Job overview
This post is part of the CCRC, comprising of six Clinical Research Facilities located in 2 buildings:
· Clinical Investigation Ward (adult day case clinical trials).
· Maternal & Child Health Clinical Research Facility (paediatric & adult clinical trials).
· Interventional Procedures Unit (research endoscopy).
· Early Phase Unit (adult clinical trials).
· Translational Research Facility and observational unit: (inpatient metabolic studies).
· Adult Clinical Research Facility (inpatient trials & studies).
You will provide support to participants in clinical trials such as provision of information to patients/ participants, collecting, processing and shipping samples, performing basic tests and measurements and collecting data in accordance with the clinical trial protocol, and Good Clinical Practice. Training will be provided.
Ensure effective and efficient management and support of clinical research studies conducted across the CCRC.
Be responsible for the maintenance of NIHR research study databases including the design and production of reports as required by Cambridge Clinical Research Facility, specific responsibility for collecting trial outcomes from annual renewal process. Organise and manage administrative aspects of active NIHR research projects.
To lead and be responsible for the study amendments (Modifications) process and all associated tasks.
Lead and be responsible for the study renewals process and all associated tasks including the finance aspect.
Deputise for the Study Information Manager when required.
Provide PA support to the senior team as needed.
Provide ad-hoc reception cover as required.
Independently support all aspects of administration within the administrative team.
Support the development and training of junior staff members in collaboration with senior members of the team.
Main duties of the job
To assist with the identification and recruitment of participants into studies.
Undertake a range of clinical skills, such as, but not limited to, venepuncture, ECG, vital signs, sample collection.
Obtain samples and undertake sample preparation (blood, urine, tissue and faecal samples); to include centrifuging, pipetting, preparation for storage, liaising with hospital and laboratory staff as appropriate
Responsible for organising the logistical aspects of diagnostic specimens, specifically packaging and shipment, handling of dry ice
Receive, track and check, and generate queries on clinical trial data
To set up, maintain and present databases and implement systems that improve volunteer management
Update trials databases including EDGE with details of patients screened and recruited to trials/research. Training will be provided
Provide comprehensive support to trial team including diary management, coordinating and arranging meetings, taking minutes
Act as first telephone contact for enquiries about trials/research and be confident to provide advice to patients/clients/relatives
Book appointments and respond to queries from study participants via e-mails and telephone calls
Deal with enquiries face to face, via telephone and email
Coordinate the distribution of study documents to participants
Help conduct participant visits, completing papers and e-CRF's.
Manage the filing of all clinical trials documentation and carry out any action required on documentation as appropriate (e.g. database/spreadsheet logging, scanning, printing, emailing)
Assist with archiving all essential documents following trial close-down
Support the team in preparing documentation for monitoring visits including liaising with information governance and EPIC teams, arranging suitable meeting rooms and act as a liaison when monitors are on site
To have an understanding that all research must be conducted according to ICH-GCP, the EU Directive on Good Clinical Practice and the Research Governance Guidelines and assist the team in upholding these
Demonstrate a professional approach to work and act as a responsible team member
Information Management & NIHR reporting metrics:
Support the maintenance of The Cambridge Clinical Research Centre, National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) research databases for metrics reporting.
Assist with regular quality control checks on information contained on the CCRC NIHR study databases, acting to resolve data queries and ensure data integrity.
Proactively run data queries and generate reports from databases as required by senior management team including preparing research study output activity statistics for the unit Directors as required
Collate renewal process data into NIHR and metrics databases, liaising with Principal Investigators and study teams to obtain required information
Support the Study Information Manager in compiling data for NIHR quarterly and annual reports, including:
Updating Excel spreadsheets on a daily, monthly, and quarterly basis
Maintaining and updating study information within the CCRC Booking System
Producing reports from the CCRC Booking System as requested by senior management
Management of CCRC Amendments (Modifications):
To be responsible for the management of the CCRC study amendment (modifications) process. This includes: -
Manage shared CCRC Amendments (Modifications) email inbox and respond to queries promptly
Assess and process the CCRC Amendments (Modifications) in line with the Standard Operating Procedure
Liaise with senior clinical team for urgent clinical queries
Maintain excel database for the monthly Scientific Advisory Board Meeting agenda
Management of CCRC Renewals:
To be responsible for the management of the CCRC study annual renewal process. This includes:
Identify studies due for monthly renewal
Send renewal letter to the Principal Investigators and to monitor outstanding issues
Review and collate data from the reply for NIHR annual reporting
Maintain excel database for the monthly Management Committee Meeting agenda
Maintain databases for Management Committee meeting agendas, impact and outcomes, publications, and industry-related spreadsheets.
Prepare closed hard copy study folders for archiving and update shared network drive.
PA duties to the senior team:
Coordinate meetings, book rooms, and manage printing requirements
Prepare ad hoc PowerPoint presentations and other materials as requested by senior team members.
Patient/Participant Recruitment:
Assist with participant recruitment and enquiries, ensuring accurate updates to relevant databases.
General Administrative duties & Reception Cover:
Deputise for administrative team members in their absence as directed by the line manager
Provide reception cover for the CCRC:
Greet all patients/volunteers attending for an appointment in a polite and courteous and efficient manner,
Register, check and update patient details on EPIC
Provide a telephone enquiry service for the reception area, escalating as appropriate
Ensure patient lists are entered into CCRC Booking System as required
Handle enquiries as they occur via email or in- person in a professional manner, liaising with both internal and external stake holders and cascade information as appropriate
Receive deliveries, post and pass on relevant information to staff
Assist with the procurement process using Oracle ordering system
Undertake any other duties as required to support the administration team.
