At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead improvements in pharmacy research processes and support NHS/HSC organisations.
- Company: Health Research Authority (HRA) committed to inclusive and supportive work culture.
- Benefits: Flexible working arrangements, home-based contracts, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Join a diverse team dedicated to fostering collaboration and innovation.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on health research and improve study set-up timelines.
- Qualifications: Registered pharmacist with experience in clinical trials and management responsibilities.
The predicted salary is between 46000 - 52000 £ per year.
The Health Research Authority (HRA) is offering a new and exciting opportunity for senior, experienced members of the professional pharmacy community working in health and care research. These roles will contribute to improving study set-up by streamlining processes and supporting sites to take assurances, to reduce the time taken to set up research to 150 days or less, in line with the ambitious government target. We are seeking expert input and leadership to support this work, and appointments will be made from this pool of experienced professionals. Roles will be fixed-term secondments, for one year with flexible whole-time equivalents, recognising that they will be undertaken alongside existing professional responsibilities.
Successful individuals will work on behalf of the HRA to help develop improvements in set-up and technical assurances provided for research involving pharmacy. We aim to support the NHS and Health and Social Care organisations (HSC Northern Ireland), reducing the need for local duplication where study level assurances and information can be provided, improving time to study activation in the UK. Successful individuals will work closely with HRA staff and existing experts who advise us, to support change in the NHS and HSC (Northern Ireland), encourage more colleagues to become registered technical reviewers, and to provide expertise and advice to industry sponsors and our UK partners.
Main duties of the job
- Help HRA increase central technical reviewer capacity so there are registered pharmacy reviewers in every NHS/HSC organisation selected to be a chief investigator or participating site.
- Help NHS/HSC organisations develop consistent approaches to study setup in Pharmacy, building a standard way of operating when setting-up research.
- Recommend improvements that could deliver quality Sponsor information and pharmacy technical information for set-up.
- Deliver an agreed work package to develop and test new initiatives and existing assurances to improve their impact on site set-up, removing unnecessary duplication of activity where possible.
- Further improve effectiveness and use of lead pharmacy reviews linking early information provision to feasibility at site selection, through to set-up and NCVR.
- Help to develop and implement improvement initiatives that will strengthen industry confidence and study start-up timelines.
- Contribute to the development of ideal pathway models aligned with the embedding of study-wide assurance approaches and information for site set-up within digital research systems.
- Contribute to the production of evidence for a long-term operating model by December 2027.
About us
At the HRA, we are committed to fostering a supportive and inclusive working environment where we actively invest in the development and empowerment of our staff, enabling them to perform at their best. We strive to promote a healthy workplace culture where wellbeing, collaboration, and professional growth are valued and encouraged.
Working at the HRA, we support flexible working, recognising that home based or hybrid arrangements provides us with the most productive environment to work well. Where possible, we'll offer a working pattern that suits you. The HRA offers home based contracts for all locations. Newcastle, Manchester and Nottingham based staff can be office based and hybrid working arrangements are also possible. We encourage you to speak with us to explore how this could be accommodated.
We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace that promotes and values diversity. We know from experience that different ideas, perspectives and backgrounds create a stronger, more creative workplace that helps us to deliver the best services. We welcome applications which represent the rich diversity of our community: age, disability, gender identity and expression, ethnicity, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation and other diverse characteristics, and we have policies in place to ensure that all applicants are treated fairly and consistently at every stage of the recruitment process.
For an informal discussion about the roles please contact.
Person Specification
Education/Qualifications
- Registered pharmacist - Employed within a research active organisation with a wide range of portfolio clinical trials, including CTIMPs.
- GPhC registration.
Professional appointments
- Employed within a research active organisation with a wide range of portfolio clinical trials, including CTIMPs.
Knowledge, skills and experience
- Significant evidence of management responsibility of pharmacy clinical trial services.
- Evidence of training and audit experience.
Lead Technical Expert: Pharmacy employer: Health Research Authority
The Health Research Authority (HRA) is an exceptional employer that prioritises the professional growth and wellbeing of its staff, offering flexible working arrangements to suit individual needs. With a strong commitment to inclusivity and diversity, HRA fosters a collaborative work culture where innovative ideas are valued, making it an ideal environment for experienced pharmacy professionals looking to make a meaningful impact in health and care research.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead Technical Expert: Pharmacy
✨Get Familiar with Temporary Roles in Pharma
Temporary positions in the pharmaceutical industry often arise during specific periods, like product launches or seasonal hiring sprints. Keep an eye on timelines and be proactive in reaching out to companies, especially around these busy times!
✨Join Pharma Networking Events
Participate in local and virtual pharmaceutical networking events or job fairs. This is a fantastic way to get in front of hiring managers and learn more about temporary opportunities directly from those in the know.
✨Leverage Your University Career Services
If you’re a student or recent grad, tap into your university’s career services which often have specific connections to pharma companies looking to fill temporary roles. They might even have exclusive internship programmes that lead to temp jobs!
✨Be Visible Online and Offline
Utilise platforms like LinkedIn to share your interests in temporary roles and connect with industry professionals. Plus, consider writing about relevant pharmaceutical topics to showcase your knowledge and enthusiasm—this can help you stand out to hiring companies like Health Research Authority.
We think you need these skills to ace Lead Technical Expert: Pharmacy
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Your Relevant Experience:In the pharmaceutical industry, it's crucial to showcase any relevant experience you have, whether it's internships, lab work, or coursework. Let’s emphasise your familiarity with drug development processes and any hands-on experience you've had with lab equipment or clinical trials in your CV.
Mention Certifications and Training:If you’ve got any certifications relevant to pharmaceuticals, like Good Clinical Practice (GCP) or a certification in pharmacovigilance, make sure to include them. These show your commitment to the field and can make a positive impact on your application for a temporary role at Health Research Authority.
Show Your Flexibility and Availability:Temporary positions often require immediate availability and flexibility in working hours. In your cover letter, make it clear when you can start and your ability to adapt to changing schedules, as this is key to a successful application.
Express Your Learning Goals:Since this is a temporary role, we suggest discussing what you hope to learn or gain from the experience at Health Research Authority. This not only shows your eagerness but also helps employers see you as someone who’s ready to make the most out of the opportunity.
How to prepare for a job interview at Health Research Authority
✨Know Your Regulations
In the pharmaceutical industry, it’s crucial to understand key regulations like GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices) or GCP (Good Clinical Practices). Brush up on these standards and be ready to discuss how they influence your work approach during your interview with Health Research Authority.
✨Emphasise Adaptability
Since this is a temporary role, show that you're ready to hit the ground running. Share examples from your past experiences that demonstrate your ability to adapt quickly to new environments or changes, especially in a fast-paced setting like pharmaceuticals.
✨Highlight Relevant Skills and Tools
Whether it’s laboratory techniques or software like LabWare or SAS, make sure you can confidently talk about your technical skills. If you have experience with any specific tools used in previous roles, relate that directly to how it can help Health Research Authority achieve its goals.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Be ready for technical questions related to drug development processes or quality assurance. We should expect scenarios where you might have to troubleshoot a problem or suggest improvements on a project—this shows your problem-solving capability in a temporary role.
