Rainbows Hospice for Children and Young People

Research Support Assistant

The closing date is 21 April 2026

Job summary

Rainbows Hospice is currently seeking a Research Support Officer.

This role will help to deliver safe, ethical and well-managed research by providing expert study, governance, administrative and events support within a values driven organisation.

Main duties of the job

Some of the key responsibilities include (but not limited to):

Study Support and Governance Administration

General Administration

Finance Administration

Events Management

About us

Here at Rainbows Childrens Hospice, we provide specialist palliative care and end-of-life support to over 750 Babies, Children, and Young People living with life-limiting conditions and terminal illnesses as well as approximately 3,000 people, including families, siblings, and carers, across the East Midlands. Simply put, were here to brighten short lives and support families, wherever they are.

Details

Date posted

08 April 2026

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£11,333 a year FTE £24,785

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

11 months

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

TA15

Job locations

Rainbows Hospice

Lark Rise

Loughborough

Leicestershire

LE11 2HS


Job description

Job responsibilities

About the role

Some of the key responsibilities include (but not limited to):

  • Study Support and Governance Administration
    • Assist development and implementation of research policies and SOPs to demonstrate compliance under local frameworks for research governance.
    • Develop and maintain a good understanding of Good Clinical Practice (GCP) and the associated requirements necessary to assure compliance within the team and the organisation.
    • Set up and maintain study site files to the standards required by GCP.
    • Ensure that all studies at the end of their lifecycle are archived appropriately, undertaking relevant processes and maintaining effective and accurate records.
  • General Administration
    • Act as a first point of contact, both internally and externally, for advice on research matters signposting as appropriate.
    • Being the first point of contact for the research team, dealing with all enquiries and queries in an efficient and timely manner.
  • Finance Administration
    • Assist with costings and work on research grant applications
    • Work with Rainbows finance department and research manager to ensure accurate accounts and budgeting
  • Events Management
    • Support the research team in the development and delivery of research events
    • Responsible for the coordination and set up of research project workshops and meetings including sourcing possible venues and resource and arranging transport / refreshments etc.

Requirements

  • Good level of standard education good standard of numeracy and literacy
  • Good organisational and problem management skills.
  • Experience of working in a busy administration environment.
  • A minimum of 2 years experience working in administration in a healthcare setting or commercially relevant environment.
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
  • IT skills, competent in using Microsoft office.
  • Working with databases and using reporting tools.
  • Experience of note taking and action logging at meetings.

Further requirements can be found by downloading the Person Specification.

For further information about this role and the responsibilities please contact Wendy Gamble, Research Manager on Wendy.Gamble@Rainbows.co.uk

Our Benefits include:

In addition to Agenda for Change pay scales, we offer a range of benefits including:

  • Free onsite parking when at the Hospice, Lark Rise, Loughborough.
  • Opportunity for current NHS pension scheme members to transfer their membership.
  • Eligibility to join blue light card discount scheme and Company Shop.
  • Healthcare Cashback plan.
  • Life Assurance.
  • 27 days holiday plus bank holidays pro rata
  • Contributory pension scheme
  • Affordable meals at the Hospice, Lark Rise, Loughborough.
  • Free Tea, Coffee and Fruit whilst at the Hospice
  • Free access to an employee assistance programme
  • Wellbeing support and access to Mental Health First Aiders
  • Unofficial benefits: fun events, all staff away days, guest visitors

To apply for the role please click apply now to complete an online application form. If you require an alternative method of applying or would like to discuss reasonable adjustments further, please contact the Recruitment Team at recruitment@rainbows.co.uk

This role is subject to a Standard DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check and comprehensive pre-employment screening, including employment referencing covering the past five years.

Please note: We reserve the right to close this advert early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications. We encourage candidates to apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

Job description

Job responsibilities

About the role

Some of the key responsibilities include (but not limited to):

  • Study Support and Governance Administration
    • Assist development and implementation of research policies and SOPs to demonstrate compliance under local frameworks for research governance.
    • Develop and maintain a good understanding of Good Clinical Practice (GCP) and the associated requirements necessary to assure compliance within the team and the organisation.
    • Set up and maintain study site files to the standards required by GCP.
    • Ensure that all studies at the end of their lifecycle are archived appropriately, undertaking relevant processes and maintaining effective and accurate records.
  • General Administration
    • Act as a first point of contact, both internally and externally, for advice on research matters signposting as appropriate.
    • Being the first point of contact for the research team, dealing with all enquiries and queries in an efficient and timely manner.
  • Finance Administration
    • Assist with costings and work on research grant applications
    • Work with Rainbows finance department and research manager to ensure accurate accounts and budgeting
  • Events Management
    • Support the research team in the development and delivery of research events
    • Responsible for the coordination and set up of research project workshops and meetings including sourcing possible venues and resource and arranging transport / refreshments etc.

Requirements

  • Good level of standard education good standard of numeracy and literacy
  • Good organisational and problem management skills.
  • Experience of working in a busy administration environment.
  • A minimum of 2 years experience working in administration in a healthcare setting or commercially relevant environment.
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
  • IT skills, competent in using Microsoft office.
  • Working with databases and using reporting tools.
  • Experience of note taking and action logging at meetings.

Further requirements can be found by downloading the Person Specification.

For further information about this role and the responsibilities please contact Wendy Gamble, Research Manager on Wendy.Gamble@Rainbows.co.uk

Our Benefits include:

In addition to Agenda for Change pay scales, we offer a range of benefits including:

  • Free onsite parking when at the Hospice, Lark Rise, Loughborough.
  • Opportunity for current NHS pension scheme members to transfer their membership.
  • Eligibility to join blue light card discount scheme and Company Shop.
  • Healthcare Cashback plan.
  • Life Assurance.
  • 27 days holiday plus bank holidays pro rata
  • Contributory pension scheme
  • Affordable meals at the Hospice, Lark Rise, Loughborough.
  • Free Tea, Coffee and Fruit whilst at the Hospice
  • Free access to an employee assistance programme
  • Wellbeing support and access to Mental Health First Aiders
  • Unofficial benefits: fun events, all staff away days, guest visitors

To apply for the role please click apply now to complete an online application form. If you require an alternative method of applying or would like to discuss reasonable adjustments further, please contact the Recruitment Team at recruitment@rainbows.co.uk

This role is subject to a Standard DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check and comprehensive pre-employment screening, including employment referencing covering the past five years.

Please note: We reserve the right to close this advert early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications. We encourage candidates to apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

Person Specification

Research Support Assistant

Essential

  • Good level of standard education good standard of numeracy and literacy
  • Good organisational and problem management skills.
  • Experience of working in a busy administration environment.
  • A minimum of 2 years' experience working in administration in a healthcare setting or commercially relevant environment.
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
  • IT skills, competent in using Microsoft office.
  • Working with databases and using reporting tools.
  • Experience of note taking and action logging at meetings.
Person Specification

Research Support Assistant

Essential

  • Good level of standard education good standard of numeracy and literacy
  • Good organisational and problem management skills.
  • Experience of working in a busy administration environment.
  • A minimum of 2 years' experience working in administration in a healthcare setting or commercially relevant environment.
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
  • IT skills, competent in using Microsoft office.
  • Working with databases and using reporting tools.
  • Experience of note taking and action logging at meetings.

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 details

Employer name

Rainbows Hospice for Children and Young People

Address

Rainbows Hospice

Lark Rise

Loughborough

Leicestershire

LE11 2HS


Employer's website

https://www.rainbows.co.uk (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Rainbows Hospice for Children and Young People

Address

Rainbows Hospice

Lark Rise

Loughborough

Leicestershire

LE11 2HS


Employer's website

https://www.rainbows.co.uk (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Recruitment Officer

Jo Cashin

joanna.cashin@rainbows.co.uk

01509278895

Details

Date posted

08 April 2026

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£11,333 a year FTE £24,785

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

11 months

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

TA15

Job locations

Rainbows Hospice

Lark Rise

Loughborough

Leicestershire

LE11 2HS


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

Rainbows Hospice for Children and Young People's privacy notice (opens in a new tab)