Research Governance Coordinator

Cambridge University Hospitals; Cambridge; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

On-site leisure facilities

Staff parking subsidy

Job summary

An exciting opportunity has arisen to join Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust's R&D Governance Team, supporting the setup and governance of commercial and non-commercial research. The role offers hybrid working with a mix of in-office and remote work, 37.5 hours per week, and a Grade Band 6 fixed-term contract for 12 months (maternity cover).

The successful candidate will have graduate calibre and experience in a clinical research environment, with knowledge of ethical issues

Qualifications

• Graduate calibre with recent clinical research experience.
• Knowledge of research governance and NHS project setup.
• Familiarity with ethical issues and regulatory frameworks in research.

Responsibilities

• Provide a comprehensive managerial and administrative system for running research projects in compliance with governance frameworks.
• Review budgets and contracts for commercial and non-commercial research studies; ensure risk assessment before commencement.
• Monitor studies to ensure researchers' compliance with legislation, policies and guidance.

Skills

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Analytical thinking

Organisational skills

Education

Postgraduate research qualification

Job description

Main area Research and Development - Research Governance Grade Band 6 Contract Fixed term: 12 months (Maternity cover) Hours

• Full time
• Part time
• Home or remote working

37.5 hours per week (Role is hybrid with both in office and remote working. Full Time or Part Time / Flexible working hours may be considered.) Job ref 180-F-CVA1269

Employer Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Employer type NHS Site Addenbrookes Hospital-Division Corporate Town Cambridge Salary £39,959 - £48,117 p.a. pro rata Salary period Yearly Closing 25/10/2026 23:59 Interview date 03/11/2026

Job overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a highly motivated individual to join our R&D Governance Team supporting cutting edge research – research that builds on scientific discoveries, turning them into new ways to detect, diagnose, treat and ultimately prevent disease. We have a vibrant team environment and there is the option for hybrid working.

The Cambridge Biomedical campus is one of the largest biomedical campuses in Europe. Cambridge University Hospitals is a leading national centre for specialist treatment, one of only six academic health science centres in the UK and a university teaching hospital with an international reputation. Our site provides access to state-of-the‑art clinical research facilities to support experimental, innovative research including first-in-human trials.

The Trust’s R&D Department is responsible for the governance of all research studies taking place at Cambridge University Hospitals. You will be part of the Research Governance team supporting the setup of commercial and non-commercial research and facilitating their approval.

Ideally, you will be of Graduate calibre and have recent experience of working within a clinical research environment. Detailed knowledge and understanding of research governance, project set up in the NHS, including ethical issues and the regulatory framework for research is expected.

Main duties of the job

Provide a comprehensive managerial and administrative system for the running of research projects in compliance with the Research Governance Framework for Health and Social Care, the Human Tissue Act, the Data Protection Act and any other applicable European and government legislation and/or framework and/or guidance.
Review budgets and contracts for commercial and non-commercial research studies. Ensure that the projects are risk assessed before commencement. Comply with NIHR/DHSC metrics and KPIs for research studies set up and delivery.
Monitor studies taking place at the Trust, ensuring that researchers are fully compliant with legislation, policies and guidance.

Working for our organisation

Our Trust

Cambridge University Hospitals (CUH) NHS Foundation Trust comprises Addenbrooke’s Hospital and the Rosie Hospital in Cambridge. With over 13,000 staff and over 1100 beds the priorities of the Trust focus on a quality service which is all about people – patients, staff and partners. Recognised as providing ‘outstanding’ care to our patients and rated ‘Good’ overall by the Care Quality Commissioner, is testament to the skill and dedication of the people who work here. CUH’s values – Together - Safe, Kind, Excellent – are at the heart of patient care, defining the way all staff work and behave. The Trust provides accessible high-quality healthcare for the local people of Cambridge, together with specialist services, dealing with rare or complex conditions for a regional, national and international population.

