Research Governance Facilitator

Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Foundation Trust; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 39,000; Part time

Job summary

The Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a Research Governance Facilitator to provide expert governance support, ensuring CI/REC/MHRA compliance and effective project management. You will coordinate EDGE records, facilitate access, and support researchers across the lifecycle with policy interpretation and training where needed.

Ideal candidates will bring NHS or HE/ research experience, strong attention to detail, and excellent communication skills.

Qualifications

• Educated to degree level in health, science, research administration or a related field.
• Evidence of commitment to continuous personal and professional development.
• Up to date training in Good Clinical Practice (GCP).
• Relevant qualification in Quality Assurance/Auditing.

Responsibilities

• Advising researchers on IRAS, HRA, REC and MHRA requirements.
• Reviewing complex study documentation.
• Interpreting legislation, policy and governance requirements.
• Identifying governance risks, omissions or inconsistencies.
• Coordinating amendments and confirming local implementation requirements.
• Coordinating several studies at different stages simultaneously.
• Maps and progresses internal approval pathways.
• Liaises with investigators, support departments, universities, commercial organisations and other NHS organisations.
• Maintaining EDGE records; training staff; acting as lead EDGE administrator.

Skills

Attention to detail

IT literacy

Training delivery

Education

Degree in health or related field

Commitment to professional development

GCP training

QA/Auditing qualification

Tools

Excel

Job description

Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Research Governance Facilitator

The closing date is 11 November 2026

**banding subject to agenda for change evaluation** An exciting opportunity has arisen to join the Research Department at The Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Foundation Trust as a Research Governance Facilitator. Working closely with researchers, clinical teams and external partners, you will provide specialist advice on research governance and regulatory requirements. You will coordinate study approvals and amendments, and contribute to the audit and monitoring of research studies. You will also play a key role in maintaining high-quality information within the Trust's EDGE research management system and support colleagues to use the system effectively. We are looking for an organised and proactive individual with experience of working in an NHS, higher education or research environment. You will need excellent communication and analytical skills, strong attention to detail, and the ability to interpret complex governance and regulatory requirements. This is a varied role offering the opportunity to support high quality research and contribute to improvements in patient care. Under current Home Office Immigration Rules, this role does not meet the UK Visas and Immigration criteria and the position is not therefore eligible for sponsorship. Applications from candidates that require skilled worker sponsorship will NOT be shortlisted.

Main duties of the job

To provide a comprehensive, uniform, efficient and effective governance service to the research process at RJAH by:Providing specialist, robust credible advice to researchers at RJAH to ensure applications for R&D Management approval are fully compliant with the legislation (DH UK Policy Framework for Health and Social Care, Data Protection Act, GDPR, Human Tissue Act and the EU Clinical Trials Directive).Providing effective project management to ensure the Capacity and Capability assessments progress in a timely manner and according to NIHR High Level Objectives Act as the lead contact and information point within RJAH for researchers in obtaining Research Passports and Letters of Access, and work with colleagues in HR to ensure the contracts are in place.Assist the Research Manager in continuously improving the governance and quality management processes for research at the Trust, by sharing information about changes in legislation and regulatory procedures.Undertaking research governance audits of research projects in which the Trust is involved, in line with the Trust's Research Audit Standard Operating Procedures.Manage all EDGE-related tasks for the Trust. Act as Lead EDGE Account Administrator and Super User. Train staff in EDGE use.The post-holder should be able to work autonomously within the boundaries of research policies and procedures whilst deciding when to refer to the Research Manager.

About us

The Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic NHS Trust (RJAH)is one of the leading orthopaedic hospitals in the country, with some of the highest levels of staff and patient satisfaction, as well as a strong reputation for research and innovation.

In the National Staff Survey, 69% of our staff would recommend the Trust as a place to work and 91% would recommend the hospital to a friend or relative for treatment.

Joining RJAH is more than just a job - we want our people to have the best opportunities to thrive in their role.We have a range of fantastic staff benefits on offer to everyone who joins RJAH and you'll have access to outstanding professional development opportunities and state-of-the-art facilities.

RJAH has strong links with a range of universities including Staffordshire, Keele, Glyndwr, Chester and Birmingham.The hospital is located on a site outside Oswestry in Oswestry, just off the A5. The nearest train station is in Gobowen, approximately two miles from the hospital. The station is part of the Chester to Birmingham line.We are based in North Shropshire, close to the border with North and Mid Wales. It is one of the most attractive parts of the country, with a rich historic culture and excellent transport links. It offers outstanding opportunities for anyone who enjoys an outdoor lifestyle or is looking to raise a family.

