Research Development and Innovation Project Support Officer

Merseywestlancs; Knowsley; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 31,000; Full time

Job summary

Mersey West Lancashire NHS Trust is seeking a Research Development and Innovation Project Support Officer to join the Research Team at Whiston Hospital in Prescot. You will handle day-to-day administration of research studies to enable researchers and teams to fulfill their responsibilities.

The role involves providing high-quality project and administrative support to the Research Management Team, coordinating approvals, meetings and reports while ensuring data accuracy and compliance with NHS

Qualifications

• Microsoft Office – Excel, Word and Teams.
• Multidisciplinary working experience.
• Good time management and organisation.

Responsibilities

• Act as a point of contact for queries relating to research studies within the Trust.
• Supervise the research administrative service and report issues to RDI Manager.
• Support recruitment of patients into research studies.
• Prepare study documents for ethical and trust approvals.
• Coordinate meetings and plan opening of studies.
• Maintain data quality and ensure accurate datasets for analysis.
• Coordinate study logs and data uploads on EDGE/REDA systems.

Skills

Microsoft Office

Time management

Interpersonal skills

Organised

Education

GCSE/NVQ3 or equivalent

Job description

We want talented and enthusiastic people from all backgrounds to join #TeamMWL, with us you can learn, grow and develop yourself and your career, realising your true ambitions and aspirations.

Whatever you’re looking for in your career, you’ll find it here at MWL.

Research Development and Innovation Project Support Officer

NHS AfC: Band 4

Main area Research Development and Innovation Grade NHS AfC: Band 4 Contract Permanent Hours Full time - 37.5 hours per week Job ref 409-8156659

Site Whiston Hospital Town Prescot Salary £28,392 - £31,157 Per Annum Salary period Yearly Closing 09/09/2026 23:59 Interview date 23/09/2026

After applying via NHS Jobs, your submitted application will be imported into our preferred Third-party recruitment system. All subsequent information regarding your application will be generated from apps.trac.jobs. You will not be able to track the progress of your application or receive messages through the NHS Jobs website, and furthermore, as an employer, we will not be able to respond to any e-mails sent to us via the NHS Jobs website. By applying for this post you are agreeing to "name of trust" transferring the information contained in this application to its preferred applicant management system. If you are appointed to a post information will also be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Records system.

Job overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Research Development and Innovation Project Support Officer to join our Research Team!

Under minimal supervision the Research Support Officer is responsible for the effective and efficient day to day administration of research studies to enable the researcher and study team to fulfil their responsibilities.

Main duties of the job

The Research Support Officer will also provide a comprehensive and high-quality project and administrative support to the Research Management Team, in the promotion, delivery and reporting of Research studies.

Provide an effective point of contact for enquiries and communication relating to research studies.

Working for our organisation

Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust serves a population of over 600,000 with a workforce of over 10,500 dedicated and skilled staff across 21 sites.

Our services:

Acute Care

Providing emergency and maternity services at Whiston, Southport and Ormskirk hospitals, and medical and surgical specialties across all our sites.

Primary Care

Providing primary care services at Marshalls Cross Medical Centre situated in St Helens Hospital.

Community Services

Providing adult community services for St Helens and a wheelchair service in Chorley, South Ribble, and West Lancashire. Our inpatient unit at Newton Community Hospital is where patients needing acute hospital beds can continue rehabilitation. We also provide urgent care at our Urgent Treatment Centre located in St Helens town centre.

Specialist Regional Services

We provide the Mersey Regional Burns & Plastic Surgery Unit at Whiston Hospital and the Spinal Injuries Unit at Southport Hospital to more than 4 million people across the whole of Merseyside, West Lancashire, Cheshire, Isle of Man and North Wales.

Achievements:

