Job vacancy: Study Support Assistant, The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, 317 01 Freeman Hospital

Job summary

Main area: 317 CR Team 2 522002
Grade: Band 4
Contract: Fixed term: 11 months (until 07 June 2026)
Hours: Full time - 37.5 hours per week
Job ref: 317-2025-22-036

Employer: The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type: NHS
Site: Freeman Hospital
Town: 317 01 Freeman Hospital
Salary: £26,530 - £29,114 per annum
Salary period: Yearly
Closing: Today at 23:59
Interview date: 30/06/2025

Study Support Assistant

Band 4

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

The post holder will deliver high quality administrative support for the development and implementation of clinical research studies within the NIHR PRC. The role will involve providing specialist research advice and support to investigators within designated clinical specialties during the set-up and running of research studies within the research unit. Responsibilities include maintaining accurate information on all research activity undertaken within the unit relating to patient participation, collecting and validating research data, organising regular departmental research meetings, assisting in the preparation of study documentation and maintenance of research databases and records.
The post holder will play a key role in ensuring that departmental research activities are undertake in line with current research governance regulations.

As a flexible working friendly organisation, we want to be sure that you can work in a way that is best for us and for our patients, and for you. Speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate a flexible working arrangement. If it works for the service, we will do our best to make it work for you.

Person specification

Qualifications & Education

Essential criteria

• Good general education (with GCSE English Language or equivalent at grade 4 or above
• NVQ level 4 (or equivalent qualification/experience) or NVQ level 3 (or equivalent qualification/experience) plus relevant practical experience of working in a demanding office environment

Desirable criteria

• Educated to degree level or equivalent qualification/experience/training

Knowledge & Experience

Essential criteria

• Experience of working in NHS or similar organisation in an administrative or project support capacity
• Awareness of the laws, guidelines and frameworks which govern the setup and conduct of clinical research in the UK (including ICH GCP/Research Governance Framework/E.U. Directive/Data Protection Act)
• Awareness of NIHR/NHS systems used in setting up a clinical research project
• Awareness of Industry-sponsored (commercial) and non-Industry sponsored (non- commercial) clinical research in the UK in accordance with NIHR policies and objectives
• An understanding of research terminology
• Awareness of need to coordinate the collection and submission of information and/or data in accordance with NIHR timescales and objectives
• Proven record of planning, organisational and administration skills

Desirable criteria

• Evidence of education/experience/training pertaining to clinical research studies/trials
• An understanding of electronic data capture systems

Skills & Abilities

Essential criteria

• Ability to plan and prioritise own workload to meet tight deadlines
• Able to analyse problems and initiate appropriate solutions effectively
• Extensive proficiency in Microsoft Office software, particularly Word, Access and Excel
• Managing multiple projects, diaries and appointments, resolving conflicting schedules
• Able to plan the organisation of events such as meetings
• Excellent interpersonal skills with ability to communicate well, in writing and verbally
• Ability to receive and provide complex information
• Able to successfully work across different groups of staff in order to obtain information
• Able to produce written and verbal reports as required

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.