CUH is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive community - a place where we can all be ourselves. We value our differences and fully advocate and support an inclusive working environment where every individual can fulfil their potential. We want to ensure our people are truly representative of all the communities that we serve. We welcome applications for all positions in the organisation irrespective of people’s age, disability, ethnicity, race, nationality, gender identity, sex, sexual orientation, religion or belief, marriage and civil partnership status, or pregnancy and maternity status or social economic background.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Please see the attached Applicant Information Pack (combined Job Description and Person Specification) for key duties and responsibilities.

Please note:- Internal applicants on permanent contracts can apply for this post as a secondment or fixed term contract. For secondments you must have the approval of your line manager before applying. If you are an internal applicant currently on a fixed term contract you are able to apply for this as a fixed term position.

This vacancy will close at midnight on 25th October 2026.

Interviews are due to be held on 3rd November 2026.

All appointments with a start date on or after 1 October 2026 will be subject to a 12‑week probationary period. This provides a structured and supportive period to help you settle into your role, with regular reviews and feedback.

Right to Work

As there is a 12‑week probationary period, successful candidates are expected to have the Right to Work for a period of at least 6 months from the proposed start date. Immigration and Right to Work status will be discussed with successful candidates at conditional offer. CUH will not offer sponsorship to candidates that have applied for a fee waiver.

Benefits to you

At Cambridge University Hospitals, we want to do all we can to support good working days. We offer development opportunities and a wide range of benefits, including on‑site leisure facilities, shopping concourse and day nurseries. Our good work programme currently includes providing reduced cost Stagecoach bus travel to and from Cambridge University Hospital site. Park and Ride bus journeys between Babraham Road and Trumpington sites are free, as is the route to and from Cambridge train station and our hospitals. We also subsidise the cost of parking on site for eligible staff.

On CUH campus, hot food is available 24/7 and at a reduced cost for colleagues. Recently we launched the first of our staff pod break spaces. Located in the Deakin Centre, we have a purpose‑created colleague‑only café, with free tea and coffee, a break space and private outside area for colleagues to rest, refuel and recharge. Just one of the ways we are working hard to support good working days at CUH.

CUH is committed to assisting employees in achieving a good work‑life balance irrespective of role or personal circumstances. Flexible arrangements may include, but are not limited to, part‑time working, job‑share, term‑time working and flexible start and finish times.

Please note if you would like to discuss the required hours of this role further, you should approach the contact given. In some cases, alternative working hours will be considered.

We welcome applications from the Armed Forces.

Additional Requirements

• The ability to understand and behave at all times, towards patients, visitors and colleagues according to the Trust values of Safe, Kind, Excellent.

Knowledge

• Knowledge and demonstrable understanding of research governance and the processes involved with gaining Trust approval and meeting KPIs
• Understanding of indemnity and sponsorship issues in research
• Knowledge of the framework for research including the UK Research Governance Policy Framework for Health and Social Care Research and NCVR
• Understanding of the ethical issues in clinical research
• Ability to use databases to record data
• Knowledge of commercial organisations and external agencies within research
• Knowledge of MHRA regulations for medicine and device trials
• An understanding of the monitoring process of research in the NHS
• Knowledge and understanding of research funding streams, award bodies and costing of research in the UK

Qualifications

• GCP Trained
• Post graduate research qualification

Experience

• Experience of working in a clinical research environment (NHS, University or industry)
• Experience of clincial research study set up
• Experience of working within an R&D clinical research setting
• Previous NHS experience

Skills

• Demonstrable communication, organisational and planning skills
• Excellent interpersonal skills including the ability to build working relationships with department colleagues, Trust staff at all levels, external organisations and stakeholders
• Ability to work under pressure balancing conflicting workloads
• Ability to work independently with initiative and maintain confidentiality
• Ability to negotiate, acting in a tactful and confident manner to achieve the desired results
• Ability to make well reasoned decisions using sound judgement in a complex setting
• Be proactive and work methodically and with accuracy