Academic Research Governance Coordinator

Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust; Milton Keynes; On-site; GBP 38,000 - 47,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading NHS hospital in Milton Keynes seeks an Academic Research Governance Coordinator to support study development and ensure compliance with regulation. Key duties include managing governance processes, advising on research procedures, and coordinating with various staff. Candidates must possess project management skills and be adept at communication. The role offers a salary range from £38,682 to £46,580 per annum, pro rata. Hybrid work and flexible hours are considered.

Qualifications

• Good Clinical Practice Training is essential.
• Experience in project management and team management.
• Knowledge of NHS research governance and legislative framework required.

Responsibilities

• Provide support and advice on research studies to ensure project success.
• Coordinate internal and external communications for research studies.
• Manage governance team staff and resolve study-related issues.

Skills

Project management

Good communication skills

Problem-solving

Leadership skills

Attention to detail

Organizational skills

Team management

Education

Research qualification

Tools

PowerPoint

Access Database

Job description

Go back Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Academic Research Governance Coordinator

The closing date is 07 January 2026

Department: Research & Development Department

Hours: 30 per week, all MKUH roles will be considered for flexible working

The Research & Development department at Milton Keynes University Hospital NHSFT are recruiting an Academic Research Governance Coordinator to join the team. The post-holder will support Researchers in the development of Own Accounts research and contribute on the policy, strategy and tactics relating to all aspects of Trust R&D, as directed by the Executive Lead for R&D, to maximise Trust R&D performance.

The post will support the Head and Deputy Head of R&D in the reviewing of MKUH sponsored and co-sponsored studies prior to HRA and regulatory submission, confirming capacity to support the study. Alongside research approvals, the post-holder will need to keep up to date with research regulations, develop SOPs and guidance documents and will on occasion be required to provide research governance training to R&D staff and research staff alike.

Interview date - 20/01/2026

We are unable to offer sponsorship for this role

Main duties of the job

- NHS Survey, 2024They feel supported in their employers making reasonable adjustments to help them carry out their work, rating an 82.9%

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 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.

• To identify new or potential research studies (to include NIHR portfolio, non-portfolio & commercial trials) research receptive professionals funding streams clinical specialities, in which to conduct research within the Trust
• Management of staff within the governance team. Carry out appraisals, training, induction and one to ones maintaining communication with senior management
• 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
• Analyse and compare feasible research studies to prioritise and maximise accrual and developmental targets
• Act as pivotal point of contact for the research study teams and other related internal departments and external agencies such as East of England Regional Research Delivery Network (EoE RRDN) and the HRA
• Communicate complex issues with trial personnel in respect of legal trial responsibilities (e.g. Site Agreements). Obtain relevant Trust and clinician authorisation
• Manage arrangements regarding trial funding income e.g. invoicing arrangements, lead clinician/study team use of funding
• Take responsibility to ensure the local set up for studies in assessing, arranging and confirming capacity and capability is in place before recruitment of first patient. Working alongside the study team and the head of R&D towards timely confirmation of capacity and capability to ensure all benchmarks are met. Notification to Lead Trial Centre of approvals and receipt of authorisation to commence trial
• Initiate and organise trial feasibility meetings for each new trial, ensuring all trial personnel are fully informed pre-trial initiation
• Initiate meetings with lead clinician on a regular basis to guide progress, assess accrual to study, and trouble-shoot as required, facilitating adjustments

Please refer to the job description for further details.

Person Specification

Qualifications and knowledge

• Good Clinical Practice Training
• Research qualification

Experience

• 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
• Demonstrable experience of managing a team.
• Demonstrable experience of collaborative working across varying hierarchical structures

Skills

• 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
• Ability to work with a high degree of autonomy and little supervision.
• Strong leadership skills

Personal and people development

• 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

• Good communication and interpersonal skills, enthusiasm, and a willingness to work closely and co-operatively with others.
• Excellent presentation skills
• Ability to communicate complex information orally and in writing to a range of audiences.
• High level communication skills, sufficient to manage the communication of sensitive and critical information to Trust Board, clinicians, collaborators, and the public.

Specific requirements

• 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.

Employer name

Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

£38,682 to £46,580 a yearPer annum, pro rata