgical care, and a wide range of diagnostics, supported by the new Community Diagnostic Centre at Whitehouse Health Centre.

Further investment is underway, including the construction of Oak Wards - a new ward block featuring two 24-bed wards - and the recently approved Women and Children's Centre, set to open by 2030.

Job responsibilities

The post holder will work within the Research and Development (R&D) Team at Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, 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 support 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.

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.
• 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.

Person Specification

Qualifications and knowledge

• Degree Level Qualification
• Life sciences or health care qualification
• Knowledge of or undertaken Good Clinical Practice Training
• Knowledge of clinical trials and research regulations
• Research Education/Training

Experience

• Experience of working within an office environment
• Experience in working with databases
• Experience working within the NHS
• Experience of working within a research environment
• Experience with coordinating meetings

Skills

• Proficient in using Microsoft software particularly Excel
• Ability to make decisions, organise and prioritise
• Able to work with minimal supervision
• Able to work individually or as a team player
• Demonstrates an ability for attention to detail
• Ability to demonstrate initiative and proactive work ethics
• Able to organise work to meet deadlines and priorities
• Up-to-date knowledge relevant to clinical research and good clinical practice

Personal and people development

• Demonstrable commitment to personal and professional development
• Willingness to undertake any necessary training and development to enhance work performance
• Flexible and positive approach to work

Communication

• Good communication and interpersonal skills, enthusiasm and a willingness to work closely and co-operatively with others
• Approachable and able to communicate with professionals across the clinical team

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Employer name

Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust