Lead for Strategic Research Initiatives

The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre; Liverpool; On-site; GBP 114,000 - 151,000; Part time

Job summary

The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre invites applications for the Lead for Strategic Research Initiatives. The role provides senior clinical leadership to deliver the Trust's strategic research priorities and support the Organisation of European Cancer Institutes (OECI) Accreditation Programme.

You will collaborate with academia and healthcare partners to grow research capacity and fund opportunities. Initially responsible for OECI accreditation delivery and Cancer North Biomedical Research Centre

Qualifications

• Higher research degree required.
• Postgraduate clinical qualifications in relevant field.
• Evidence of strong continuing professional development (CPD).

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership for strategic research initiatives across the Trust.
• Represent the Trust at local, regional and national meetings as appropriate.
• Work with clinical and academic partners to advance research ambitions.
• Act as clinical lead for the Trust's OECI Accreditation Programme.
• Support development of evidence, documentation and action plans for accreditation.
• Foster collaboration between Trusts and Universities and NHS partners.

Skills

Management experience

Research leadership

Partnership working

Understanding of health economy

Strategic collaboration

Education

Higher research degree

Postgraduate clinical qualifications

Evidence of CPD

Job description

Main area Research Strategy Grade NHS Medical & Dental: Consultant Contract Fixed term: 3 years (short-term funding) Hours Part time - 1 session per week (1 PA with the potential to increase to 2 PA subject to funding) Job ref 158-26-243-RES

Site The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre - The Spine Building Town Liverpool Salary £113,565 - £150,569 per annum pro rata Salary period Yearly Closing 21/10/2026 23:59

We want our recruitment process to be fair, inclusive, and accessible for everyone. If you need support or a reasonable adjustment at any stage of the application or interview process, please contact our Recruitment Team - 0151 5565176 or [e-mail]. Adjustments may include alternative formats, extra time for assessments, communication support, accessible interview arrangements, interview questions prior to interview or other changes tailored to your needs.

Right to work: We actively promote diversity and inclusion. This role may be eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route. We recommend that you assess your eligibility before applying for this position. Skilled Worker sponsorship will be assigned in line with Trust procedure. Visit https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa

The Lead for Strategic Research Initiatives will provide senior clinical leadership to support delivery of strategic research priorities at The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre.

Initially, the post holder will provide leadership for the Trust's Organisation of European Cancer Institutes (OECI) Accreditation Programme and support the development and delivery of an agreed Cancer North Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) theme or programme. The role will strengthen collaboration with academic and healthcare partners, support research capacity building and contribute to the delivery of the Trust's Research Strategy 2026-2031.

Main duties of the job

• Support delivery of strategic research priorities across the Trust.
• Provide research leadership for agreed strategic initiatives that enhance the Trust's research profile and impact.
• Represent the Trust at relevant local, regional and national meetings as appropriate.
• Work closely with the Director of Clinical Research, Director of Research, clinical leaders and academic partners to advance the Trust's research ambitions.
• Act as clinical lead for the Trust's OECI Accreditation Programme.
• Support the development of evidence, documentation and action plans required for accreditation.
• Engage clinical, academic and operational colleagues in accreditation activities.
• Contribute to implementation of recommendations arising from the accreditation process.
• Support development and delivery of an agreed Cancer North BRC theme or programme.
• Foster collaboration between the partner Trusts and Universities and other NHS and academic partners.
• Contribute to the development of funding applications and research opportunities aligned to the programme.
• Support the development of research capacity and clinical research activity within the Trust.
• Identify opportunities to strengthen research infrastructure, collaborations and funding.
• Support the development of high-quality research programmes with potential to improve patient outcomes and service delivery.
• Provide mentorship and advice to emerging clinical researchers where appropriate

Working for our organisation

The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre NHS Foundation Trust is one of the UK’s leading cancer centres providing highly specialist cancer care to a population of 2.4m people across Cheshire and Merseyside, and the surrounding areas, including North Wales and the Isle of Man.

Our vision is to not only maintain this level of commitment to excellence but to work with our academic and healthcare partners across the region to ensure care, treatment and patient outcomes continuously improve in the future. We are very proud of all our expert and loyal staff and we welcome people who share the collective aim of delivering excellence in everything that we do.

Our values represent who we are and what we believe in. They define how we act to deliver the best possible care for our patients and shape The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre as a great place to work.

We are -

• Kind
• Empowered
• Responsible
• Inclusiv e

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Please see attached Job Description and Person Specification for full details about this exciting role on offer at The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre.

Person specification

Qualifications

• Higher research degree
• Postgraduate clinical qualifications in relevant field
• Evidence of strong continuing professional development

Experience

• Experience of management
• Experience of exercising effective results orientated leadership
• Clinical /academic research leadership
• Understanding of wider health economy
• Experience of partnership working

Knowledge

• Management of clinical research trials
• Risk management of clinical research
• Good clinical practice and the regulatory requirements for clinical research
• Willingness to engage with and learn about performance management issues
• Knowledge of performance management issues/ waiting time targets
• An understanding of strategic issues facing cancer services
• An understanding of / willingness to learn about the operation of Foundation Trusts

If you are successfully shortlisted, you will be invited for an interview via email. Please ensure you regularly check your emails (including junk folders) following your application and let us know if you have any problems. If you would prefer for us to communicate with you in a different way, or need adjustments to the interview process, please contact the Recruitment Team on 0151 556 5176 or [e-mail] . All interviews will be undertaken in person unless extraordinary circumstances apply.

If you do not receive confirmation that you have been shortlisted for interview, please assume that you have not been shortlisted on this occasion. It is with regret that we are unable to provide feedback to all non-shortlisted candidates.

The cost of processing a new DBS application is met by the successful applicant. DBS costs are recovered via salary deduction following commencement in post - further details including cost are available from the Recruitment Team. It is a Trust recommendation that candidates requiring a DBS check subscribe to the DBS Update Service - further details are available here - https://www.gov.uk/dbs-update-service . Candidates who withdraw post-DBS submission will be invoiced for the full cost of the check including administration fee.

Trust takes active responsibility for meeting national guidance and legal requirements in relation to our Safeguarding Policy, including local arrangements for the protection of adults at risk.

Trust is committed to providing high standards of both patient and staff experience. To support us in doing this the Trust, in partnership with Trade Unions has developed and embedded key values and behaviours that all staff are required to demonstrate throughout their employment. The Trust's values and behaviours support the Trust Vision 'to provide the best cancer care to the people we serve' and our Mission 'to improve health and wellbeing through compassionate, safe and effective cancer care'.

We promote and support diversity in our workforce. The Trust have staff networks such as Ethnic Diversity Staff Network, LGBTQ+ Staff Network, Armed Forces Staff Network, MAPLE Staff Network & Menopause Support Group. The Trust does not tolerate discrimination, bullying or harassment and has firmed up processes for reporting this, including a dedicated Freedom To Speak Up (FTSU) Guardian.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.