Research and Innovation Assistant

NHS; Llanelli; Hybrid; GBP 33,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

Hywel Dda University Health Board is seeking a Research Assistant (Band 5) in Llanelli for a 12-month secondment. The post supports the Tritech and Innovation division within the Research and Innovation Department, delivering trials, data collection and analysis, and collaboration with external partners.

The role requires recruitment and consenting of patients, data handling, and coordination of trial activities. Welsh language ability is desirable; interviews will be held on 25/11/26.

Qualifications

• Degree in appropriate subject or equivalent relevant experience.
• Certificate in ICH Good Clinical Practice.
• Masters in appropriate subject.
• Experience of using Microsoft Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Access and email).
• The ability to communicate in Welsh is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Support clinical studies by recruiting and consenting patients, conducting interviews, collecting and analysing data, and coordinating trial activities.
• Manage communications with study sites, maintain records, and handle administrative tasks such as organising meetings and taking minutes.
• Represent Hywel Dda University Health Board in partnerships with academic institutions, pharmaceutical companies, industry partners, and the third sector to promote innovation.

Skills

Recruiting patients

Consent patients

Data collection

Communication

Microsoft Office

Education

Degree in appropriate subject or equivalent relevant experience

Certificate in ICH Good Clinical Practice

Masters in appropriate subject

Tools

MS Office

Job description

Main area Research Assistant Grade Band 5 Contract 12 months (until 01/12/2027 due to Secondment cover) Hours Full time - 37.5 hours per week Job ref 100-AC295-1026-A

Employer Hywel Dda University Health Board Employer type NHS Site Pentre Awel Town Llanelli Salary £32,557 - £39,631 per annum Salary period Yearly Closing 16/11/2026 23:59 Interview date 25/11/2026

Our Hywel Dda values reflect who we are and how we behave. We continuously work together to be the best we can be as we strive to develop and deliver excellent services, putting people at the heart of everything we do. Throughout our recruitment process you will be asked to think about how you would demonstrate these values in the way that you work with us.

If you are registered Health Care professional considering relocating to the Hywel Dda area in West Wales please don’t hesitate to contact our recruitment campaigns team directly via [e-mail]

To keep up to date with our latest recruitment activity follow us on Facebook (Swyddi Hywel Dda Jobs), LinkedIn or on Twitter @SwyddiHDdaJobs

Hywel Dda University Health Board reserve the right to close vacancies after 24 hours if a large number of suitable applications are received. We encourage early applications to ensure consideration for a post.

Job overview

This post is a Secondment until 01/12/2027. If you are a Hywel Dda University Health Board employee and are applying for this post as a secondment, agreement for the secondment is needed from your current manager prior to application.

This is an opportunity for an individual to join the Tritech and Innovation division, part of the Research and Innovation Department at Hywel Dda University Health Board. The division is dedicated to identifying new, unmet clinical needs and translating them into innovative medical technologies that benefit patients, staff, and the wider health economy.

The post holder will be a key member of the team and will be based within newly established, dedicated facilities. They will be expected to work independently, demonstrating strong problem-solving skills across a wide range of highly complex, innovative medical devices and software platforms.

The role will involve completing a diverse range of tasks to a high standard in support of the department’s research and innovation agenda. This reflects the team’s commitment to quality and its overarching mission.

The Research & Innovation Assistant will also contribute as part of a wider team to deliver various evaluations and clinical investigations related to the development of new technologies, devices, and general innovation initiatives.

Main duties of the job

The Research and Innovation Assistant will support clinical studies by recruiting and consenting patients, conducting interviews, collecting and analysing data, and coordinating trial activities. They will also manage communications with study sites, maintain records, and handle various administrative tasks such as organising meetings and taking minutes.

This is a health board-wide role that involves representing Hywel Dda University Health Board in partnerships with academic institutions, pharmaceutical companies, industry partners, and the third sector to promote innovation.

Success in this role will be measured by the volume of research activity, improvements in patient outcomes, and the income generated to support the continued development of the Tritech and Innovation division.

Working for our organisation

Hywel Dda University Health Board plans and provides NHS healthcare services for people living in Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire, and bordering counties.

We have over 13,000 staff and together we provide primary, community, in-hospital, mental health and learning disabilities services.

