Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust

Research Assistant

The closing date is 07 September 2025

Job summary

This is an exciting opportunity to join the dynamic Cross divisional team at the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust. The post holder will be joining a friendly, motivated and positive research team.

This role typically involves providing support to the Cross Divisional Research Team in their day-to-day activities to achieve their goals. The position is multifaceted, requiring a combination of skills, organisational abilities, and administrative tasks to support the research team in all aspects of the trials/studies on a day to day basis,

Main duties of the job

The main focus of the post is to support the research team in all aspects of the trials/studies on a day to day basis, including screening, assessments, follow-up and data collection to achieve departmental and organisational goals.

A key part of the role will be to manage administrative duties such as scheduling meetings, handling correspondence, maintaining records, and organising research-related events and maintenance of finance records.

About us

We are a friendly proactive team that supports and grows its team members. Based in one of the largest general hospital foundation trusts, our research portfolio is consistently recognised for its breadth, size and quality.

Details

Date posted

01 September 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£24,937 to £26,598 a year per annum

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

12 months

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

193-7385435COR

Job locations

Royal Berkshire Hospital

London Road

Reading

RG1 5AN


Job description

Job responsibilities

You will work closely with the research nurses within the team and wider clinical team to develop an effective research culture.

The post holder will fulfil the role of research assistant responsible for supporting cross divisional research projects on a day to day basis (involving practical and administrative tasks).

The post holder will be accountable for all aspects of the research process under direct supervision. The responsibilities will include data collection, data management, participant recruitment and organisational duties.

The post holder will work within the guidelines of Good Clinical Practice & Research Governance and local Trust policies.

You will need to demonstrate a willingness to work across organisations and within a multidisciplinary research environment.

Informal visits are welcomed and encouraged.

Job description

Job responsibilities

You will work closely with the research nurses within the team and wider clinical team to develop an effective research culture.

The post holder will fulfil the role of research assistant responsible for supporting cross divisional research projects on a day to day basis (involving practical and administrative tasks).

The post holder will be accountable for all aspects of the research process under direct supervision. The responsibilities will include data collection, data management, participant recruitment and organisational duties.

The post holder will work within the guidelines of Good Clinical Practice & Research Governance and local Trust policies.

You will need to demonstrate a willingness to work across organisations and within a multidisciplinary research environment.

Informal visits are welcomed and encouraged.

Person Specification

Education, Qualifications, Experience & Training

Essential

  • Educated to GCSE level or equivalent with passes at grade C or above.
  • NVQ Level 3 or equivalent knowledge and skills gained through any combination of alternative study, employment or voluntary work (2) Willing to undertake further education.
  • Previous experience of working in a healthcare setting
  • Proven experience of working within a team.

Desirable

  • RSA Typing Level 2 - 3
  • Educated to Degree level
  • Good Clinical Practice and EU Directive Training
  • Previous experience of administration or clerical work.
  • Working knowledge of NHS information systems.
  • Experience of clinical audit

Skills, Knowledge & Abilities

Essential

  • Excellent organisation skills
  • Proven ability to prioritise and manage own workload
  • Excellent communication skills - both written and verbal, including courteous telephone manner.
  • Proven ability to work on own initiative.
  • Able to work flexibly to meet service needs
  • Clear understanding of confidentiality issues - knowledge of Caldicott and GDPR / Data Protection Act requirement
  • Attention to details

Desirable

  • Knowledge of NHS administrative systems.
  • Awareness of Clinical and Research Governance.

Personality and Personal Attributes

Essential

  • Excellent timekeeping and a flexible approach to work. Able to participate with a rotating shift pattern
  • Ability to produce timely accurate and useful information tailored to needs of patients
  • Ability to work across Trust and Network sites as required to deliver the demands of the service.
Person Specification

Education, Qualifications, Experience & Training

Essential

  • Educated to GCSE level or equivalent with passes at grade C or above.
  • NVQ Level 3 or equivalent knowledge and skills gained through any combination of alternative study, employment or voluntary work (2) Willing to undertake further education.
  • Previous experience of working in a healthcare setting
  • Proven experience of working within a team.

Desirable

  • RSA Typing Level 2 - 3
  • Educated to Degree level
  • Good Clinical Practice and EU Directive Training
  • Previous experience of administration or clerical work.
  • Working knowledge of NHS information systems.
  • Experience of clinical audit

Skills, Knowledge & Abilities

Essential

  • Excellent organisation skills
  • Proven ability to prioritise and manage own workload
  • Excellent communication skills - both written and verbal, including courteous telephone manner.
  • Proven ability to work on own initiative.
  • Able to work flexibly to meet service needs
  • Clear understanding of confidentiality issues - knowledge of Caldicott and GDPR / Data Protection Act requirement
  • Attention to details

Desirable

  • Knowledge of NHS administrative systems.
  • Awareness of Clinical and Research Governance.

Personality and Personal Attributes

Essential

  • Excellent timekeeping and a flexible approach to work. Able to participate with a rotating shift pattern
  • Ability to produce timely accurate and useful information tailored to needs of patients
  • Ability to work across Trust and Network sites as required to deliver the demands of the service.

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

Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Royal Berkshire Hospital

London Road

Reading

RG1 5AN


Employer's website

https://www.royalberkshire.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer details

Employer name

Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Royal Berkshire Hospital

London Road

Reading

RG1 5AN


Employer's website

https://www.royalberkshire.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Research Sister

Maya Joseph

Mayamol.Joseph@royalberkshire.nhs.uk

01183226536

Details

Date posted

01 September 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£24,937 to £26,598 a year per annum

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

12 months

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

193-7385435COR

Job locations

Royal Berkshire Hospital

London Road

Reading

RG1 5AN


Supporting documents

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