Study Support Service Officer | University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust

University Hospitals of Leicester; England; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent NHS Trust in England is seeking a Study Support Service Officer to ensure effective operational support for study delivery. The ideal candidate will manage data systems, coordinate with stakeholders, and contribute to regional health initiatives. A key aspect of this role is ensuring compliance with national standards while fostering the smooth operation of services. Apply before December 9, 2025.

Qualifications

• Ability to engage with regional partners effectively.
• Strong communication skills for diverse audiences.
• Experience managing data and systems for operations.

Responsibilities

• Support the delivery of services as per Standard Operating Procedures.
• Manage data and information systems central to the Study Support Service.
• Track and assess study progress for stakeholders.

Job description

The Study Support Service serves as the cornerstone of the Research Delivery Network (RDN), facilitating the effective delivery of studies throughout the system while enhancing strategic capacity and capability.

The Officer plays a crucial role in underpinning the success of the Study Support Service, providing essential support and enabling the smooth operation of services. Through coordination and expertise, the Officer contributes significantly to the overarching goals of the Research Delivery Network.

The Study Support Service Officer is responsible for supporting the delivery of services following relevant Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). This involves engaging with multiple partners across the region by supporting the coordination of communities and events. Additionally, the Officer maintains systems for costing and attribution of studies, ensuring adept support for regional organisations with their data requirements.

Strategy

The new strategy, developed with the support and feedback of colleagues, patients, and partners, guides efforts for the next seven years (2023‑2030).

• high‑quality care for all
• being a great place to work
• partnerships for impact
• research and education excellence

Health equality is embedded in all work, taking active steps to reduce avoidable differences in healthcare. Working in partnership with communities.

• we are compassionate
• we are proud
• we are inclusive
• we are one team

About the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust

The University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust is at the forefront of health and social care research delivery in the East Midlands, working with partner organisations across Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Rutland, Northamptonshire and Nottinghamshire. Hosted by the Trust with offices in Leicester and Nottingham, the model incorporates a number of roles to enable clinical research delivery performance and ensure research is championed at every level of health and care.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Act as a liaison between stakeholders to ensure effective communication and alignment of objectives

Information & Administration

• Manage data and information systems central to operation of the Study Support Service
• Understand and interpret complex information and data to make recommendations on decisions and plans relating to the Study Support Service, communicating and presenting to a variety of audiences
• Facilitate implementation of Information Governance best practice within systems supporting operation of the Study Support Service
• Ensure data integrity within relevant RDN systems, identifying potential concerns and patterns, advising RDN customers and partners in resolving issues
• Continue to ensure high quality and integrity of data within portfolio management systems
• Support digital innovations including data visualisation tools/dashboards and digital recruitment services (e.g., Be Part of Research and Join Dementia Research) to inform study and process decision‑making
• Actively contribute to activities and service processes that support study sponsors, funders and investigators to access data and enable them to manage the delivery of their studies and request support from the RDN as needed
• Utilise operational activity data for cost attribution and allocation of studies, ensuring accurate data support for regional organisations
• Ensure compliance with the DHSC RDN Portfolio Policy that enables sponsors, delegates, research delivery sites and funders to understand and adhere to their roles and responsibilities, satisfying the Eligibility Criteria for NIHR support before inclusion on the portfolio and adhering to the NIHR RDN Portfolio Terms and Conditions
• Contribute to oversight of the RDN portfolio to proactively identify potential issues and opportunities, working as an active partner to resolve and action follow‑up activity
• Support Study Sponsors and delegates in utilisation of the Sponsor Engagement Tool to secure visibility of real‑time research activity data and identify capacity in the health and care research system to deliver research quickly and efficiently
• Actively contribute to the coordination of the National Specialty and Setting Groups (e.g., arranging meetings, taking notes)
• Provide administrative support (e.g., note‑taking and action tracking) to facilitate operational and project delivery and capture learnings and knowledge for national network benefit

Operational Management

• Provide support for the delivery of Study Support Services in line with national standards
• Facilitate efficient study set‑up, act as 'Main NIHR Network Contact' for performance monitoring, tracking and assisting activities
• Track, monitor and assess study progress and provide appropriate support/action plans for key stakeholders so they can effectively deliver their study in line with the Terms and Conditions for NIHR Research Delivery Network Support
• Support and encourage sponsors to undertake accurate and timely uploading of recruitment data to relevant national portfolio systems
• Assist stakeholders who may need help to undertake feasibility, capability and capacity evaluations so organisations can deliver studies in a timely manner
• Assist in the development and delivery of training relating to the RDN Study Support Service and relevant research activities
• Undertake activities that contribute to the alignment and coordination of the NS&SL support for funders and sponsors in study design, deliverability and participant access to bring compatibility with the advice and guidance provided by the Study Support Service to ensure optimal planning, placement and 'on request' performance monitoring of studies
• Support in the project management of specialty and setting initiatives at regional and national levels
• Support the organisation of communities of practice and events to promote knowledge sharing and best practices

Service Improvement & Development

• Ensure a customer‑centric approach to service delivery, ensuring that the needs and expectations of stakeholders are met or exceeded
• Collaborate with internal teams to address challenges and optimise service delivery

Performance Management

• Contribute to the overarching goals of the Research Delivery Network by ensuring smooth operation of services, adhering to relevant SOPs to ensure consistent and effective service delivery
• Foster effective communication and collaboration among internal teams to enhance overall efficiency

Life Sciences Industry

• Champion the RDN’s capacity and capability to support Life Sciences Industry research and the contribution of the Life Sciences Industry to the NHS
• Provide the Study Support Services consistently, within the required timeframes and to standard RDN requirements
• Support business development activities, including sourcing/signposting to relevant regional clinical research expertise and knowledge to support optimal research delivery

Financial Management Responsibilities

• Maintain systems for cost attribution and allocation of studies, ensuring adept support for regional organisations with their data requirements

Continuous Improvement

• Foster a culture of continuous improvement, seeking out opportunities for innovation
• Support quality improvement projects as required
• Suggest new improvements for national adoption, escalating local challenges and sharing all innovations
• Undertake cross‑specialty, cross‑setting and Study Support Service collaborative activities for improved research delivery

Communication & Stakeholder Management (NHS and Non‑NHS)

• Engage with multiple regional partners to support the coordination of communities and events
• Communicate complex information both orally and in writing, internally to colleagues and externally to a range of audiences, providing advice, delivering training, presentations and writing reports
• Respond to queries from partners and customers to help them navigate and best utilise the network’s offer, internally flagging potential issues that may arise

Ensuring Patient, Carer and Public Inform and Influence Delivery of RDN Strategy

Act as a champion for patients, carers and the public, ensuring that their interests are meaningfully incorporated into the delivery of the RDN and RRDN.

Corporate Governance

• Work in accordance with RRDN contractual requirements (e.g., the Performance and Operating Framework) and with Host‑related policies and procedures
• Act in accordance with current legislation, including Good Clinical Practice, research governance legislation, and the Data Protection Act
• Escalate risks that may need consideration for the corporate risk register
• Follow and make suggestions to Standard Operating Procedures

Key Relationships

• RDN Study Support Service teams
• National/RRDN Specialty and Settings Leads
• Commercial and non‑commercial sponsors and their delegates (e.g., Chief Investigators, Study Teams, Contract Research Organisations and Clinical Trials Units)
• R&D staff based at research Delivery Organisations
• Regional research delivery teams
• Research funders

This advert closes on Tuesday 9 Dec 2025