Research Ethics Officer

University of Kent; Canterbury; Hybrid; GBP 42,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

43 days leave

Excellent pension scheme

Healthcare plan

Job summary

University of Kent, in partnership with KMMS, is recruiting a Research Ethics Officer to manage administration around research ethics and integrity, supporting the REAG and researchers applying for ethics reviews. The role involves training delivery, coordinating REAG business, and ensuring efficient governance.

Hybrid working options are available with generous leave and pension provisions. The post requires clear communication of complex ethical issues and the ability to assimilate new

Qualifications

• Experience of acting as a source of expert advice and communicating complex or specialised information to colleagues with varying levels of knowledge or experience of the subject
• Appreciation of ethical issues in relation to research and the requirements of a process to review these issues
• An ability to rapidly assimilate new and complex information

Responsibilities

• Provide administrative support to the internal research ethics review process, developing and implementing ethics templates, procedures, policies, systems and practices
• Deliver training in university ethics and governance procedures, providing inductions for new research active staff, members of the REAG and the wider KMMS community
• Coordinate the business of the KMMS REAG, preparing agendas, distributing papers, recording accurate minutes

Skills

Expert advice on ethics in research

Communicating complex information

Rapid assimilation of new information

Job description

On the 1 August 2026, The University of Greenwich and the University of Kent formed a pioneering new multi-university group called London and South- East (LASE) University Group. Should you join us, you will be employed by LASE but will work as part of the University of Kent academic division, contributing to its distinct strengths, community and identity while also being part of a wider group that brings together the scale, resilience and shared ambition of both universities. Through LASE we aim to deliver outstanding education, impactful research, and meaningful regional and global impact.

Kent and Medway Medical School (KMMS) is an exciting collaboration between Canterbury Christ Church University and LASE which builds on their existing high-quality clinical teaching and research strengths. Our mission is to widen participation, train excellent doctors, and improve health in Kent and Medway.

Can you provide expert advice in ethical issues relating to research? If yes, then read on.

The Kent and Medway Medical School (KMMS) is seeking a Research Ethics Officer to be responsible for all aspects of administration associated with research ethics and research integrity procedures.

You will provide dedicated support to KMMS’ Research Ethics Advisory Group (REAG), facilitating the process via which researchers are required to apply for research ethics review for their research activity.

As a Research Ethics Officer you can expect to be involved in:

• Providing administrative support to the internal research ethics review process, developing and implementing ethics templates, procedures, policies, systems and practices
• Delivering training in university ethics and governance procedures, providing inductions for new research active staff, members of the REAG and the wider KMMS community
• Coordinating the business of the KMMS REAG, being accountable for efficient and effective functioning of the REAG including initiating and preparing agendas, distribution of REAG papers, recording and preparing accurate minutes

What will you bring to the role?

• Experience of acting as a source of expert advice and communicating complex or specialised information to colleagues with varying levels of knowledge or experience of the subject
• Appreciation of ethical issues in relation to research and the requirements of a process to review these issues
• An ability to rapidly assimilate new and complex information

What we can offer in return:

As a member of our team, you can expect a friendly, open and collaborative working environment and support in your development and wellbeing. You'll enjoy a range of great staff benefits including:

• Hybrid working options allowing a flexible blend of office and home working (to be agreed in line with business needs)
• 43 days' leave per year (personal leave, bank holidays and additional days allocated for the Christmas period, pro rata for part-time staff)
• Excellent pension scheme with generous employer contributions
• Corporate employee-funded healthcare plan, in partnership with Benenden Health

For more information about what you can look forward to if you join us, visit our dedicated webpage: Working at Kent

We are ambitious for our people, our communities and the region we serve – join us in making the world a better place. Visit our website for more on who we are: http://www.kent.ac.uk/about/

We particularly welcome applications from black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates as they are under-represented at this level in this area

*Occasionally we may need to close a vacancy before the published deadline due to a high number of applications being received, therefore we strongly advise you to submit your application as soon as possible. (All vacancies will be open for at least one week.)

PLEASE NOTE: We prioritise applications from current University of Kent redeployees. We will let you know if this post is to be filled by a redeployee as, in this instance, your application will unfortunately not be taken forward.

We know applicants may use AI tools to help prepare job applications. For guidance on how to use AI responsibly and effectively, see: Using AI in your job application

The University of Kent values diversity and equality at all levels.