Band 5 - Lead Research Support Officer - Bristol

NHS; Bristol; On-site; GBP 29,000 - 37,000; Full time

Job summary

The NHS is seeking a motivated Lead Research Support Officer to enhance lives through mental health research. This role involves project support, high-level administration, and coordination of various initiatives within a dedicated team. Ideal for candidates looking to contribute to impactful research in a flexible environment.

Qualifications

• Experience in managing projects in a research context (University/NHS).
• Supporting formal meetings is essential.
• Comprehensive IT skills to collate and report on performance.

Responsibilities

• Planning and communicating the Project Work Plan.
• Administering internal and external meetings.
• Organising and facilitating relevant training and events.

Skills

Communication

Organizational skills

IT/Data-management skills

Education

Degree level education or equivalent professional experience

Job description

Job summary

AWP Research and Development (R&D) are seeking a motivated Lead Research Support Officer with an interest in improving the lives of individuals with mental health difficulties through research.

The Lead Research Support Officer is a key member of the R&D Department and will support, facilitate and monitor the delivery of projects to agreed timescales in AWP.

You will also work alongside Senior R&D Leaders, providing high level administration, and work on research related initiatives across the Trust and with external partner organisations.

We are a small but important team, with approximately 25 research staff supporting the development and delivery of research. Our work covers a broad range of topic areas, including exploring novel treatments for psychosis, bipolar, difficult-to-treat resistant depression and dementia. You will work with our inclusive team to provide administrative support and the smooth delivery of projects across the department.

This position offers an opportunity to use your skills and experience in a stimulating and rewarding environment. We look forward to hearing from you.

The role is offered for a minimum permanent contract of 30 hours per week (0.8WTE) up to 37.5 hours per week (1.0WTE), which is flexible on the wishes of the successful candidate.

Interviews will take place on 6th and 7th August. You will need to be available for interview on these dates.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will be a key member of the Research & Development (R&D) Department and will be expected to support, facilitate and monitor the delivery of projects to agreed timescales. These duties will include:

Project support and high-level administration.

Planning and communicating the Project Work Plan.

Organising and facilitating relevant training, workshops and events.

Administrating internal and external meetings.

Specialised administration and governance support.

For a full list of duties and responsibilities please see attached job description.

About us

We are AWP (Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust):a diverse organisation with over 5,000 dedicated staff providing inpatient and community-based mental health care.

We provide services from a range of locations to approximately 1.8 million people living in Bath and North East Somerset (B&NES), Bristol, North Somerset, South Gloucestershire, Swindon, across the county of Wiltshire and in parts of Dorset.

Our outstanding people promote mental health and wellbeing. The expertise and resources within AWP are dedicated to a person-centred approach for those who use our services and for all employees. We recognise that happy and fulfilled employees give better care.

AWP is committed to support and create a positive research and evidence-based environment and culture, which can have a beneficial impact on everyone who works for the organisation and the care we provide to those who use our services.

At AWP we actively encourage applicants from all backgrounds; we are particularly keen to encourage applications from people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, those with disabilities and from the LGBTQ+ community. We want people to bring their unique blend of experiences, backgrounds, perspectives and knowledge to AWP, as diversity makes us stronger.

Details Date posted

02 July 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 5

Salary

£29,970 to £36,483 a year pro rata (pay award pending)

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time, Flexible working

Reference number

342-CS059-0725

Job locations

Blackberry Hill Hospital - Fromeside

Manor Road

Bristol

BS16 2EW

Job description Job responsibilities

Ensure the effective coordination for research support and be responsible for:

• Planning and communicating the Project Work Plan, in conjunction with Senior R&D Leaders adapting it as required to meet changing priorities.
• Administering both internal and external meetings, working within R&D to ensure timely preparation of documentation and communication to members of the meeting, ensure the meetings are attended administratively and minutes or action logs are prepared and circulated in a timely manner.
• Organising and facilitating relevant training, workshops and events.
• Seeking information from members of the R&D teams, at times needing to challenge them on any slippage in project deliverables, in order to produce and update high quality project plans and other core project documentation and reports.
• Maintaining the project or programme shared drives, including folder structure.
• Supporting communication between the team and other parties by providing timely responses to queries received, both by telephone, team e-mail inbox, in writing and in person.
• Maintaining project paperwork including version control.
• Works closely with other Trust departments to ensuring specific tasks are picked up by the relevant specialists in accordance with progression with the project.

Other Duties

The post holder may be required to perform duties other than those given in the job description for the post. The particular duties and responsibilities attached to posts may vary from time to time without changing the general character of the duties or the level of responsibilities entailed. Such variations are a common occurrence and would not of themselves justify the re-evaluation of a post. In cases, however, where a permanent and substantial change in the duties and responsibilities of a post occurs, consistent with a higher level of responsibility, then the post would be eligible for re-evaluation.

For a full list of duties and responsibilities please see attached job description.

Job description Job responsibilities

Ensure the effective coordination for research support and be responsible for:

• Planning and communicating the Project Work Plan, in conjunction with Senior R&D Leaders adapting it as required to meet changing priorities.
• Administering both internal and external meetings, working within R&D to ensure timely preparation of documentation and communication to members of the meeting, ensure the meetings are attended administratively and minutes or action logs are prepared and circulated in a timely manner.
• Organising and facilitating relevant training, workshops and events.
• Seeking information from members of the R&D teams, at times needing to challenge them on any slippage in project deliverables, in order to produce and update high quality project plans and other core project documentation and reports.
• Maintaining the project or programme shared drives, including folder structure.
• Supporting communication between the team and other parties by providing timely responses to queries received, both by telephone, team e-mail inbox, in writing and in person.
• Maintaining project paperwork including version control.
• Works closely with other Trust departments to ensuring specific tasks are picked up by the relevant specialists in accordance with progression with the project.

Other Duties

The post holder may be required to perform duties other than those given in the job description for the post. The particular duties and responsibilities attached to posts may vary from time to time without changing the general character of the duties or the level of responsibilities entailed. Such variations are a common occurrence and would not of themselves justify the re-evaluation of a post. In cases, however, where a permanent and substantial change in the duties and responsibilities of a post occurs, consistent with a higher level of responsibility, then the post would be eligible for re-evaluation.

For a full list of duties and responsibilities please see attached job description.

Person Specification Qualifications Essential

• Degree level education or equivalent professional experience.

Experience Essential

• Previous experience of managing projects in a research context (University/NHS).
• Supporting formal meetings.

Skills Essential

• Comprehensive IT/ Data-management skills, specifically the ability to use IT packages to collate, summarise and report on department performance.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to prioritise work and manage deadlines.
• Excellent organisational skills using systematic, thorough and logical approaches.

Person Specification Qualifications Essential

• Degree level education or equivalent professional experience.

Experience Essential

• Previous experience of managing projects in a research context (University/NHS).
• Supporting formal meetings.

Skills Essential

• Comprehensive IT/ Data-management skills, specifically the ability to use IT packages to collate, summarise and report on department performance.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to prioritise work and manage deadlines.
• Excellent organisational skills using systematic, thorough and logical approaches.

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

Avon & Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust

Address

Blackberry Hill Hospital - Fromeside

Manor Road

Bristol

BS16 2EW

Employer's website

http://www.awp.nhs.uk/about-us/working-for-us/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details Employer name

Avon & Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust

Address

Blackberry Hill Hospital - Fromeside

Manor Road

Bristol

BS16 2EW

Employer's website

http://www.awp.nhs.uk/about-us/working-for-us/ (Opens in a new tab)