Research and Innovation Governance Officer

NHS; Slough; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 49,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading health organization in Slough seeks a Research and Innovation Governance Officer to coordinate governance approval processes and ensure compliance with regulations in clinical studies. The ideal candidate will have significant clinical research experience and a strong understanding of national legislation. This role offers a salary range of £40,617 to £48,778, reflecting competitive compensation for an essential position in the healthcare sector.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in a clinical research setting.
• Experience with audit and monitoring compliant with ICH-GCP.
• Good Clinical Practice Certificate required.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate the R&I governance approval process.
• Manage governance approval for multiple research projects.
• Support audit and external regulatory inspections.

Skills

Specialist knowledge of research activity and governance

Understanding of UK Policy Framework for Health and Social Care Research

IT skills (MS Office applications)

Education

Degree level or equivalent professional experience in a research environment

Tools

EDGE research management platform

Job description

Research and Innovation Governance Officer

An exciting opportunity has arisen within our R&I Team for a research professional who has experience in clinical study governance and expertise within the regulatory environment surrounding clinical studies.

Main duties of the job

The R&I Governance Officer coordinates the R&I governance approval process, ensures correct documents are ready for Trust approval, and maintains up-to-date records across systems such as EDGE, EPIC, and other databases.

Ensures appropriate governance arrangements are maintained in accordance with national and international legislation and guidance (e.g., UK Policy Framework for Health and Social Care Research, ICH‑GCP). Supports audit and monitoring processes, collates and presents internal and external reports, and promotes safe delivery of R&I.

About us

Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust is an inclusive and disability confident employer, offering professional development opportunities across all staff categories.

We value a healthy work-life balance and support flexible working arrangements.

Job responsibilities

• Act as an expert resource to ensure all study set-up meets UK and EU legal requirements.
• Ensure all studies have required documentation and arrangements before R&I approval.
• Manage governance approval for multiple research projects, coordinating with the research delivery team and Research Operations Manager.
• Oversee an ICH‑GCP training register and Research‑CVs for all staff.
• Develop and update Trust policies and SOPs in line with national legislation and regulatory authorisations.
• Implement research SOPs across the Trust with the SOP Controller.
• Keep staff informed of regulatory changes affecting local research processes.
• Collaborate with R&I governance staff on contract negotiations and study protocol amendments.
• Support audit and external regulatory inspections, responding to findings and implementing action plans.
• Assist Chief Investigators with ethical permissions and submissions (IRAS/MHRA, local ethics, HRA).
• Manage invoicing and finance support for studies, ensuring accurate records.
• Negotiate costing information and develop finance workflows within EDGE.
• Resolve study income queries and liaise with finance.
• Contribute to development and validation of electronic data capture platforms in the R&I department.
• Support development of studies and grant applications.
• Facilitate staff training opportunities in partnership with Research Training lead.
• Archive study documentation according to Trial Agreement and ICH‑GCP / ISO 14155 standards.
• Maintain R&I website and intranet content.
• Assist in marketing materials to promote research and innovation.
• Promote research to stakeholders through events and training.
• Support Patient, Public, Involvement and Engagement activities.

Qualifications

• Degree level or equivalent professional experience in a research environment.
• Significant experience working in a clinical research setting.
• Experience in audit and monitoring of research studies in compliance with ICH‑GCP.
• Good Clinical Practice Certificate.

Experience

• Experience working within the NHS.
• At least 2 years’ experience of the Health Research Authority process for research approval in the NHS.
• Experience using the EDGE research management platform.
• Experience submitting external grant applications.
• Awareness of Trust Sponsorship processes.

Skill and Knowledge

• Highly developed, specialist knowledge of research activity and governance.
• Understanding of UK Policy Framework for Health and Social Care Research and current NHS issues.
• Knowledge of NIHR High Level objectives and priorities.
• IT skills, particularly in MS Office applications.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post requires a Disclosure and Barring Service check in line with the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975.

£40,617 to £48,778 a year (incl. HCAS)