Job Description

Kettering General Hospital NHS Foundation Trust (KGH) and Northampton General Hospital NHS Trust (NGH) are working collaboratively as a formal hospital group known as University Hospitals of Northamptonshire. Together, we are dedicated to achieving excellence in all things. The post-holder will support the delivery of research and developing the research collaboration and maximising opportunities to increase research and innovation capacity and capability, with the aim of increasing the number of staff and patients participating in high quality research.
The R&D Officer will act as a facilitator in the review of research studies sponsored by KGH.
The post-holder will ensure KGH studies are supported from grant application, through to sponsorship approval and initiation at sites. The post holder will ensure studies meet regulatory requirements and other obligations as Sponsor.
The post-holder will be required to work autonomously and will be required to manage their day-to-day workload, prioritising as needed.
Main duties of the job
Responsible for a caseload of portfolio sponsored studies including regulatory and service support submissions.
To co-ordinate governance review of research projects within the Trust, including finance, data protection, radiation safety, support departments, and ethical approval
To ensure the Trust is up to date with national research developments and that systems and processes are fit for purpose.
To prioritise support for research projects that are in line with the Trust's strategic objectives.
To manage the day to day activities of the Research Office in collaboration with the senior research nurse.
To maintain a research management system which will enable the efficient co-ordination of research studies, provide a range of reports on study progress and recruitment which can be shared with various Trust groups including CBUs and Quality Governance
In line with NIHR guidance, to develop and co-ordinate systems for Trust access by external researchers, including arranging pre-engagement checks; maintaining close liaison with Human Resources/recruitment services
To ensure contracts with other organisations, including commercial organisations, are scrutinised and are satisfactory and acceptable to the Trust and signed off.
Supporting the review of new research grant applications.
Providing expert guidance to investigators on the requirements for KGH sponsorship.
About us
**Please submit your application as soon as possible as we reserve the right to close any adverts before the closing date once we have received sufficient applications**
Kettering General Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is one of the largest employers in the area and we are on an exciting journey. All our divisions are committed to doing things better, with more efficiency as we update, modernise, and advance. We have also entered a Group Model with neighbouring Northampton General Hospital NHSTrust and become University Hospitals of Northamptonshire.
Our Excellence Values

• Compassion
• Accountability
• Respect
• Integrity
• Courage

We want to recruit the best people to deliver our services across the University Hospitals of Northamptonshire and help to unleash everyone's full potential.
The Hospital Group encourages applications from people who identify from all protected groups. We understand that we need to work with colleagues from diverse backgrounds and make sure the environment they work in is inclusive and collaborative.
We recognise the valuable contribution that the Armed Forces community make to our organisation. We have signed the Armed Forces Covenant and achieved Silver Award under the Armed Forces Employer Recognition Scheme.
We have active Networks that promote and support colleagues from all backgrounds. This ensures everyone feels supported and has a sense of belonging
Details
Date posted
26 November 2025
Pay scheme
Agenda for change
Band
Band 6
Salary
38,682 to 46,580 a year Per Annum
Contract
Fixed term
Duration
12 months
Working pattern
Full-time
Reference number
264-7563774-COR-B
Job locations
Kettering General Hospital, NHS Foundation Trust
Rothwell Road
Kettering
NN16 8UZ
Job description
Job responsibilities
For further information on the advertised role, please refer to the job description and person specification located under the Supporting Documents heading. Job description
Job responsibilities
For further information on the advertised role, please refer to the job description and person specification located under the Supporting Documents heading.
Person Specification
Education, Training & Qualifications
Essential

• Educated to degree level or equivalent
• Postgraduate level qualification or equivalent extensive research experience
• Knowledge and detailed understanding of national R&D priorities and developments
• Expert knowledge and practical application of the UK Research Governance Framework and ethics procedures
• Knowledge of legislation and regulation relevant to healthcare research
• Knowledge of DOH, NIHR, Research Council and Charity funding streams

Skills
Essential

• Evidence of complex relationship building with stakeholders
• Advanced numeracy and problem solving skills
• Experience of working with Microsoft, Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
• Initiating and delivery projects to targets
• Knowledge of EDGE Research Management System
• Experience of using databases and of data analytical skills including the analysis of multiple sources of information to ensure compliance with targets and regulatory requirements
• Ability to prioritise conflicting and changing demands
• Ability to work independently and on own initiative
• Experience of delivering training to healthcare or research professionals

Key Competencies/ Personal Qualities & Attributes
Essential

• Excellent communication skills, written and verbal
• Strong desire to share best practice and find improvements in service delivery
• The ability to establish appropriate documentation and record keeping.
• Ability to work autonomously and manage own workload and prioritise appropriately.
• Passionate and committed to bring our Dedicated to Excellence values to life, improving the way we work with each other, particularly focusing on empowerment, equality diversity and inclusion of our staff, patients and service users

Knowledge & Experience
Essential

• Relevant and proven experience in review of research studies for Sponsorship in the UK.
• Experience in applying relevant legislation to the set-up of research for sponsorship
• Relevant research management experience in NHS, Academic or Industry
• Data analytical skills (both quantitative and qualitative) including the analysis of multiple sources of information to ensure compliance with targets and performance indicators
• Dissemination of complex, specialist information to internal and external stakeholders
• Allocation of tasks and projects to others and supervision of outcomes
• Analysing practices and implementing policies or systems to improve outcomes
• Experience in compiling and submitting research grant or other funding applications
• Formal Presentations
• Experience of staff supervision

Person Specification
Education, Training & Qualifications
Essential

• Educated to degree level or equivalent
• Postgraduate level qualification or equivalent extensive research experience
• Knowledge and detailed understanding of national R&D priorities and developments
• Expert knowledge and practical application of the UK Research Governance Framework and ethics procedures
• Knowledge of legislation and regulation relevant to healthcare research
• Knowledge of DOH, NIHR, Research Council and Charity funding streams

Skills
Essential

• Evidence of complex relationship building with stakeholders
• Advanced numeracy and problem solving skills
• Experience of working with Microsoft, Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
• Initiating and delivery projects to targets
• Knowledge of EDGE Research Management System
• Experience of using databases and of data analytical skills including the analysis of multiple sources of information to ensure compliance with targets and regulatory requirements
• Ability to prioritise conflicting and changing demands
• Ability to work independently and on own initiative
• Experience of delivering training to healthcare or research professionals

Key Competencies/ Personal Qualities & Attributes
Essential

• Excellent communication skills, written and verbal
• Strong desire to share best practice and find improvements in service delivery
• The ability to establish appropriate documentation and record keeping.
• Ability to work autonomously and manage own workload and prioritise appropriately.
• Passionate and committed to bring our Dedicated to Excellence values to life, improving the way we work with each other, particularly focusing on empowerment, equality diversity and inclusion of our staff, patients and service users

Knowledge & Experience
Essential

• Relevant and proven experience in review of research studies for Sponsorship in the UK.
• Experience in applying relevant legislation to the set-up of research for sponsorship
• Relevant research management experience in NHS, Academic or Industry
• Data analytical skills (both quantitative and qualitative) including the analysis of multiple sources of information to ensure compliance with targets and performance indicators
• Dissemination of complex, specialist information to internal and external stakeholders
• Allocation of tasks and projects to others and supervision of outcomes
• Analysing practices and implementing policies or systems to improve outcomes
• Experience in compiling and submitting research grant or other funding applications
• Formal Presentations
• Experience of staff supervision

Skills Required