Job summary
Research Governance Coordinator
Department Research and Development
Band 6 £38,682 - £46,580 Per annum
Hours: 37.5 hours per week, all MKUH roles will be considered for flexible working.
This is a mostly non-patient facing position, requiring a candidate with clinical trials and/or project management experience. The successful candidate will promote and facilitate the adoption of NIHR portfolio studies within the Trust, with particular attention to lesser research active areas and within the current framework of local and national guidelines and protocols and NIHR requirements.
In addition, the successful candidate will be expected to support clinicians in initiating commercial and other trials and will provide detailed advice on research policy and procedure. The post holder will work on their own initiative to achieve the objectives within the R&D Business Plan, actively pursuing opportunities to maximise funding and increase accrual into research studies.
The post holder will be expected to work across a wide range of disciplines, collaborate with a large variety of staff and with external agencies, including funders. Establishing and maintaining good working relationships will require the post holder to be able to work autonomously and to have effective communication and negotiating skills. The ability to enthuse, motivate and involve clinicians and Support Departments is essential.
Interview Date: 13 April 2026
Main duties of the job
'They feel supported in their employers making reasonable adjustments to help them carry out their work, rating an 82.9%.'NHS Staff Survey 2024
We care We communicate We collaborate We contribute'
This is a mostly non-patient facing position, requiring a candidate with clinical trials and/or project management experience. The successful candidate will promote and facilitate the adoption of NIHR portfolio studies within the Trust, with particular attention to lesser research active areas and within the current framework of local and national guidelines and protocols and NIHR requirements.
In addition, the successful candidate will be expected to support clinicians in initiating commercial and other trials and will provide detailed advice on research policy and procedure. The post holder will work on their own initiative to achieve the objectives within the R&D Business Plan, actively pursuing opportunities to maximise funding and increase accrual into research studies.
The post holder will be expected to work across a wide range of disciplines, collaborate with a large variety of staff and with external agencies, including funders. Establishing and maintaining good working relationships will require the post holder to be able to work autonomously and to have effective communication and negotiating skills. The ability to enthuse, motivate and involve clinicians and Support Departments is essential.
About us
Milton Keynes University Hospital, in proud partnership with the University of Buckingham, is a University Teaching Hospital committed to advancing patient care through cutting-edge research and education. With a "Good" rating from the CQC and significant investment underway, this is an exciting time to join our team and grow your career.
As a medium sized general hospital, we provide a full range of general medical and surgical services, including a busy Emergency Department, Maternity, and Paediatrics. As the population of our city and surrounding areas continues to grow rapidly, we are expanding and enhancing our facilities to meet rising demand and improve access to care for all our communities.
We are also proud to offer a growing portfolio of specialist services. In January 2025 we opened our state-of-the-art Radiotherapy Centre, bringing advanced cancer treatment closer to home. Our services also include neonatology, specialist surgical care, and a wide range of diagnostics, supported by the new Community Diagnostic Centre at Whitehouse Health Centre.
Further investment is underway, including the construction of Oak Wards - a new ward block featuring two 24-bed wards - and the recently approved Women and Children's Centre, set to open by 2030.
Visit our website to explore the latest news and opportunities at MKUH - News - Milton Keynes University Hospital -
For further information about Milton Keynes please visit - Visit Milton Keynes
Job description
Job responsibilities
The post holder will provide support and specialist R&D advice to investigators to ensure that studies are successfully set up and opened to recruitment, and will be responsible for the co-ordination, and the resolving of issues relating to research studies. The post holder must be proficient at multi-tasking, with the ability to concentrate for prolonged periods of time and the scientific capability to review and assess complex research protocols.
1. To identify new or potentiala) research studies (to include NIHR portfolio, non-portfolio & commercial trials)b) research receptive professionalsc) funding streamsd) clinical specialities, in which to conduct research within the Trust
2. Management of staff within the governance team. Carry out appraisals, training, induction and one to ones maintaining communication with senior management. 3. To assess the feasibility of conducting new and potential clinical trials and research studies, e.g. financial implications, human resources, infrastructure, equipment needs with appropriate staff including Consultants, Departmental Heads (e.g. Radiology, Pathology, Pharmacy), Research Nurses, Specialist Nurses and the R&D budget holder.4. Analyse and compare feasible research studies to prioritise and maximise accrual and developmental targets.
