Health Research Assistant

TN United Kingdom; Reading; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare organization in Reading seeks a Health Research Assistant to provide exceptional care to participants while gathering clinical data. The role involves processing biological samples and ensuring participant comfort. Ideal candidates will have laboratory skills and a passion for healthcare. The position offers a supportive environment and a variety of employee benefits.

Benefits

26 days of annual leave

Paid day off for your birthday

USS Pension Scheme

Health Plan

Free on-site gym

Employee discounts portal

Qualifications

• Background in laboratory skills, clinical, or healthcare fields.
• Ability to clearly explain procedures to participants.

Responsibilities

• Process biological samples and ensure participant welfare.
• Collect physical data through measurements and assessments.

Skills

Laboratory Skills

Interpersonal Skills

Attention to Detail

IT Skills

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Ensuring Exceptional Participant Experience and Accurate Clinical Assessments

Located at our Imaging Centre in Reading, our dedicated Health Research Assistant team welcomes participants over 350 days per year. This team plays a pivotal role in the world's most significant healthcare data programme, ensuring every participant feels comfortable and receives the best possible experience during their time with us.

Your primary responsibility each day is to provide exceptional care to all participants while gathering a variety of baseline measurements through clinical assessments.

This position is ideal for individuals with excellent laboratory skills and a background in clinical or healthcare fields who are passionate about working with people.

Key Responsibilities:

• Process biological samples, including blood, within the blood processing room.
• Liaise with the site laboratory, ensuring samples are handled and stored correctly. (Additional lab responsibilities are included in this role.)
• Ensure the welfare of participants throughout their visit, providing high-quality care.
• Collect physical data through measurements and assessments.
• Ensure all equipment functions correctly and escalate issues as needed.

Is this you?

Reporting to the HRA Team Lead, you will have:

• A background in laboratory skills, clinical, or healthcare fields.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, with the ability to clearly explain procedures to participants.
• Strong IT skills, including proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, or equivalent).
• Attention to detail, with a focus on quality and accuracy.
• The ability to manage and prioritise workloads efficiently while maintaining high standards.

The working pattern for this role involves 36 hours per week (3 x 12-hour shifts) from Monday to Sunday, 7:30 am to 8:30 pm.

We are committed to diversity and equality, creating a welcoming, respectful, and engaging work environment that offers opportunities for personal and professional development.

Rewards and Recognition

• 26 days of annual leave (increasing with service) plus Bank Holidays
• Holiday buy scheme (up to one additional week of leave per year)
• Paid day off for your birthday
• USS Pension Scheme (hybrid defined benefit/defined contribution)
• Enhanced family leave from day one
• Health Plan
• Cycle to work scheme
• Reimbursement of professional subscriptions (where applicable)
• Free on-site gym and canteen with subsidised lunches
• Free parking
• Employee discounts portal
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Life Assurance cover

The closing date for applications may change; we recommend applying promptly.

UK Biobank is a large-scale biomedical database containing in-depth genetic and health information from half a million UK participants. It is the largest and most comprehensive of its kind, anonymised and accessible to global researchers to facilitate discoveries about diseases such as cancer, heart disease, and stroke.

With over 250 staff across four UK sites, UK Biobank fosters an engaging environment supporting staff development. Our teams work alongside leading biomedical scientists to improve public health.