Job vacancy: Industry Support Officer, The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, 317 Regent Point

Job summary

Main area: 317 Research & Development DT9988
Grade: Band 6
Contract: Fixed term: 21 months (from date of appointment)
Hours: Full time - 37.5 hours per week
Job ref: 317-2025-39-010-VA1

Employer: The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type: NHS
Site: Regent Point
Town: 317 Regent Point
Salary: £38,682 - £46,580 per annum
Salary period: Yearly
Closing: 02/11/2025 23:59
Interview date: 25/11/2025

Industry Support Officer

Band 6

Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is one of the busiest and largest NHS foundation trusts in the country, with around 15,000 staff and an annual budget of £1.6 billion.

We have a long history of providing high quality care, clinical excellence, and innovation in medical research regionally, nationally and internationally.

We’re in the top five providers of specialised health services in the country, supporting people with a range of rare and complex medical, surgical and neurological conditions, cancers and genetic orders.

Our staff oversee around 6,500 patient contacts each day, delivering high standards of healthcare.

We are committed to promoting equality and diversity and recognise the benefit in providing an inclusive environment. We value and respect the diversity of our employees and aim to recruit a workforce which reflects the communities we serve, and is equipped to deliver the best service to our patients. We welcome all applications irrespective of people’s race, disability, sex, sexual orientation, religion or belief, age, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity and in particular those from under- represented groups.

Newcastle Hospitals are proud to be one of the exemplar organisations across the NHS on sustainability, with a long history of delivering Sustainable Healthcare in Newcastle (Shine) and the first healthcare organisation in the world to declare a climate emergency. Our strategy includes commitments to being Net Zero by 2030, for our direct carbon footprint, and Net Zero by 2040 for our footprint plus. Delivering these ambitions will not be possible without the help, support and action of every single member of our team.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

We are seeking a highly motivated and organised Industry Support Officer to join our Research & Development team. This role is pivotal in supporting the delivery of commercial clinical research across the Trust, ensuring efficient feasibility assessments, site setup, and performance monitoring. You will act as a key liaison between investigators, commercial sponsors, NHS services, and national research networks, contributing to the Trust’s reputation for excellence in clinical research. The main duties of the role will include but not restricted to: -

• Feasibility & Site Identification:
Coordinate local feasibility processes for industry-sponsored trials, including investigator identification and resource assessment. Liaise with research teams to manage Expressions of Interest and confirm site capability to national research networks.
• Trial Setup & Coordination:
Support the setup of commercial trials, including contract negotiation, costing, and NHS permission processes. Work closely with support services and the Research & Development team to ensure timely and efficient trial initiation. This is a particularly in response to the new Department of Health & Social Care key performance indicators and portfolio monitoring pl
• Performance Monitoring & Reporting:
Assist in tracking recruitment and performance metrics for industry trials. Provide regular updates and reports to the Trust Industry Manager, NIHR Research Delivery Network (RDN), and other stakeholders.
• Stakeholder Engagement:
Act as a visible and reliable point of contact for commercial sponsors, Contract Research Organisations (CROs), and NIHR RDN staff. Communicate complex and sensitive information across internal and external teams.
• Policy & Service Development:
Contribute to the development and implementation of local and regional research strategies, policies, and procedures. Ensure compliance with national regulations and Trust guidelines.
• Education & Training:
Deliver training sessions on commercial research processes, including trial costing and setup. Maintain up-to-date knowledge of relevant legislation, frameworks, and Trust-specific procedures.
• Information & Data Management:
Use and maintain research databases and reporting tools. Produce documentation and reports using Microsoft Office and other specialist software.
• You will have:
o A degree or equivalent experience in clinical research
o Advanced knowledge of clinical trial setup and governance frameworks (e.g. ICH GCP, Research Governance Framework)
o Excellent organisational and problem-solving skills
o Strong interpersonal and communication abilities
o Advanced IT skills, particularly in Microsoft Office
o Experience working independently and managing multiple projects

This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to high-impact research within a leading NHS Trust. You’ll be part of a collaborative and forward-thinking team, supporting innovation and excellence in clinical trials that improve patient care and advance medical knowledge.

Person specification

Qualifications & Education

Essential criteria

Educated to degree level or equivalent qualification/ experience/ training or experience of working in clinical research
Advanced knowledge of terminology used in clinical research (post graduate level equivalent)
Evidence of continued professional/educational development

Desirable criteria

Working towards or educated to Master’s level
Undertaken a management development programme (e.g. LEO)

Knowledge & Experience

Essential criteria

Advanced knowledge and expertise (to post graduate level or equivalent) regarding the laws, guidelines and frameworks which govern the set up and conduct of clinical research within the UK (includes, but not limited to: SI 2004/1031; ICH GCP; Research Governance Framework; EU Directive)
Advanced knowledge and expertise in setting up a variety of types of clinical trials/research studies (ideally, in a study/trial co-ordinator role) and the respective approvals and permissions required
Experience of working in a research environment (NHS, University or industry)
Facilitation skills and the ability to work with and co-ordinate the work of groups of researchers
Computer literate and advanced knowledge of key software packages

Desirable criteria

Knowledge of commercial organisations within research
Evidence of developing and leading programmes of education/training

Skills & Abilities

Essential criteria

Ability to effectively communicate with wide range of personnel within healthcare sector
Excellent interpersonal skills including the ability to build working relationships with department colleagues, NIHR colleagues, Trust staff at all levels and external organisations such as the Ethics Committees, Universities, funding bodies, and other NHS Trusts
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
Be proactive and work methodically
Ability to coordinate collection of data to agreed timescales
Advanced IT skills, specifically in use of Microsoft Office Applications, to underpin the ability to create and/or develop reporting tools
Clear and legible handwriting

Important note on completion of reference section of Application Form

All references from current and previous employers will be sought and must cover a minimum of 3 years employment. Therefore, when completing the reference section of your application form, please give the address, telephone number and work email address of each of your current/previous line managers that cover 3 years employment. Failure to complete this section may result in your application not being processed.

Please note it is a requirement of The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust that all successful candidates who require a DBS for the post they have been offered pay for their DBS certificate. The method of payment is a salary deduction from your first month’s pay.

Candidates who are shortlisted for interview will be contacted by e-mail. You should check your SPAM folders as well as your inbox. If you have not been contacted within 4 weeks of the closing date you should assume your application has been unsuccessful.