Please refer to the Job Description for further details
Job description
Job responsibilities
The post holder will provide support and specialist R&D advice to investigators to ensure that studies are successfully set up and opened to recruitment, and will be responsible for the co-ordination, and the resolving of issues relating to research studies. The post holder must be proficient at multi-tasking, with the ability to concentrate for prolonged periods of time and the scientific capability to review and assess complex research protocols.
1. To identify new or potentiala) research studies (to include NIHR portfolio, non-portfolio & commercial trials)b) research receptive professionalsc) funding streamsd) clinical specialities, in which to conduct research within the Trust
2. Management of staff within the governance team. Carry out appraisals, training, induction and one to ones maintaining communication with senior management. 3. To assess the feasibility of conducting new and potential clinical trials and research studies, e.g. financial implications, human resources, infrastructure, equipment needs with appropriate staff including Consultants, Departmental Heads (e.g. Radiology, Pathology, Pharmacy), Research Nurses, Specialist Nurses and the R&D budget holder.4. Analyse and compare feasible research studies to prioritise and maximise accrual and developmental targets.
Please refer to the Job Description for further details
Person Specification
Qualifications and knowledge
Essential
- Undergraduate degree, BSc, BSc Hons
- Good Clinical Practice Training
Desirable
- Research qualification
- Postgraduate qualification
Experience
Essential
- Experience of project management
- Knowledge of the governance and legislative framework for conducting clinical research studies, including Good Clinical Practice
- Knowledge of current national systems and structures for the approval, management, and monitoring of clinical research in the NHS
- Experience working in an office environment
Desirable
- Demonstrable experience of managing a team
- Demonstrable experience of collaborative working across varying hierarchical structures
Skills
Essential
- Ability to represent the Trust effectively both internally and externally
- Computer literate to include Power point, Access Database, Word Processing
- Excellent organisational skills
- Management and supervisory skills
- Strong problem-solving skills
- High attention to detail
Desirable
- Strong leadership skills
- Ability to work with a high degree of autonomy and little supervision
Personal and people development
Essential
- Demonstrable commitment to personal and professional development
- Demonstrable ability to educate others within the department, share best practice and teach and train trial staff
Communication
Essential
- Good communication and interpersonal skills, enthusiasm, and a willingness to work closely and co-operatively with others.
- Excellent presentation skills
- Excellent report writing skills
- Ability to communicate complex information orally and in writing to a range of audiences
Desirable
- High level communication skills, sufficient to manage the communication of sensitive and critical information to Trust Board, clinicians, collaborators, and the public
Specific requirements
Essential
- Able to perform the duties of the post with reasonable aids and adaptations
Person Specification
Qualifications and knowledge
Essential
- Undergraduate degree, BSc, BSc Hons
- Good Clinical Practice Training
Desirable
- Research qualification
- Postgraduate qualification
Experience
Essential
- Experience of project management
- Knowledge of the governance and legislative framework for conducting clinical research studies, including Good Clinical Practice
- Knowledge of current national systems and structures for the approval, management, and monitoring of clinical research in the NHS
- Experience working in an office environment
Desirable
- Demonstrable experience of managing a team
- Demonstrable experience of collaborative working across varying hierarchical structures
Skills
Essential
- Ability to represent the Trust effectively both internally and externally
- Computer literate to include Power point, Access Database, Word Processing
- Excellent organisational skills
- Management and supervisory skills
- Strong problem-solving skills
- High attention to detail
Desirable
- Strong leadership skills
- Ability to work with a high degree of autonomy and little supervision
Personal and people development
Essential
- Demonstrable commitment to personal and professional development
- Demonstrable ability to educate others within the department, share best practice and teach and train trial staff
Communication
Essential
- Good communication and interpersonal skills, enthusiasm, and a willingness to work closely and co-operatively with others.
- Excellent presentation skills
- Excellent report writing skills
- Ability to communicate complex information orally and in writing to a range of audiences
Desirable
- High level communication skills, sufficient to manage the communication of sensitive and critical information to Trust Board, clinicians, collaborators, and the public
Specific requirements
Essential
- Able to perform the duties of the post with reasonable aids and adaptations
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.
