Job summary
St George's, Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals and Health Group (GESH) is recruiting a Research Facilitator to support the delivery of high-quality clinical research across the organisation.
Based within the Group Corporate Research & Innovation (R&I) Department and reporting to the Senior Research Facilitator, the postholder will manage a portfolio of NHS-led and externally sponsored studies. The role supports researchers through feasibility, regulatory and governance approvals, study set-up and delivery, ensuring compliance with ethical, legal and organisational requirements.
You will provide expert advice on research governance processes, including HRA, REC, MHRA and IRAS, and work closely with investigators, clinical teams, sponsors and support services to ensure timely study initiation and delivery against performance targets.
If you thrive in a fast-paced environment, have a strong grasp of research governance and legal frameworks, and are passionate about supporting innovation across the NHS, we'd love to hear from you.
The role contributes to maintaining robust research governance systems, performance monitoring and the growth of the Group's research portfolio. This opportunity is suited to candidates with experience in an NHS, university or clinical research environment, strong organisational and communication skills, and a sound understanding of research governance.
Main duties of the job
- Manage a portfolio of NHS-led and externally sponsored clinical research studies, supporting delivery across the full study lifecycle in line with regulatory, ethical and governance requirements.
- Provide specialist advice to investigators and research teams on research governance and regulatory approvals, including HRA, REC, MHRA and IRAS processes.
- Coordinate study feasibility assessments, ensuring recruitment targets, resource requirements and delivery timelines are realistic and achievable.
- Lead on sponsor governance review for GESH-initiated studies, ensuring high standards of quality, compliance and risk management are maintained throughout the study lifecycle.
- Act as a key point of contact for designated clinical specialities, working autonomously to resolve issues and support timely study set-up and delivery.
- Liaise with internal support services and external stakeholders, including sponsors and academic partners, to facilitate contracts, costings and approvals.
- Monitor study performance against local and national targets, escalating risks and contributing to service improvement initiatives.
- Communicate complex research information clearly and professionally, supporting a positive, high-performing research culture.
- Ensure study documentation, amendments and safety reporting are managed in accordance with SOPs, national guidance and regulatory standards.
About us
St George's, Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals and Health Group cares for a population of four million people in South West London and North East Surrey.Our sites include St George's Hospital, one of 11 major trauma centres in the UK and the largest healthcare provider and major teaching hospital in the area; St Helier Hospital, home to the South West Thames Renal and Transplantation Unit and Queen Mary's Hospital for Children; and Epsom Hospital, home to the South West London Elective Orthopaedic Centre (SWLEOC).
After years of collaboration, our two Trusts became a hospitals group in 2021. While remaining as two separate Trusts, being a hospitals group will help us to collaborate more closely on research, and the development, education, and training of our 17,000-strong workforce.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Study Set-Up, Delivery, Governance and Sponsorship
- Manage a portfolio of clinical research studies, ensuring timely set-up, delivery and compliance with ethical, regulatory and governance requirements.
- Provide expert advice on research governance, regulatory approvals and sponsorship requirements, including HRA, REC, MHRA and IRAS processes.
- Lead and support sponsor review of GESH-initiated studies, ensuring high standards of quality, compliance and risk management throughout the study lifecycle.
Grant Development and Study Feasibility
- Support researchers during grant and study development, providing advice on feasibility, delivery considerations, sponsorship requirements, risk assessment and costings at submission stage.
- Work with investigators and internal teams to ensure proposed studies are deliverable and aligned with organisational priorities.
Stakeholder Engagement and Collaboration
- Act as a key point of contact for clinical specialities, providing ongoing advice and support throughout the research lifecycle.
- Liaise with internal support services and external stakeholders, including sponsors, CROs, academic partners and regulators, to facilitate approvals, contracts and costings.
Performance Monitoring and Systems
- Maintain accurate study records on research management systems (e.g. EDGE) and monitor performance against local and national targets.
Professional Practice and Service Development
- Contribute to the development of robust research governance processes, training and continuous service improvement.
- Work in accordance with health and safety, confidentiality, equality and diversity policies, supporting a positive and high-performing research culture.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Study Set-Up, Delivery, Governance and Sponsorship
- Manage a portfolio of clinical research studies, ensuring timely set-up, delivery and compliance with ethical, regulatory and governance requirements.
- Provide expert advice on research governance, regulatory approvals and sponsorship requirements, including HRA, REC, MHRA and IRAS processes.
- Lead and support sponsor review of GESH-initiated studies, ensuring high standards of quality, compliance and risk management throughout the study lifecycle.
Grant Development and Study Feasibility
- Support researchers during grant and study development, providing advice on feasibility, delivery considerations, sponsorship requirements, risk assessment and costings at submission stage.
- Work with investigators and internal teams to ensure proposed studies are deliverable and aligned with organisational priorities.
Stakeholder Engagement and Collaboration
- Act as a key point of contact for clinical specialities, providing ongoing advice and support throughout the research lifecycle.
- Liaise with internal support services and external stakeholders, including sponsors, CROs, academic partners and regulators, to facilitate approvals, contracts and costings.
Performance Monitoring and Systems
- Maintain accurate study records on research management systems (e.g. EDGE) and monitor performance against local and national targets.
Professional Practice and Service Development
- Contribute to the development of robust research governance processes, training and continuous service improvement.
- Work in accordance with health and safety, confidentiality, equality and diversity policies, supporting a positive and high-performing research culture.
Person Specification
Qualifications and Training
Essential
- Educated to degree level or equivalent experience
- ICH-GCP certification
- Evidence of knowledge and expertise at postgraduate level, demonstrated through a relevant qualification or equivalent professional experience
Desirable
- Project Management certification/qualification
Experience and Knowledge
Essential
- Previous administrative experience in an NHS, University or clinical research environment
- Experience of HRA, MHRA and NHS Management Permission approval processes
- Working knowledge of legislation & guidelines relevant to clinical research
Desirable
- Experience of reviewing researchrelated contracts
- Experience of conducting research sponsorship reviews
- Experience of research auditing
Skills
Essential
- An understanding of governance and sponsorship issues in a research context
- Good understanding of the Research Policy Framework for Healthcare research, the UK Clinical Trials Regulations, and relevant research governance considerations
- Ability to effectively organise own workload with minimum of supervision and to work within tight deadlines
Desirable
- Experience of writing and working to Standard Operating Procedures
- Usage of clinical R&D databases e.g EDGE
- Understanding of clinical trials costs
Person Specification
Qualifications and Training
Essential
- Educated to degree level or equivalent experience
- ICH-GCP certification
- Evidence of knowledge and expertise at postgraduate level, demonstrated through a relevant qualification or equivalent professional experience
Desirable
- Project Management certification/qualification
Experience and Knowledge
Essential
- Previous administrative experience in an NHS, University or clinical research environment
- Experience of HRA, MHRA and NHS Management Permission approval processes
- Working knowledge of legislation & guidelines relevant to clinical research
Desirable
- Experience of reviewing researchrelated contracts
- Experience of conducting research sponsorship reviews
- Experience of research auditing
Skills
Essential
- An understanding of governance and sponsorship issues in a research context
- Good understanding of the Research Policy Framework for Healthcare research, the UK Clinical Trials Regulations, and relevant research governance considerations
- Ability to effectively organise own workload with minimum of supervision and to work within tight deadlines
Desirable
- Experience of writing and working to Standard Operating Procedures
- Usage of clinical R&D databases e.g EDGE
- Understanding of clinical trials costs
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.