• Rated Outstanding by CQC Inspection August 2018
• Top 100 places to work in the NHS (NHS Employers & Health Service Journal)
• National Preceptorship Accreditation (2023) for Nursing & AHP Preceptorship Programme.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• Act as a point of contact for all queries relating to research studies within the Trust internal personnel and external organisations, resolving most queries independently or referring on to the most appropriate member of staff as appropriate.
• Supervise the research administrative service using own initiative, reporting any problems to the RDI Co-ordinator and/or RDI Manager as appropriate.
• Support the recruitment process for patients into research studies.
• Assist the Research teams in preparing study documents for ethical and trust approval.
• Co-ordinate and attend meetings, to support, and help to coordinate, the planning of the official opening of a study.
• Process all necessary internal and external approvals for research studies to be conducted within the Trust within nationally set timelines.
• Prepare and coordinate any local RDI reviews and obtain necessary internal approvals.
• Responsible for quality control, checking validity and completeness of the data to provide accurate data sets for statistical analysis.
• Co-ordinate appointments/meeting and provide reports when required.
• Collection and interpretation of patient information from notes to complete reports.
• Completing and sending Forms in a timely fashion to relevant Clinical Trials Units.
• Take action to obtain or correct missing or contradictory data while maintaining confidentiality.
• Create study logs and ensure data uploaded one on a regular basis.
• Ensure adequate study information supplied when required.
• Manage study amendments and update files.
• Ensure that study information is recorded appropriately on EDGE/REDA and other study information record systems, providing updates regarding study changes.
• Attend regular Research team meetings and provide regular updates and progress reports, taking notes/minutes when required.
• Ensure research protocols are adhered to, that all healthcare professionals involved in research comply with the NHS Research Governance Framework and that Good Clinical Practice (GCP) is implemented.
• Prioritise and manage data queries to resolution in a timely fashion
• Liaison with the Research team to clarify discrepancies and establish correct data collection.
• Monitor and maintain study databases and other records.
• Supervise the tracking of patients to predict when next data collection is required.
• Ensure that supplies are available with the correct specimen containers /bottles in preparation for future appointments.
• Co-ordinate the processes required for interventional studies.
• To assist in the maintenance of outcome monitoring databases and operational processes, which enable the recording of patient recruitment and completion of studies on behalf of the Research Management Team.
• Assist the RDI Manager in producing annual reports, annual plans and other departmental documents and presentations as required.
• General clerical and office duties including the maintenance of efficient filing systems.
• Liase with Clinical Trials Units, Clinical Research Associates and other non-trust staff.
• Undertake any other duties deemed relevant to the post and grade.
• Provide advice, guidance and assistance in the development of study specific patient tracking and data collection tools for use by the research team
• Coordinate the purchase of non-stock items for research studies
• Maintain stock control for both the department and research teams, including using the SBS system to re-order stock as required.

Person specification

Qualifications

• Educated to GCSE standard/NVQ3 or equivalent experience
• NVQ/other relevant IT qualification

Knowledge & Experience

• Microsoft Office – Excel, Word and Teams
• Multidisciplinary working
• Previous experience in administration /Project work including minute taking
• Working knowledge and experience of the EU Clinical Trials Directive and GCP
• Working knowledge and experience of the UK Policy Framework for Health and Social Care
• Knowledge of the National Institute for Health Research
• Knowledge of the Health Research Authority and the Integrated Research Application System (IRAS)
• Work with frequent interruptions
• Good time management and organisation skills
• Uses own and others time effectively
• Keep work systems up to date, neat and tidy
• Plans workload and tasks in a systematic way, ensure all tasks / activities are completed in a timely manner
• Demonstrable experience of working within a research environment
• Knowledge of Local Clinical Research Networks
• Experience of supervising staff

Skills

• Good interpersonal skills
• Ability to liaise with other stakeholders
• Highly organised
• Ability to work under pressure/deadlines
• Initiative
• Reliable
• Good time-keeper
• Flexible in approach to work
• Meticulous attention to detail
• Organised –ability to deliver and maintain daily routine, work in a planned and structured way.
• Uses own and others time effectively
• Behave in a professional and courteous manner at all times.
• Plans workload and tasks in a systematic way, ensure all tasks Use systems and Tools to ensure records and audit trails are clear and up to date. / activities are completed in a timely manner
• Recognise own Limitations and seek advice when required ( team approach)
• Has a positive attitude to change management

Other

• Working knowledge of Microsoft office with keyboard skills
• There is a requirement for concentration where the work pattern is unpredictable. The majority of the tasks within the role require full attention due to the level of detail; although as first point of contact there will be numerous interruptions thought out the day which may require a change in task.
• Exposure to distressing or emotional circumstances is rare
• Ensure that other team members know how process & systems work
• Keep work systems up to date, neat and tidy

Thank you for considering an application to work for Mersey West Lancashire NHS Trust. MWL is an exciting and forward-thinking NHS Trust who are one of the best places to work for in England.

Given sometimes we receive a high volume of applications to work for us, please be aware, that we may close a vacancy earlier than stated should a sufficient number of applications be received from which a shortlist can be confirmed. Therefore, you are advised to apply at your earliest convenience.