Job summary
- Main area
- Research and Development
- Grade
- NHS AfC: Band 6
- Contract
- Permanent
- Hours
- Part time
- Flexible working
- Job ref
- 354-CO-21955
- Employer
- Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Sussex Education Centre
- Town
- Hove
- Salary
- £39,959 - £48,117 pro rata
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 31/07/2026 23:59
Employer heading
Research Governance Officer
NHS AfC: Band 6
Come and join us
We’re looking for people who share our values of compassion, accountability and optimism to help us provide high quality care for the patients, carers, families and communities we serve. We specialise in NHS mental health and learning disability services and we’re proud to make a difference every day.
At SPFT we put people first. We’ll do everything possible to help you feel respected, valued and included. You’ll have opportunities to learn, grow and gain new experiences to support your career, with access to lifelong learning and professional development.
We actively promote flexible working and understand how important work life balance is, especially in healthcare. Whether it’s part time hours, hybrid working or flexible start and finish times, we’ll explore what works for you and the role.
We recognise that tools like AI are becoming part of everyday life and you may choose to use them when preparing your application. We welcome this, as long as what you submit reflects your own experience, skills and voice. AI can be helpful for structuring or refining your answers, but it should not replace your own examples or create content that isn’t based on your real experience.
Our recruitment process is designed to get to know you, and we’ll explore your examples further at interview, so it’s important your application genuinely represents what you bring. You can read more about using AI in applications and interviews on our recruitment process page.
We’re shaping a workplace where ideas are encouraged, technology supports you and everyone has a voice in how we improve. If that sounds like the kind of organisation you want to be part of, we’d love to hear from you.
Job overview
Are you looking for an opportunity to be at the cutting edge of Research? A fantastic opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic and motivated Research Governance Officer to join the Research Governance Team at Sussex Partnership NHS foundation Trust.
This is a permanent, part-time oppotunity for an individual with previous research governance experience to join our established team to, support the set up and delivery of research studies at SPFT.
As Research Governance Officer you will be responsible for assuring compliance of our sponsored research with all relevant laws and regulations and will deliver on-going research audit and monitoring programs.
Our ideal candidate will have significant experience of working in a research support environment with an understanding of NHS R&D systems and clinical research issues such as research governance, ethical review, Medicines for Human Use Regulations, etc.
Main duties of the job
You will support the Research Governance Manager in ensuring that research taking place within Sussex Partnership adheres to the UK Policy Framework for Health and Social Care Research.
The main duties will be those relating to the assessment and arrangement of capacity and capability for the Trust to deliver research studies. This includes, but is not limited to, risk assessment, managing internal authorisations, contract review and making HR arrangements.
You will also support with on-going monitoring of research studies and processing amendments.
Working for our organisation
You will be working with a large, busy and passionate research team and will be line managed by the Research Governance Manager, from whom you will receive regular supervision. You will work closely with the managers, academics, researchers and admin staff within the department as well as clinicians and NHS staff in the wider Trust.
We foster a supportive, warm and friendly atmosphere where staff wellbeing is paramount. We support staff development and offer regular wellbeing activities and opportunities to work flexibly.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
- Work closely with local research teams, providing guidance on internal and national research approval pathways and Research Governance requirements.
- Liaise with external colleagues within Higher Education Industries, the NIHR and regulatory agencies to ensure the smooth set-up of research studies.
- Review research contracts, ensuring they include necessary clauses for data protection, intellectual property, confidentiality, and publication rights, and liaise with external partners to resolve any issues.
- Process applications for research passports and administer letters of access for external staff.
- Undertake Research Governance reviews, considering the UK Policy Framework for Health and Social Care Research as well as Good Clinical Practice and internal policies and procedures to inform the review.
- Consider data protection arrangements and advise on the need for information sharing agreements and Data Protection Impact Assessments.
- Use the online research management system, EDGE, to manage study information and monitor study progress.
- Monitor active studies against GCP standards, adhering to local Standard Operating Processes.
- Report on study set-up metrics and dissemination of research findings.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
- Relevant degree-level qualification or equivalent research qualification
- Evidence of continuous personal and professional development
Knowledge
Essential criteria
- Working knowledge of UK Policy Wide Framework for Health & Social Care Research gained through training or experience in governance posts
- Experience and evidence of analysing, interpreting and presenting information
- Experience and evidence of supporting and leading on a project
Desirable criteria
- Experience as an active researcher
- Lived experience of mental health issues
Skills
Essential criteria
- Advanced skills in MS Microsoft; Excel, Word and PowerPoint
- Numerate and good analytical skills requiring a high degree of concentration
- Excellent range of communication skills and good interpersonal skills
- Evidence of successful project management skills
- Excellent organisational and planning skills
Desirable criteria
- Able to engage with people at all levels
Approach, Values
Essential criteria
- Motivated and proactive
- Ability to plan own workload, Works well under pressure and meets deadlines
- Conscientious approach
- Positive approach to problem solving
Employer certification / accreditation badges
Applicant requirements
This post will require a submission for Disclosure to be made to check for any unspent criminal convictions.
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Matthew Smith
- Job title
- Research Governance Manager
- Email address
- [email protected]
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