We work in partnership with the three local authorities, as well as public, private and third sector colleagues, including our valued team of volunteers.

Our services are provided in:

• Four main hospitals: Bronglais Hospital in Aberystwyth; Glangwili Hospital in Carmarthen; Prince Philip Hospital in Llanelli; and Withybush Hospital in Haverfordwest
• Two integrated care centres: Aberaeron and Cardigan in Cerdigion, and several other community settings
• 47 general practices (six of which are health board managed practices); dental practices (including four orthodontic); 97 community pharmacies; 43 general ophthalmic practices; and 8 ophthalmic domiciliary providers
• Numerous mental health and learning disabilities services

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The ability to speak Welsh is desirable for this post; Welsh and/or English speakers are equally welcome to apply.

The Health Board is committed to supporting its staff to fully embrace the need for bilingualism thereby enhancing patient and service user experiences. In our commitment to increase the number of staff who are able to communicate in Welsh with patients and professionals, we welcome applications from Welsh speakers.

The ability to communicate in Welsh is desirable for this post. If you do not meet the Welsh Language requirements specified, the Health Board offers a variety of learning options and staff support to help you meet these minimal desirable requirements during the course of your employment with us.

Interviews will be held on 25/11/26

Person specification

Qualifications and Knowledge

• Degree in appropriate subject or equivalent relevant experience
• Certificate in ICH Good Clinical Practice.
• Masters in appropriate subject

Experience

• Previous experience of research in an NHS or university healthcare environment.
• Experience of clinical research, including ethical processes and health and safety
• Experience of recruiting and consenting patients
• Experience of using Microsoft Office packages [Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Access and email].
• Previous experience of effective team working.
• Evidence of publications and research dissemination
• Experience of working with patients
• Experience in qualitative/quantitative research and analysis

Language Skills

• Welsh speaker (level 1).

Other

• Ability to travel to different locations within the Health Board in a timely manner.
• Flexible approach to the needs of the service.

Hywel Dda University Health Board operates a bilingual policy. All applicants are invited to apply in Welsh, any application submitted in Welsh will not be treated less favourably than an application made in English.

IMPORTANT NOTE FOR APPLICANTS: Applications for our roles are carefully reviewed and shortlisted based on specific criteria, which varies from job to job. Using a generic application to apply for multiple roles or relying on automated AI application services, such as Lazy Apply or AI Apply, may not provide the necessary information, leading to your application being overlooked. To ensure your application is given full consideration, we recommend submitting a tailored application that directly addresses the criteria listed in the Person Specification section of the advert.

By submitting your application to NHS Jobs/Trac, you are giving your consent for elements of your application data to be transferred to the NHS Electronic Staff Record (ESR) and other secure, internal NHS Workforce systems in order to support and manage your recruitment and employment within your employing organisation; to be used by Recruitment for purposes of checking your Professional Registration online (where applicable).

These processes are in line with Fair and Lawful processing in line with current Data Protection Legislation especially those in relation to your personal or sensitive personal data (sensitive personal data is defined as any declared physical or mental health conditions, racial or ethnic origin, sexual orientation, trade union membership, political opinion, religious beliefs). As an organisation, we ensure that the legislation defining confidentiality is observed such as use of data for specific, defined purposes, and use of data that is relevant and not excessive whilst practising data accuracy and security of all held personal identifiable information (PII)

If you are successfully appointed, by completing the application form you authorise the UHB to obtain any previous NHS service details including all electronically held sickness information, via the Inter Authority Transfer process on the national Electronic Staff Record (ESR).

To work in the UK, all candidates who are not UK or Republic of Ireland (RoI) nationals require sponsorship to obtain either a Health and Care visa or Skilled Worker visa , unless you have permission to work via another route. Non UK / RoI candidates wishing to apply should self-assess the likelihood of obtaining a Certificate of Sponsorship by visiting Work in the UK . If you are eligible for the Health and Care visa, application costs are lower and you do not need to pay the annual Immigration Health Surcharge.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

The postholder will have access to vulnerable people in the course of their normal duties and as such this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Name Marie Kathrens Job title Tritech Institute and Innovation Programme Manager Email address [e-mail] Telephone number 0300 3036115