Research Support Facilitator
The closing date is 02 November 2026

Job summary
This vacancy is currently only open to internal applicants from Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust.

The Research Support Facilitator forms part of the Research and Innovation team who are responsible for the feasibility, set-up, performance and delivery of the NIHR Clinical Research portfolio across Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust.

The post holder will demonstrate exceptional communication and negotiation skills gained within a clinical research or project management post, be an effective project and people manager and have highly developed organisational skills. They will assist the R&I team to ensure provision of a high quality research service as defined by national standards in order to assist research teams with the research process from grant application to study close down. This will include swift approvals and set up, placement, and successful delivery of studies which will in turn improve patient care.

This post is one of the first points of contact for support and queries, and a key element of this role is to ensure effective communication and regular engagement with stakeholders and Consortium members across the region. The post holder will be responsible for contributing to and meeting national and local objectives, especially supporting the Trust to achieve NIHR High Level Objectives. The post will require in-depth knowledge of the research process, ICH-GCP, governance standards and the changes in the research landscape within the NHS and the NIHR.

Main duties of the job
The aim of the Research Support Facilitator role is to be a supportive partner to Sponsors, Clinical Trials Units, and research delivery teams in the feasibility, set-up and delivery of the research portfolio. You will enable studies to open quickly, safely and effectively by providing the Assessment, Arrangement and Confirmation of Capacity and Capability for each study.

You will liaise on a daily basis with our local research nurses, Principal Investigators and other clinical staff involved in the conduct of clinical research, as well as the Sponsors and Clinical Trials Units organising and running these national studies, to facilitate the swift opening of their studies. You will act as the first point of contact for support, and for queries from researchers wanting to conduct studies within the Trust.

About us
Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust is a large acute and specialised hospital trust that provides a range of local acute services to the residents of Worcestershire and more specialised services to a larger population in Herefordshire and beyond.

The Trust operates hospital-based services from three sites in Kidderminster, Redditch and Worcester.

Our workforce is more than 7,000 strong, and our caring staff are recognised as providing good and outstanding patient-centred care. You could be one of them.

We are committed to recruiting the best people to work with us. Our values, which we ask all staff to demonstrate, underpin our everyday work and remain firmly at the heart of all we do.

• Being open and honest
• Ensuring people feel cared for
• Showing respect to everyone

We are committed to developing a culture of continuous improvement by embedding the principles of our Improvement System.

We are proud to have achieved Timewise accreditation - this means we are committed to embedding flexible working within our organisation as a flex positive employer.

DBS Checks and Costs
Any applicants who are offered posts requiring a DBS check as part of their employment check will have the cost of this check (at the current rate) deducted from their salary. Please see link in Supporting Information section for more details on DBS checks and costs.

Details
Date posted: 19 October 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 5
Salary: £32,073 to £39,043 a year
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Part-time, Flexible working
Reference number: C9365-26-0828-S1

Job responsibilities
Please note, this vacancy is for 30 hours per week.

