HUMAN TISSUE RESEARCH COMPLIANCE MANAGER

Swansea University; Sheffield; On-site; GBP 36,000 - 46,000; Full time

Job summary

Swansea University is seeking a Human Tissue Officer to support governance framework, maintain SOPs, provide expert advice to researchers and staff. This role ensures ethical, legal, and best practice compliance in studies involving human tissue.

The post holder will review ethics applications, advise on approval pathways, and ensure adherence to the Human Tissue Act and related standards across the research lifecycle.

Job description

About The University

Swansea University is a research-led university that has been making a difference since 1920. The University community thrives on exploration and discovery and offers the right balance of excellent teaching and research, matched by an enviable quality of life.

Our stunning waterfront campuses and multicultural community make us a desirable workplace for colleagues from around the world. Our reward and benefits, and ways of working enable those who join us to have enriching careers, matched by an excellent work-life balance.

About The Role

The Human Tissue Officer plays a key role in supporting the University's Human Tissue Research governance framework, ensuring that research involving human tissue is conducted ethically, legally, and in accordance with best practice. The post holder is responsible for maintaining and developing the University's Human Tissue Research Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and providing specialist advice to researchers, students, and professional services staff.

Working closely with cross‑faculty Research Ethics Committees and through the Infonetica ethics application system, the role supports the review of ethics applications and University Sponsorship requests for studies requiring NHS Research Ethics Committee approval. The post holder provides expert guidance on the appropriate approval pathways for new studies and advises on regulatory requirements throughout the research lifecycle.

The role promotes compliance with the Human Tissue Act, Human Tissue Authority standards, and associated governance requirements. Responsibilities include advising on informed consent, researcher training, records management, sample collection, use, transfer, storage, retention, and disposal, while fostering good research practice and a culture of continuous compliance.

As the University's subject matter expert for Human Tissue Research, the post holder works collaboratively with researchers, ethics committees, sponsors, and external regulatory bodies to support high‑quality, compliant research and safeguard the University's reputation and legal obligations.

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

The University is committed to supporting and promoting equality and diversity in all its practices and activities. We aim to establish an inclusive environment and welcome diverse applications from the following protected characteristics: age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race (including colour, nationality, ethnic and national origin), religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation.

As an inclusive and welcoming workplace, we value people for their skills regardless of their background. Applications are welcome in Welsh and will not be treated less favourably than those submitted in English.

Welsh Language Skills

The Welsh language level required for this role is Level 1 - A little. The role holder will be able to pronounce Welsh words, answer the phone in Welsh (good morning/afternoon) and use very basic everyday words and phrases (thank you, please etc.). Level 1 can be reached by completing a 1 hour course.

The University is a proud bilingual institution, our Welsh Language Strategy outlines our aspiration to promote the language and enable our staff to engage with the language as an additional workplace skill and as a gateway to new cultural and social opportunities. Applications are welcome in Welsh and will not be treated less favourably than those submitted in English. Welsh speakers have the right to an interview in Welsh. Applicants for a role where Welsh skills are essential are expected to present their application in Welsh and will be interviewed in Welsh, if shortlisted.

Additional Information

Applications for this role will take the format of a CV submission and cover letter.