Research Assistant BCC

UDML College of Engineering, JECRC Founadation, Jaipur; Reading; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent healthcare institution in Reading seeks a motivated administrator for the Oncology research team. This role offers the chance to support clinical research activities without prior research experience. Responsibilities include providing administrative support, maintaining records, and liaison with staff and patients. Ideal candidates should possess at least GCSE qualifications along with NVQ Level 3 or equivalent skills. The institution promotes a work-life balance and provides generous leave, alongside an NHS pension scheme.

Benefits

Flexible working opportunities

Annual leave – 27 days for new starters, increasing with service

NHS pension scheme

Employee Assistance Programme

Cycle-to‑work scheme

Qualifications

• Previous experience working in a healthcare setting.
• Proven experience working within a team.

Responsibilities

• Provide day‑to‑day administrative and clerical support to the research team.
• Maintain accurate study files and records.
• Schedule meetings and manage diaries.
• Support study start‑up and maintenance.
• Liaise courteously with staff, patients and external partners.

Skills

Excellent organisational skills

Ability to prioritise and manage own workload

Excellent written and verbal communication skills

Ability to work on own initiative

Attention to detail

Education

GCSE level or equivalent with passes at grade C or above

NVQ Level 3 or equivalent knowledge

Job description

Job Overview

Join our friendly and proactive Oncology research Team within the Berkshire Cancer Centre at the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust. We are looking for a highly organised and motivated administrator who enjoys supporting busy teams and ensuring research activity runs smoothly day to day. This role is ideal for someone who thrives in an administrative or coordination role within a healthcare setting – it does not require previous research or academic experience.

Key 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 filing documents, entering data, and communicating 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.

Essential Qualifications

• GCSE level or equivalent with passes at grade C or above.
• NVQ Level 3 or equivalent knowledge and skills obtained through alternative study, employment or voluntary work.
• Previous experience working in a healthcare setting.
• Proven experience working within a team.

Desirable Qualifications

• RSA Typing Level 2 – 3.
• Degree level education.
• Good Clinical Practice and EU Directive training.
• Previous experience of administration or clerical work.
• Working knowledge of NHS information systems.
• Experience of clinical audit.

Essential Skills

• Excellent organisational skills.
• Ability to prioritise and manage own workload.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including a courteous telephone manner.
• Ability to work on own initiative.
• Flexibility to meet service needs.
• Clear understanding of confidentiality issues – knowledge of Caldicott and GDPR/Data Protection Act.
• Attention to detail.

Desirable Skills

• Knowledge of NHS administrative systems.
• Awareness of Clinical and Research Governance.

Benefits

• Flexible working opportunities and strong emphasis on work‑life balance.
• Annual leave – 27 days for new starters, 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.
• Full educational library services.
• Cycle‑to‑work scheme, lockable storage for cycles.
• Bus and rail links.
• Health service discounts at many brands.

How to Apply

Apply online through NHS Jobs. The Trust will process applications via its third‑party recruitment system, and you will not receive progress updates on the NHS Jobs site. For sponsorship information, refer to the Trust’s official guidance.