Research, Ethics, Governance and Integrity Manager - Research Strategy and Services - 42186 - G[...]

University of Birmingham; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 47,000 - 57,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading educational institution in Birmingham seeks a Research Ethics, Governance & Integrity Manager. The role involves managing ethics reviews, advising researchers, and ensuring compliance with clinical trial regulations. Candidates should have relevant experience in ethics, governance, or clinical trial management, alongside a degree-level education. The position offers a competitive salary, benefits, and opportunities for professional development.

Benefits

40 days paid holiday

Occupational sick pay

Pension scheme

Flexible working arrangements

Qualifications

• Experience in a research ethics and/or governance role or extensive clinical trial management experience.
• Understanding of regulatory environments for UK and international research.
• Ability to provide advice and adapt communication to varied audiences.

Responsibilities

• Manage the review and approval process for research ethics reviews.
• Provide expert advice to the research community.
• Contribute to the oversight of clinical trials.

Skills

Experience in research ethics or governance

Excellent interpersonal skills

Strong IT skills

Attention to detail

Project management ability

Education

Degree level education

Tools

MS Office

Job description

Position Details

Research Strategy and Services
Location: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK

Full time starting salary is normally in the range £47,389 to £56,535 with potential progression once in post to £63,606
Grade: 8
Full Time, Permanent
Closing date: 14th October 2025

Our offer to you

People are at the heart of what we are and do. The University of Birmingham is proud to be part of the City of Birmingham and the wider region for over 100 years, and to be recognised as a leading global university. We want to attract talented people from across the city and beyond, support them to succeed, and celebrate their success.

We are committed to helping staff develop through the Birmingham Professional programme, which provides all professional services staff with development opportunities and encouragement to reach their full potential. With almost 5,000 professional services jobs in Edgbaston and on our campus in Dubai, there are opportunities to develop your career at the University.

We believe diversity is a strength that underpins innovation. We welcome people from all backgrounds and are committed to fostering an inclusive environment where diversity is at the heart of who and what we are, and how we work.

We offer flexible working arrangements where possible, depending on the role. You will receive a generous benefits package including 40 days paid holiday a year, one paid day a year for volunteering, occupational sick pay, and a pension scheme. We also have three high quality subsidised day nurseries.

The University is located in leafy Edgbaston with excellent transport links to the campus. On campus there is a state-of-the-art sports centre, shops, places to eat and drink, an art gallery, museum and botanical gardens.

Find out more about the benefits of working for the University of Birmingham.

Background

Research Strategy & Services Division (RSSD) provides a cohesive, expert research support ecosystem. The division supports all aspects of research, innovation and business engagement across the University, including the Research Ethics, Governance & Integrity (REGI) team which ensures high standards of integrity, ethics and regulatory compliance.

Role Summary

The University sponsors one of the largest non-commercial clinical trials portfolios in the UK, including international trials. The Research Ethics, Governance & Integrity Manager (REGIM) leads the REGI team in RSSD, reporting to the Head of Research Governance and Integrity. Responsibilities include maintaining and improving processes for ethics and governance applications, obtaining ethics approval and insurance, and ongoing oversight through the life of a project, including reporting and publication. The post holder will ensure data in ethics and governance databases are robust and compliant with University requirements, and will work across Colleges to develop and implement guidance, policies and procedures to ensure participant safety and data integrity. They will provide expert leadership for ethics and sponsorship reviews and support team members as a senior lead. The role involves engagement with senior staff to establish systems for assurance of good ethics and governance standards, attendance at senior committees as needed, and a diverse workload including support for cutting-edge research.

Main Duties

• Manage the review and approval process for University research ethics reviews and Sponsorship applications under UK policy and Clinical Trials Regulations.
• Manage amendments and reporting for ethically approved and sponsored projects to ensure compliance with guidelines and legislation.
• Provide expert advice, guidance and training to the UoB research community; prepare and update content for REGI website and contribute to the e-pathway tool.
• Liaise with Colleges/Schools to ensure all ethics and regulatory requirements are met for research undertaken by staff and students.
• Identify and monitor high-risk areas, review policy framework, and implement changes to minimise risk to the University.
• Manage ethics and governance issues and track high-risk activities; resolve issues with project teams and stakeholders.
• Contribute to the oversight of clinical trials with CTUs, Academic Research Teams and the Clinical Research Compliance Team.
• Lead internal audits and regulatory inspections, and guide preparation and responses to inspections and recommendations.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of ethics and governance guidelines and develop policies to ensure compliance with UK and international guidance/legislation.
• Provide coaching and development to team members; promote teamwork and collaboration with other posts in the team.
• Support a positive culture of research integrity and manage/report potential conduct issues.
• Any other duties commensurate with the grade.

Required Knowledge, Skills, Qualifications, Experience

• Experience in a research ethics and/or governance role (NHS, academic, pharmaceutical, or similar) or extensive clinical trial management experience.
• Degree level education (or equivalent) with engagement in research processes.
• Understanding of regulatory and policy environments for UK and international research, including clinical trial regulation and Human Tissue Act.
• Authoritative knowledge of relevant work practices, processes and procedures; policy development and implementation experience.
• Experience with NHS research governance processes.
• Ability to meet targets and deadlines and to encourage others to do the same.
• Understanding of web and social media use for research.
• Excellent interpersonal skills for interaction with diverse stakeholders.
• Ability to provide advice to staff at all levels and adapt communication to the audience.
• Strong organisational skills and project management ability.
• Attention to detail and ability to interpret and apply detailed requirements.
• High standard of English with the ability to critique and redraft material effectively.
• Strong IT skills, including data manipulation and MS Office for communication, analysis and project management.
• Experience with committee organisation and minute taking for high-level meetings.
• Absolute discretion and ability to maintain confidentiality.

Role context

Roles at this level provide authoritative professional advice and may lead diverse teams. You will use professional skills to resolve ambiguous problems, with broad discretion to influence policy and direction within the University.

Core competencies / transferable skills

These include Planning and Organising, Problem Solving and Decision Making, Organisational Understanding, Relationships and Communication. You will develop and apply core competencies and take ownership of tasks, with flexibility to support the department and University.

Informal enquiries

Becky Case, email: [e-mail]

View our staff values and behaviours

We believe in diversity and inclusion. We are committed to equality and sustainability, and we are proud of accreditations such as Athena SWAN, Race Equality Charter and Disability Confident. More about our work to create a fairer university is available on our website.