Senior Research Administrator | The Christie NHS Foundation Trust

Overview

We have an exciting new opportunity for a Senior Research Administrator to support the NIHR Manchester Clinical Research Facility (CRF) team in the Research & Innovation division at The Christie NHS Foundation Trust.

You will join our growing CRF team providing general administrative support including support our trials review process. The post-holder will be expected to work in a professional and confident manner interacting with staff across the Trust at all levels, and be able to handle confidential and sensitive issues appropriately. We are looking for an enthusiastic, self-motivated and proactive team player who can work flexibly with the needs of the service, and take their own initiative in this high profile and busy environment. Clear communication and a good eye for detail are essential, as are strong organisation and IT skills. Previous experience working in a research environment within the NHS would be advantageous, but all training will be provided as needed.

You will actively contribute to the performance of the team by ensuring you provide administrative support in a proactive, timely and efficient manner. You will help us to maintain our status as one of the leading CRFs in the country and have the chance to work with a team with extensive research experience.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Christie is one of Europe’s leading cancer centres, treating over 60,000 patients a year. We are based in Manchester and serve a population of 3.2 million across Greater Manchester & Cheshire, but as a national specialist around 15% patients are referred to us from other parts of the country.

We provide radiotherapy through one of the largest radiotherapy departments in the world; chemotherapy on site and through 14 other hospitals; highly specialist surgery for complex and rare cancer; and a wide range of support and diagnostic services. We are also an international leader in research, with world first breakthroughs for over 100 years.

We run one of the largest early clinical trial units in Europe with over 300 trials every year. Cancer research in Manchester, most of which is undertaken on the Christie site, has been officially ranked the best in the UK.

The National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Clinical Research Facility (CRF) at the Christie is one of six units which together comprise the NIHR Manchester CRF. We provide the infrastructure for the delivery of early phase experimental and translational research in oncology including first-in-human trials.

• Manage and prioritise own workload, seek advice and support when required.
• Maintain open and clear communication with CRF staff at all levels, and more widely R&I to ensure effective working across the team and division.
• Respond to emails in a timely and professional manner; forward and escalate matters as appropriate.
• Identify and highlight areas within working processes and procedures that could improve service delivery.
• Create an inclusive working environment where diversity is valued, everyone can contribute, and ensure we meet our duty to uphold and promote equality.
• Support induction of new starters by ensuring appropriate access to systems and software. Manage access to team drives.
• Arrange team events as required
• Act as lead user for seminar room AV equipment, ensure systems are fully operational, report and escalate faults, and support colleagues with use.
• Schedule meetings using appropriate software, resolve appointment conflicts, book meeting rooms and/or set up Teams; circulate calendar invites.
• Prepare, collate and distribute papers as appropriate ahead of meetings, take clear, concise and accurate minutes that document decisions made and actions arising; circulate minutes and rolling actions in a timely manner.
• Co-ordinate the CRF Trials Review process, ensuring all applications are downloaded, filed and tabled ready for weekly review.
• Liaise with research disease teams to ensure an effective and timely trials review process: communicate and resolve queries arising in a timely manner.
• Accurate record keeping, track and review progress of each application, with all decisions documented and outstanding actions followed-up.
• Update R-Peak (clinical research management system) with queries arising and final review outcome.
• Raise purchase requisitions for goods and services on Integra or via NHS Supplies in line with NHS procurement procedures; track and receipt items on arrival.
• Communicate with suppliers to obtain quotes, confirm orders, and resolve delivery or invoicing queries.
• Support team members with conference bookings and planning travel.
• Circulate all staff emails and disseminate staff surveys as required.
• Contribute to ad-hoc or planned project work with appropriate direction from senior staff.
• Create bespoke documents for the team such as leaflets and posters etc. using MS Office software.
• Place and track tickets with Estates to ensure maintenance requests are completed in a timely manner, raise health & safety or other site issues appropriately keeping your line manager informed at all times.

Reception

• Occasional reception duties acting as first point of contact for patients and visitors to the CRF.
• Respond to all face-to-face interactions, incoming calls and emails in a timely and professional manner.
• Deal with enquiries some of which are complex and sensitive, acting on own initiative effectively and taking appropriate action.
• Ensure confidentiality is maintained at all times adhering to Trust Policies and Christie Values

General

• Contribute to, and maintain, a positive working team environment
• Escalate issues or concerns as appropriate.
• Attend and contribute to team meetings.
• Be responsible for co-ordinating and updating relevant pages on the Research and Innovation Internet and Intranet (HIVE) sites.
• Be proactive in relation to your own personal development; attend relevant mandatory training updates.
• Undertake general office duties including photocopying, scanning, filing etc., as well as other administrative duties commensurate with level of the post.
• Work flexibly around the needs of the service.

This advert closes on Sunday 12 Oct 2025