Working for our organisation
Our Trust
Cambridge University Hospitals (CUH) NHS Foundation Trust comprises Addenbrooke’s Hospital and the Rosie Hospital in Cambridge. With over 13,000 staff and over 1100 beds the priorities of the Trust focus on a quality service which is all about people – patients, staff and partners. Recognised as providing ‘outstanding’ care to our patients and rated ‘Good’ overall by the Care Quality Commissioner, is testament to the skill and dedication of the people who work here. CUH’s values – Together - Safe, Kind, Excellent – are at the heart of patient care, defining the way all staff work and behave. The Trust provides accessible high-quality healthcare for the local people of Cambridge, together with specialist services, dealing with rare or complex conditions for a regional, national and international population.
CUH is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive community - a place where we can all be ourselves. We value our differences and fully advocate and support an inclusive working environment where every individual can fulfil their potential. We want to ensure our people are truly representative of all the communities that we serve. We welcome applications for all positions in the organisation irrespective of people’s age, disability, ethnicity, race, nationality, gender identity, sex, sexual orientation, religion or belief, marriage and civil partnership status, or pregnancy and maternity status or social economic background.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Please see the attached Applicant Information Pack (combined Job Description and Person Specification) for key duties and responsibilities.
Due to Home Office immigration rules, a full time permanent vacancy cannot be filled by individuals on a Student visa. Therefore, please be advised that if you are a Student visa holder, we will not be able to offer you a full time permanent contract unless you have:
- applied for a Graduate visa
- or you will have successfully completed your course and have applied for a Graduate visa before the anticipated start date of your employment
- or the Trust has agreed that they will Sponsor you as a Skilled Worker and you will complete your studies within 3 months of the anticipated start date of employment
This vacancy will close at midnight on 12th February 2026
Interviews are due to be held on 20th February 2026
Benefits to you
At Cambridge University Hospitals, we want to do all we can to support good working days. We offer development opportunities and a wide range of benefits, including on-site leisure facilities, shopping concourse and day nurseries. Our good work programme currently includes providing reduced cost Stagecoach bus travel to and from Cambridge University Hospital site. Park and Ride bus journeys between Babraham Road and Trumpington sites are free, as is the route to and from Cambridge train station and our hospitals. We also subsidise the cost of parking on site for eligible staff.
On CUH campus, hot food is available 24/7 and at a reduced cost for colleagues. Recently we launched the first of our staff pod break spaces. Located in the Deakin Centre, we have a purpose-created colleague-only café, with free tea and coffee, a break space and private outside area for colleagues to rest, refuel and recharge. Just one of the ways we are working hard to support good working days at CUH.
CUH is committed to assisting employees in achieving a good work-life balance irrespective of role or personal circumstances. Flexible arrangements may include, but are not limited to, part-time working, job-share, term-time working and flexible start and finish times.
Please note if you would like to discuss the required hours of this role further, you should approach the contact given. In some cases, alternative working hours will be considered.
We welcome applications from the Armed Forces.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
Educated to A level or NVQ level 3 Customer Service/ Business Admin/ITQ or equivalent
NVQ in health-related subject or equivalent
Desirable criteria
Good Clinical Practice Certificate
Venepuncture/Cannulation skills
ECG, Taking Vital Signs
Experience
Essential criteria
Patient facing experience i.e. recruiting research participants/clinical ward
Experience or booking patient appointments
Experience of working in a busy office environment
Previous experience of working with IT packages – Microsoft Office
Previous experience of customer service
Experience in data entry, information management & report writing
Experience working within multidisciplinary teams
Desirable criteria
Experience working in NHS
Experience of working in clinical research trials
Experience in creating PowerPoint presentations
Experience of dealing with demanding situations and confrontations
Knowledge
Essential criteria
Knowledge of the research approval processes and regulatory requirements in a clinical research setting
Knowledge and understanding of NHS and trust information systems
Maintaining confidentiality
Evidence of on-going professional development
Desirable criteria
Knowledge of GDPR
Oracle procurement system
Knowledge of databases such as EDGE, CPMS & other local management systems
Knowledge of processing endoscopy scopes
Skills
Essential criteria
Excellent proven verbal & written communication skills
Ability to adapt communication style to suit different audiences
Ability to speak clearly, confidently, and professionally
Able to utilise positive body language to maintain a welcoming demeanour.
Good organisational skills, ability to multitask & prioritise own workload
Ability to work under pressure & independently to meet tight deadlines
Able to communicate complex information clearly, orally and in writing to a range of people including senior researchers and managers
Ability to adapt to change under pressure
Desirable criteria
Flexible approach to meet service demands
Computer literate familiar with EPIC system
Familiar with equipment being used within the trust i.e Dynamap, ECG
Use of centrifuges to process samples
Additional Requirements
Essential criteria
The ability to understand and behave at all times, towards patients, visitors and colleagues according to the Trust values of Safe, Kind, Excellent.
Employer certification / accreditation badges
Applicant requirements
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Documents to download
Apply online now
Further details / informal visits contact
Name
Karen Soons
Job title
Operations & Business Manager
Email address
karen.soons@nhs.net