Research Assistant BCC

Royal Berkshire Nhs Foundation Trust; Reading; On-site; GBP 22,000 - 28,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare organization in Reading seeks an administrator to provide essential support for research operations. The ideal candidate will have strong administrative skills, excellent communication abilities, and a commitment to NHS research delivery. Key duties include maintaining study files, scheduling meetings, and liaising with staff. This role does not involve conducting independent research, making it suitable for those focused on supporting research activities.

Benefits

Flexible working opportunities

NHS pension scheme

Generous leave allowances

Employee Assistance Programme

Health Service Discounts

Qualifications

• Strong administrative experience in a healthcare, university, or office setting.
• Keen to support NHS research delivery.
• Previous experience in a healthcare environment.

Responsibilities

• Provide day-to-day administrative and clerical support.
• Maintain accurate study files and records.
• Liaise with staff and external research partners.

Skills

Administrative experience

Good communication skills

IT skills (Microsoft Office, databases)

Ability to work accurately and methodically

Teamwork experience

Education

GCSE level or equivalent

NVQ Level 3 or equivalent

Job description

At the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust we put our patients at the heart of every element of health and care that we provide. The Trust works together as a community to deliver its vision which is "Working together to provide outstanding care for our community".

We are Compassionate in our thoughts, words and actions. We are Aspirational and have a true desire to be dynamic and to innovate. We are Resourceful and responsible in the way we work and live. We are Excellent in our development, fairness and sharing best practice.

Responsibilities

• Provide day-to-day administrative and clerical support to the research team.
• Maintain accurate study files and records, including correspondence, meeting notes, and data logs.
• Schedule meetings, take minutes, manage diaries, and handle general correspondence.
• Support study start-up and ongoing maintenance by assisting with document filing, data entry, and communication with clinical areas.
• Organise supplies, stationery, and stock control for research studies.
• Liaise courteously with staff, patients, and external research partners, ensuring confidentiality and professionalism.
• Assist in maintaining finance records, raising purchase orders, and processing invoices where required.
• Support audit and compliance activity, ensuring documentation meets regulatory standards.

This is primarily an administrative role supporting research operations. While you will gain valuable exposure to clinical research, the post is not intended for those seeking to conduct independent research or pursue a PhD.

Qualifications

• Has strong administrative experience, ideally in a healthcare, university, or office environment.
• Enjoys coordinating busy workloads and communicating with a wide range of people.
• Can work accurately and methodically, following set procedures.
• Has good IT skills (Microsoft Office, databases).
• Is keen to support NHS research delivery but not necessarily seeking an academic research career.
• Educated to GCSE level or equivalent with passes at grade C or above.
• NVQ Level 3 or equivalent knowledge and skills gained through any combination of alternative study, employment or voluntary work (2) Willing to undertake further education.
• Previous experience of working in a healthcare setting.
• Proven experience of working within a team.

Desirable criteria

• RSA Typing Level 2 - 3.
• Educated to Degree level.
• Good Clinical Practice and EU Directive Training.
• Previous experience of administration or clerical work.
• Working knowledge of NHS information systems.
• Experience of clinical audit, Excellent organisation skills.
• Proven ability to prioritise and manage own workload.
• Excellent communication skills - both written and verbal, including courteous telephone manner.
• Proven ability to work on own initiative.
• Able to work flexibly to meet service needs.
• Clear understanding of confidentiality issues - knowledge of Caldicott and GDPR / Data Protection Act requirement.
• Attention to details.
• Knowledge of NHS administrative systems.
• Awareness of Clinical and Research Governance.
• Excellent timekeeping and a flexible approach to work. Able to participate with a rotating shift pattern.
• Ability to produce timely accurate and useful information tailored to needs of patients.
• Ability to work across Trust and Network sites as required to deliver the demands of the service.

Staff Benefits

• Flexible working opportunities and a strong emphasis on your work, life balance.
• Annual leave - 27 days for new starters, plus bank holidays. Increasing to 29 days after 5 years and 33 days after 10 years NHS service. Pro rata for part time staff.
• NHS pension scheme.
• Employee Assistance Programme.
• Money Advice Service.
• Generous maternity, paternity and adoption leave for eligible staff.
• On-site nursery (based at RBH).
• Full educational library services.
• Cycle to work scheme, lockable storage for cycles.
• Bus to work scheme.
• Excellent rail and bus links.
• A huge range of Health Service Discounts at hundreds of big brands from holidays to gadgets and restaurants to retail.