Research Project Manager

This job is brought to you by Jobs/Redefined, the UK's leading over-50s age inclusive jobs board.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Research Project Management

• Input into issues of project feasibility from an early stage in grant application process.
• Prepare and submit ethics and regulatory authority applications and amendments and ensure all approvals have been gained prior to research commencing.
• Assist in the writing and evaluation of research protocols, patient information, questionnaires, and other study documentation as applicable.
• Good planning and organisational skills - able to plan project and make adjustments if needed.
• Assist with management of patient & public involvement & engagement activities.
• Advise and negotiate on clinical trial agreements including financial arrangements and material/data transfer agreements.
• Develop and implement suitable tracking tools for all aspects of the project.
• Take responsibility for site-initiation, data collection and monitoring, and on-going study management.
• Identify strategies for recruiting patients to individual studies and supporting team members in implementing these strategies.
• Work to ensure patient recruitment targets and other project milestones are achieved.
• Develop and manage the risk management strategy.
• Maintain and update site files and study databases.
• Conduct research activity within the research governance framework.
• Maintain and develop a working knowledge of current legislation regarding participation in research, including research and clinical governance and data protection. Attending mandatory and specialist training (e.g. ICH GCP) in accordance with local policy and research governance.

Finance/Budget Management

• Identify funding streams for potential grant applications.
• Facilitate preparation and submission of research grant applications.
• Assist in development of the project budget ensuring finances are well managed throughout the project duration; Working with NHS/University finance systems to raise purchase requisitions, receipt goods and check invoices are paid.
• Day-to-day project budget management duties, including administering and monitoring the project budget, acting as budget holder for project.
• Develop and maintain excellent working relationship with The Christie NHS Foundation Trust finance department and University Research Finance/Support/Contracts to provide detailed costings for research projects and to troubleshoot any issues that arise.

Communications

• Serve as a main point of contact for research teams and study investigators, external funding bodies, pharmaceutical companies etc, as applicable.
• Support researchers with internal and external communication so that collaborations are maximized.
• Liaise with a wide range of academic, clinical, managerial and administrative staff throughout the Trust, and other academic and healthcare institutions, both nationally and internationally.
• Communicate persuasively to project boards and staff to the requirements of the project, negotiates with and motivates sites on project delivery, including linking with other initiatives.
• Communicates sensitive information about performance and change, makes routine/complex formal presentations to large groups.
• Arrange meetings, prepare agendas, take minutes and distribute as appropriate, following up any action points; includes study team meetings, study initiation visits etc.
• Draft abstracts and posters for local, national and international conferences.
• Write regular updates or newsletters to keep collaborators up to date with developments.
• Prepare and submit interim and annual reports for R&I, ethics committees, funding bodies, etc. as required.
• Proofread and edit manuscripts before submission to scientific journals. Coordinate the process from submission to publication.
• Where appropriate link with the Manchester Cancer Research Centre (MCRC) and the Manchester Academic Health Science Centre (MAHSC).
• Organise external collaborative and training meetings: invite speakers, book venue, liaise with organisers and attendees, advertise event.
• Contribute to research project web site design and content, if required.

Other

• Able to exercise analytical and critical thinking - assimilating complex facts or situations, requiring interpretation, comparison of a range of options to meet project standards.
• Contribute to training programmes for R&D and other clinical staff.
• Contribute to the development of systems and infrastructure, such as SOP development, business development activities and financial management.
• Assist with preparation for and presentation of reviews/audits/inspections (e.g., MHRA, in-house audits etc).
• Contribute to any process improvement initiatives.
• Line management of junior staff.
• Contribute to Cancer Research Project Manager Network activities.
• Training and Personal Development.
• Maintain professional development whilst evaluating own specialist knowledge through a process of appraisal and personal development planning to satisfy the NHS Knowledge and Skills Framework requirements relating to the job.
• Participate in Trust-wide education programmes and study days, regional and national meetings and research seminars as appropriate.
• Acquire and maintain a working knowledge of key research areas.
• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external partners.

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria

• Educated to degree level (or equivalent) in a scientific discipline

Desirable criteria

• Post graduate qualification
• Clinical research or project management qualification

Experience

Essential criteria

• Relevant experience in scientific/medical research
• Demonstrable Research Project Management experience
• Grant writing
• Ethics submissions
• Experience working with other staff at all levels
• Experience of co-ordinating and managing clinical trials

Desirable criteria

• Previous experience of working within the NHS Trust and/or University research environments
• Experience working with funding bodies

Skills

Essential criteria

• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal with the ability to communicate at all levels
• Able to work autonomously and collaboratively
• Excellent organisational and project management skills
• Ability to manage multiple projects and work to strict deadlines
• Ability to work to tight and unexpected deadlines
• Proven collaborative and diplomatic skills
• Ability to troubleshoot effectively
• Use of MS Office IT packages
• Self-motivated
• Results orientated
• Attention to detail
• Report writing
• Analysing, interpreting and presenting data clearly

Desirable criteria

• Use of bibliographic software (e.g., EndNote)
• Able to understand the principles of research proposals covering a wide range of subject areas
• Use of research funding systems
• Experience preparing manuscripts for publication

Knowledge

Essential criteria

• Data Protection Act and confidentiality
• Good Clinical Practice (GCP) and knowledge of R&D regulations and Research Governance

Desirable criteria

• Understanding of the financial issues governing clinical research in the UK
• Understanding of cancer and cancer research
• Related clinical/medical terminology
• Knowledge of research funding systems

Values

Essential criteria

• Ability to demonstrate the organisational values and behaviours

Other

Essential criteria

• Flexible
• Conscientious and hardworking

Desirable criteria

• Evidence of continuing professional development (CPD)
• Evidence of achievement under pressure

The closing date for this post may be extended if there are insufficient applicants or brought forward if there is a high volume of applicants.

We want to ensure that everyone who works at the Christie or uses our services is welcomed, valued and treated with dignity and respect. The Christie values diversity and is committed to ensuring equal opportunities for all and fair representation across the organisation at all levels. In support of these commitments, we particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian and other ethnic minority people and people with disabilities for this post. Appointment will be only on merit.

We are committed to creating a balanced and diverse workforce. As such we welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. Together we will foster inclusion and tackle inequity and health inequalities in cancer care.

As users of the disability confident scheme, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the vacancy

All positions within the Christie are subject to the receipt of satisfactory written references, medical clearance and evidence of your Right to Work in the UK. Some roles will require a Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check. Please note if you are successfully appointed to a post with this Trust, you will be required to pay for your own DBS Disclosure.

By applying for this post you are agreeing to The Christie NHS Foundation Trust transferring the information contained in this application to its preferred applicant management system. If you are offered a job information will also be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Records system. Please note, all communication regarding your application will be made via email, please ensure you check your junk/spam folders as emails are sometimes filtered there.

If you have not heard from us within four weeks of the closing date, I regret that on this occasion your application will have been unsuccessful.

The Inter-Authority Transfer (IAT) process is a critical and beneficial component of ESR and will form part of the recruitment process. In the event that you are successful following interview your previous NHS employment data, if applicable will be transferred from your current / most recent employer.

Overseas candidates wishing to apply for this position and who would require immigration sponsorship, may wish to self-assess the likelihood of obtaining a Certificate of Sponsorship for the post on the UKVI website.

You should be aware the Trust operates a No Smoking Policy and therefore employees are not permitted to smoke at work.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Documents to download

• Job Description and Person Specification (PDF, 185.3KB)
• The Christie Values and Behaviours (PDF, 919.5KB)
• Strategy Brochure (PDF, 1.0MB)
• Travel to The Christie (PDF, 3.8MB)