• To be the main point of contact for the Trusts research teams and Clinical Leads for study set-up, conduct, delivery and management
• To provide the Assessment, Arrangement and Confirmation (AAC) of Capacity and Capability of new studies. This reviews the practicalities surrounding set-up, and the delivery of a study on Trust premises by their staff. The process begins with discussions and receipt of a final protocol, and ends with the last contract signature marking the end of all negotiations around contracts / training needs etc. The Confirmation of Capacity and Capability email is issued to the Sponsor to confirm that all the arrangements are in place, and that they can commence recruitment to the study at site
• To facilitate the Expression of Interest, Site Identification and early feasibility discussions of a study, completing forms where required and / or providing an assurance check on their return to Sponsors and Clinical Trials Units.
• To take responsibility for arranging feasibility meetings, involving clinicians, nurses, support departments, and other key personnel as required. Ensuring these meetings run smoothly and cover all the relevant points to enable the study to run effectively
• To work with research teams and clinical research personnel to ensure everything is in place prior to the Site Initiation Visit (SIV)
• To arrange SIVs, ensuring that patients can be recruited to meet any agreed target
• Remaining a supportive partner to research teams, acting as the first point of contact for queries and requests throughout the lifecycle of the study
• To raise the profile of research in each Trust through a variety of activities as identified by the postholder
• To link regularly with the Research Delivery Network West Midlands (RDNWM), attending relevant meetings and sitting on working groups
• To provide practical information, advice and guidance on related R&I processes, for example, HRA submission process, regulatory approvals and AAC Review
• To forward potential studies to local teams for consideration, for example, sharing potential studies that other organisations may be involved in
• To search for relevant studies, such as using a range of sources to identify studies for interested clinicians
• To provide marketing support to manage a research stand for appropriate events, such as International Clinical Trials Day
• To explore ways to streamline working within and outside of the Trust
• As required, organise meetings such as R&I Committee Meetings (or equivalent) including room bookings; compiling agenda and meeting papers for distribution, maintaining membership list, presenting relevant agenda items, and taking minutes
• To assist with general queries / troubleshooting relating to research
• To communicate effectively with R&I Leads, such as raising awareness of new studies, and escalating issues
• To update all local Trust information systems, e.g. EDGE, about the study as changes, notifications or updates on start-up timelines occur
• To collate and update any information sources that support obtaining AAC Review, e.g. Trust Research Information Sheet
• To delegate such activities and supervise more junior colleagues in appropriate activities, remaining responsible for the performance
• To ensure national process are adhered to, including those from the HRA
• To remain organised, and set studies up effectively so that they meet local and national objectives
• To providing training on any of the above in formal or informal sessions to a variety of colleagues and participants
• To understand and interpret research protocols and other relevant study documentation
• To identify issues that may affect capability or capacity for the Trust to be able to deliver a study
• To assist / guide with identifying suitable Principal Investigators (PIs) if required
• To understand and interpret terminology, acronyms, and time points in the review process
• Review, amend and compare contracts and costing templates, including national templates such as the Organisation Information Document (OID), Schedule of Events Cost Attribution Template (SoECAT) or formal contracts. This includes checking of cost attribution, and understanding the Attributing the Costs of Health and Social Care Research and Development guidance, ensuring that agreements are ready for signature
• Review the Industry Costing Template for commercially-Sponsored studies, involving local support departments, and negotiating directly with Sponsors as required
• Support the negotiation and agreement of recruitment targets for studies
• Identify the need for appropriate Letters of Access and Honorary Research Contracts as part of the Department for Health and Social Cares Research Passport Scheme
• Understand NIHR Portfolio eligibility, and be able to prioritise studies effectively
• Develop and improve Standard Operating Procedures for a variety of processes involved in the set up and management of research
• Actively monitor recruitment targets, such as First Patient First Visit (FPFV)
• Monitor and act as a point of contact around safety concerns or notifications received as a matter of urgency
• Work in accordance with the UK Policy Framework for Health and Social Care Research, Research Governance Framework, HRA Guidance and ICH-GCP
• Maintain an excellent understanding of, and be able to support researchers with IRAS, HRA Approval Process, HRA Good Practice Resource Pack / Research Passport, DHSC AcoRD and other related research support functions to support researchers
• Provide regulatory advice to researchers, Sponsors and other colleagues within the Consortium
• Maintain a current working knowledge of developments regarding clinical research management, regulation and governance
• Support the Trust in the event of inspection from a regulatory authority
• Work on projects autonomously and escalate issues appropriately
• Be responsible for professional development, keeping updated with current practice regarding NHS research as well as Mandatory training
• Provide cover for the work of colleagues during periods of absence or peak workloads
• Provide line management to teams as required
• Any other duties as may be agreed in the course of undertaking this role, in accordance with the grade and nature of the post

Person Specification
Essential experience:

• Experience of working in a project management or research capacity
• Proven record of planning and organisational change management
• Experience producing formal written reports, including charts and graphs
• Experience producing and delivering oral presentations
• Experience developing and administering IT data capture systems
• Experience in general office working and administration
• Experience supervising a team

Essential personal qualities:

• Professional attitude to work, diplomatic and calm under pressure
• A team-player, able to work on own initiative
• Excellent organisation skills, with high level of attention to detail and accuracy
• Ability to prioritise and manage own and others time effectively
• Ability to communicate effectively at all levels
• Empathetic approach to managing and resolving queries
• Tactful and empathetic approach to manage and resolve enquiries, and to inspire trust and confidence
• Ability to motivate, persuade, negotiate and influence others
• Willingness to undergo personal development and learn new skills
• Willingness and ability to travel across the Research Consortium area required
• Reliable and flexible approach towards working hours to meet service needs

Essential skills and knowledge:

• Working knowledge of MS Office applications, and excellent keyboard skills
• Managing multiple projects / assignments, diaries and appointments, resolving conflicting schedules
• Arranging and supporting meetings including taking minutes
• Understanding recent changes in the NHS
• Ability to manage difficult situations effectively
• Ability to plan and prioritise own workload, meeting multiple conflicting deadlines
• Ability to induct and train new staff
• Ability to analyse problems and initiate appropriate solutions effectively
• Ability to analyse complex data and deal with problems with minimal supervision
• Ability to use judgement and initiative to provide information and support
• Understanding of the research performance measures applied in the NHS, particularly in areas associated with research
• Ability to successfully work across different groups of staff in order to obtain information

Essential qualifications:

• Graduate-level qualification, or equivalent experience acquired through a professional knowledge of clinical research
• Evidence of Continued Professional Development

Desirable qualifications:

• Clinical Research Governance training (ICH-GCP)

Employer details
Employer name: Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust
Address: Charles Hastings Way, Worcester, Worcestershire, WR5 1DD, United Kingdom
Employer's website: https://www.worcsacute.nhs.uk/

For questions about the job, contact:
Research Manager, Hannah Wood, hannah.wood20@nhs.net

Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust's privacy notice is available on request.