Research Governance Assistant

Job overview

The Cambridge Biomedical campus is one of the largest biomedical campuses in Europe. Cambridge University Hospitals (CUH) is a leading national centre for specialist treatment, one of only six academic health science centres in the UK and a University Teaching Hospital with an international reputation. The campus combines research in world-class institutes, patient care in Cambridge University Hospitals and the Royal Papworth Hospital, and drug discovery though GlaxoSmithKline’s Clinical Unit, AstraZeneca’s global research headquarters. Our site provides access to state-of-the-art clinical research facilities to support experimental, innovative research including first-in-human trials.

The Trust’s R&D Department is responsible for the governance of all research studies taking place at Cambridge University Hospitals.  You will be part of the Research Governance team managing the review process of research applications, amendments and making judgments on whether research is compliant with relevant legislation, policies and procedures.

Ideally you will be of Graduate calibre and/or have recent experience of working within a clinical research environment.  Detailed knowledge and understanding of research governance and  study set up is essential.  You should also have excellent communication skills in order to assist and guide researchers at all levels.

Main duties of the job

The Research Governance Assistant will:

Manage the research governance for a portfolio of non-sponsored hosted commercial and non commercial studies across a number of specialities within the Trust.
Manage CDAs, addendums  and budget costings for commercially sponsored studies.
Manage the review process of amendments to approved research studies.
Advise stakeholders on the NHS study set up process.

Working for our organisation

Our Trust

Cambridge University Hospitals (CUH) NHS Foundation Trust comprises Addenbrooke’s Hospital and the Rosie Hospital in Cambridge. With over 13,000 staff and over 1100 beds the priorities of the Trust focus on a quality service which is all about people – patients, staff and partners. Recognised as providing ‘outstanding’ care to our patients and rated ‘Good’ overall by the Care Quality Commissioner, is testament to the skill and dedication of the people who work here. CUH’s values – Together - Safe, Kind, Excellent – are at the heart of patient care, defining the way all staff work and behave. The Trust provides accessible high-quality healthcare for the local people of Cambridge, together with specialist services, dealing with rare or complex conditions for a regional, national and international population.

CUH is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive community - a place where we can all be ourselves. We value our differences and fully advocate and support an inclusive working environment where every individual can fulfil their potential. We want to ensure our people are truly representative of all the communities that we serve. We welcome applications for all positions in the organisation irrespective of people’s age, disability, ethnicity, race, nationality, gender identity, sex, sexual orientation, religion or belief, marriage and civil partnership status, or pregnancy and maternity status or social economic background.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Please see the attached Applicant Information Pack (combined Job Description and Person Specification) for key duties and responsibilities.

Please note:- Internal applicants on permanent contracts can apply for this post as a secondment or fixed term contract. For secondments you must have the approval of your line manager before applying. If you are an internal applicant currently on a fixed term contract you are able to apply for this as a fixed term position.

This vacancy will close at midnight on 6th September 2026. 

Interview dates will be communicated to successful applicants. 

Benefits to you

At Cambridge University Hospitals, we want to do all we can to support good working days. We offer development opportunities and a wide range of benefits, including on-site leisure facilities, shopping concourse and day nurseries. Our good work programme currently includes providing reduced cost Stagecoach bus travel to and from Cambridge University Hospital site. Park and Ride bus journeys between Babraham Road and Trumpington sites are free, as is the route to and from Cambridge train station and our hospitals. We also subsidise the cost of parking on site for eligible staff.

On CUH campus, hot food is available 24/7 and at a reduced cost for colleagues. Recently we launched the first of our staff pod break spaces. Located in the Deakin Centre, we have a purpose-created colleague-only café, with free tea and coffee, a break space and private outside area for colleagues to rest, refuel and recharge. Just one of the ways we are working hard to support good working days at CUH.

CUH is committed to assisting employees in achieving a good work-life balance irrespective of role or personal circumstances. Flexible arrangements may include, but are not limited to, part-time working, job-share, term-time working and flexible start and finish times.

Please note if you would like to discuss the required hours of this role further, you should approach the contact given. In some cases, alternative working hours will be considered.

We welcome applications from the Armed Forces.

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria

Science degree qualification or equivalent experience

Desirable criteria

GCP training

Post graduate research qualification

Experience

Essential criteria

Experience of working in a research environment (NHS, University or industry)

Desirable criteria

Experience of working within a clinical research setting

Knowledge

Essential criteria

Demonstrable understanding of research governance within the NHS, university or industry

Understanding of the ethical issues in clinical research

Desirable criteria

Knowledge of the regulatory framework for research including the UK Research Governance Policy Framework for Health Social Care Research

Knowledge of commercial organisations and external agencies within clinical research

Skills

Essential criteria

- Excellent communication, organisational and planning skills

- Excellent interpersonal skills including the ability to build working relationships with department colleagues, Trust staff at all levels and external organisations such as the Ethics Committees, Universities, funding bodies, and other NHS Trusts

- Excellent IT skills including the recording of data within electronic databases

- Ability to work under pressure balancing conflicting workloads

- Ability to work independently with initiative and maintain confidentiality

- Be proactive and work methodically

Additional Requirements

Essential criteria

The ability to understand and behave at all times, towards patients, visitors and colleagues according to the Trust values of Safe, Kind, Excellent.

- Keep up to date with changes in local and national guidelines / legislative requirements

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Documents to download

Further details / informal visits contact

Name

Tracy Assari

Job title

Research Governance Manager

Email address

View email address on careers.cuh.nhs.uk