Research and Innovation Coordinator

We have an exciting opportunity within the Research and Innovation (R&I) Office at The Christie NHS Foundation Trust for a Research and Innovation Coordinator (Band 6). This post is offered as a permanent contract at 37.5h/week.We are looking for an enthusiastic and motivated individual to support oncology research undertaken within The Christie Hospital NHS Foundation Trust. The prime purpose of the role is to support the performance of the R&I Office in setting up and managing hosted clinical trials against national NIHR high level objectives and regional and local performance metrics whilst ensuring compliance with regulatory and research governance requirements. The role also involves line management responsibilities for the R&I Administrators.This post is an integral part of the R&I Division's core function which exists to provide an efficient support service for the research delivery teams as well as other internal and external stakeholders, enabling the Trust to deliver its research ambitions.Applicants should be qualified to at least post graduate diploma level, or have an equivalent level of experience and, as a minimum, must meet the essential criteria listed in the person specification of the job description.The role is ideal for individuals who are keen to take the next steps in their career in clinical trials administration.Main duties of the jobWorking closely with colleagues across the R&I division, the role offers a wide variety of duties and responsibilities, including but not limited to, supporting the processes and management of research projects, particularly study set-up and amendments, processing of research related agreements, research passports and general administrative support. The post holder will also be involved in quality improvement projects within the team and wider division. The role requires a good working knowledge of GCP and research governance requirements.The ideal candidate will demonstrate strong communication and organisational skills and the ability to work well both in a team and using their own initiative.The Christie is one of Europe's leading cancer centres, treating over 60,000 patients a year. We are based in Manchester and serve a population of 3.2 million across Greater Manchester & Cheshire, but as a national specialist around 15% patients are referred to us from other parts of the country. We provide radiotherapy through one of the largest radiotherapy departments in the world; chemotherapy on site and through 14 other hospitals; highly specialist surgery for complex and rare cancer; and a wide range of support and diagnostic services. We are also an international leader in research, with world first breakthroughs for over 100 years. We run one of the largest early clinical trial units in Europe with over 300 trials every year.About usThe Christie is one of Europe's leading cancer centres, treating over 60,000 patients a year. We are based in Manchester and serve a population of 3.2 million across Greater Manchester & Cheshire, but as a national specialist around 15% patients are referred to us from other parts of the country. We provide radiotherapy through one of the largest radiotherapy departments in the world; chemotherapy on site and through 14 other hospitals; highly specialist surgery for complex and rare cancer; and a wide range of support and diagnostic services. We are also an international leader in research, with world first breakthroughs for over 100 years. We run one of the largest early clinical trial units in Europe with over 300 trials every year. Cancer research in Manchester, most of which is undertaken on the Christie site, has been officially ranked the best in the UK.Job responsibilitiesDUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES1. Daily Project Management1.1. Manage research projects from initial registration to final local approval. Responsible for registration and management of projects so that approval can be given once the regulatory and governance requirements are met. Research projects must be managed in accordance with the HRA (Health Research Authority) protocol review and approval process and all relevant Trust procedures.1.2. Responsible for supporting the Clinical Trials Resource Group by liaising with service departments to ensure that project actions are progressed to conclusion.1.3. Review all research project information held on Trust systems and update information as required.1.4. Plan and organise a broad range of complex activities relating to project approvals and amendments. Requires the formulation and adjustment of strategies as defined by the workload.1.5. Maintain close communication with researchers so that they are aware of the status of their project.2. R&I Systems and Processes2.1. Responsible for the collation of project information so that projects can be registered on the appropriate R&I Office systems. This may involve external liaison with external authorities which review and approve research, funding organisations and research sponsors including academic institutions and other NHS Trusts.2.2. Ensure that the information for the research projects meets the current standards for R&I project datasets.2.3. Design queries and ensure completion of data input to R&I systems to run reports as requested by R&I Division management.2.4. Co-ordinate information from external organisations so that research project information can be validated.2.5. Ensure that the Trust has documentary evidence that projects comply with relevant regulatory requirements. Such documents will vary depending on the project but may include MHRA authorisation, ethics approval etc.2.6. Review projects to ensure that they have received HRA approval and local and national permissions.3. Meetings3.1. Attend R&I divisional meetings and meetings with external organisations as required.3.2. Where appropriate organise research meetings, ensuring appropriate accommodation, attendance and distribution of an agenda and supporting papers.3.3. Take and distribute complete and accurate minutes or arrange for this to be done by an appropriate member of the meeting.4. Support for Applications to FundingWhere required, assist researchers in the completion of documentation to support funding applications.5. Performance in the Role5.1 Ensure all projects are approved within applicable R&I project approval timelines.5.2 Identify areas within the project approval process for improvement, and implement appropriately.5.3 Work with significant discretion but also within defined parameters where appropriate. Be guided in the application of research principles by following relevant policies, good practice or legislation. Actively seek guidance from colleagues who have relevant and sufficient expertise in research governance or the application of legal principles in research.5.4 Take responsibility for interpreting policy changes and implementing them where appropriate.5.5 Exercise sound judgement in identifying and assessing complicated events or problems and understanding the implications of these for the project approval/amendment process.5.6 Be prepared to perform other appropriate duties as requested.6. People Management (where required)6.1 Undertake day-to-day management and regular performance review of the (senior) R&I Administrator.6.2 Take appropriate steps to develop, and provide or approve relevant training for the R&I Administrator.Person SpecificationQualificationsPost graduate diploma level or equivalent experienceIdeally science postgraduate diplomaExperience of working within a health care system.ECDL or equivalentExperiencePrevious experience of working within a busy research office environmentPrevious experience of working within clinical researchIn depth and practical knowledge of the study approval process (including amendments)SkillsOrganisational skillsInterpersonal skills and written and oral communication skillsAbility to use Microsoft packages in an advanced manner (particularly Microsoft Access)KnowledgeKnowledge of research and research management processes Ability to use spreadsheets and databasesGood working knowledge of medical terminology and patient information systems.Prior training on Caldicott Guidelines and Data Protection.Knowledge of research governance principlesValuesAbility to demonstrate the organisational values and behavioursOtherAbility to work with minimal supervisionSelf motivated and confidentAbility to work to tight and/or unexpected deadlinesEnthusiastic team playerEvidence of achievement under pressureAbility to troubleshoot effectivelyFlexibility of working hoursDisclosure and Barring Service CheckThis 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.£38,682 to £46,580 a year per annum pro rata #J-18808-Ljbffr