Job responsibilities

The Research Governance Facilitator provides specialist research governance support to ensure that research hosted or sponsored by the Trust is established, managed and monitored in accordance with applicable legislation, national policy, regulatory requirements and Trust procedures. The postholder supports researchers throughout the research lifecycle, maintains accurate research management information and contributes to the continuous improvement of research governance and quality assurance systems. The postholder is responsible for: Advising researchers on IRAS, HRA, REC and MHRA requirements. Reviewing complex study documentation. Interpreting legislation, policy and governance requirements. Identifying governance risks, omissions or inconsistencies. Supporting timely capacity and capability assessments. Coordinating amendments and confirming local implementation requirements. Coordinating several studies at different stages simultaneously. Maps and progresses internal approval pathways. Liaises with investigators, support departments, universities, commercial organisations and other NHS organisations. Ensures appropriate agreements and access arrangements are in place. Monitors deadlines and escalates emerging issues. Risk‑assessing studies to determine monitoring requirements. Conducting governance audits. Monitoring Trust-sponsored and hosted research. Reporting findings clearly and objectively. Agreeing corrective and preventive actions with study teams. Supporting the development and review of policies, procedures and SOPs. Managing EDGE records throughout the study lifecycle. Ensuring data quality, completeness and accuracy. Producing reports for internal and external requirements. Monitoring performance against NIHR and regional objectives. Identifying delays, data‑quality concerns and potential performance risks. Administering accounts and developing system processes. Research passports, honorary research arrangements and letters of access. Checking documentation and determining appropriate access requirements. Working with HR, universities and study teams. Maintaining accurate records and monitoring progress. Providing clear specialist advice to people with different levels of research knowledge. Managing sensitive or challenging governance discussions. Negotiating where information or viewpoints conflict. Delivering EDGE or governance training. Developing guidance and training resources. Building effective internal and external working relationships. The postholder works autonomously within legislation, national guidance, Trust policies and agreed procedures, applying judgement to complex or incomplete information. They prioritise competing demands, determine the appropriate course of action and recognise when matters require escalation to the Research Manager.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Educated to degree level in health, science, research administration or a related field or equivalent, supplemented by specialist research-governance experience.
• Evidence of commitment to continuous personal and professional development
• Up to date training in Good Clinical Practice (GCP)
• Relevant qualification in Quality Assurance/Auditing

Experience

• Experience of working in an NHS or Higher Education research environment
• Experience of applying for research approvals

Skills and Competencies

• Accuracy and attention to detail
• Excellent keyboard skills and advanced use of IT packages used to manipulate data e.g. competent in the use of Excel
• Experience of training/organising training activities

Experience

• Experience of working to Standard Operating Procedures
• Experience of reviewing national template contracts for research
• Experience of handling research approvals
• Experience of dealing with enquiries, both face to face and by telephone
• Experience and evidence of managing administrative projects and analysing, interpreting and presenting information
• Experience of monitoring / carrying out quality assurance audits
• Experience of creating Standard Operating Procedures

Skills and Competencies

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to liaise with staff at a range of levels.
• Ability to work calmly and effectively under pressure
• Self-motivated, with ability to work on own initiative
• An ability to handle difficult situations in a tactful manner.
• Excellent organisational and planning skills including prioritising own workload to meet deadlines without direct management
• Ability to extract essential information from complex documentation
• Ability to collate and compile complex information in written reports
• Understanding when to seek assistance

Knowledge (including specialist or technical knowledge required)

• A working knowledge of the DH UK Policy Framework for Health and Social Care, Data Protection Act, GDPR, Human Tissue Act and the EU Clinical Trials Directive
• A working knowledge of NHS Research Ethics, HRA, MHRA and R&D management approval processes
• Knowledge of HR Issues relating to Research and Research Passports

Personal Qualities & Trust Values

• To exemplify the Trust Values: Professional, Excellence, Respect, Friendly, Inclusive, Caring
• Punctual and flexible across hours of work when required

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Employer name

Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Address

The Robert Jones & Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital

£32,073 to £39,043 a yearper annum pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

224-PA20261003937

Job locations

The Robert Jones & Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital