Research Administrator
Job Description
Job summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic and self-motivated administrator to join the team in Research & Innovation at Sheffield Children's NHS Foundation Trust.
You will be responsible for providing comprehensive administrative and database support to the team within the Directorate of Research & Innovation. You will undertake a full range of office duties including PA support for the senior management team.
You will have a thorough working knowledge of computer software packages and excellent word processing skills. You must have the proven ability to prioritize your workload and produce high standard, accurate work to tight deadlines. You must have excellent communication skills, both written and verbal. Some knowledge of financial admin would be an advantage. The post will be based within the Research & Innovation Care Group at Sheffield Children's NHS Foundation Trust. We will provide excellent opportunities for professional development. In return, we are seeking enthusiastic and motivated candidates with a background in administration and an interest in clinical research. Successful applicants will be required to adopt a flexible working pattern as to the needs of the service.
This post is a 1 year fixed term post in the first instance with the possibility of extension depending on performance and the availability of funding. The post is offered on a full-time or part-time basis (minimum of 30 hours/week).
Main duties of the job
To provide comprehensive research administration and other practical support to the team within the Directorate of Research & Innovation. Specifically to undertake the following:
- To provide an efficient high quality and comprehensive administrative/secretarial service to the R&D/ CRF managers and their teams and the Associate Director for Research & Innovation and Clinical Directors for Research & Innovation
- To assist with and support the processing of research applications for Trust approval
- To communicate with research nurses, consultants, principal investigators, managers, students, external Research Governance/Research & Development Managers and research networks to facilitate the set up and ongoing management of research in the Trust
- To assist with the creation, maintenance and analysis of the research databases used by the team in the Research & Innovation Care Group
- To assist with the creation and maintenance of the Directorate website
- To service Care Group meetings as required
About us
At Sheffield Children's, our purpose is clear: to provide healthier futures for children and young people. Our three strategic aims are:
- Outstanding Patient Care
- Brilliant Place to work
- Leaders in Children's Health
We work successfully with local, regional, and national partners to provide physical and mental healthcare across acute and community settings. Many of our clinicians are amongst the best in their field, recognised nationally and internationally for their expertise.
As well as having enormous pride in what we do, we are a friendly, welcoming, and motivated NHS Trust who are guided by our CARE values: Compassion, Accountability, Respect, and Excellence. Our nearly 4000 colleagues live these values, ensuring kind and compassionate care that makes patients and their families feel safe and at home.
As we approach our 150th anniversary in 2026, we remain committed to enhancing our reputation in children's health leadership, improving the experiences of both patient and colleagues, and focusing on our communities and population health.
Job responsibilities
Please see attached job description and person specification for further information.
Shortlisting is planed to take place on January 2025, once completed applicants will be contacted with the applications outcome.
Inclusive Recruitment & Selection
We are committed to being an inclusive employer and accurate data capture is an important part of that to ensure we are supportive and representative. Our aim is to ensure that all applicants can see themselves in the available categories on our application form, but we recognize that some of our data capture fields are not inclusive. We have flagged this with our system provider to ask for change.
We offer encouragement and active support to applicants with additional needs, including those from ethnic minorities, with disabilities and members of the LGBTQ+ community. If you wish to adjust any aspect of the recruitment process or wish to find out more about our recruitment & selection processes, please get in touch with our Recruitment Manager: [email protected]
We are continually reviewing our recruitment & selection process to support the long-term aim of Sheffield Children's being a champion of Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion. If you have any ideas for improvement, please get in touch with Catherine Gilbert at [email protected]
Trust Values
The Trust is committed to providing great quality patient care and keeping children, young people and families at the heart of what we do by following our CARE values:
- Compassion leading by kindness and showing empathy, understanding and respect
- Accountability striving to do the right thing and owning responsibility
- Respect value differences, tackling inequality and fostering a culture of inclusion
- Excellence delivering a high-quality standard of care
Person Specification
Qualifications and training
Essential
- Good Standard of Education (at least 3 GCSE's at grade C or above (or equivalent inc English Language Essential)
- NVQ Level 3 or equivalent qualification of experience or training
- RSA III Word-processing or equivalent experience
- Comprehensive IT skills including: email, WORD, Excel, Access, Powerpoint, Internet or comparable computer packages
Desirable
- ECDL
- Business or Administrative qualification
- Evidence of further education (Diploma / Degree)
Experience
Essential
- Substantial experience of clerical and administrative office duties
- Experience of working with MS office programmes
- Experience of working with databases
- Experience of working in a team; working in public services / hospitals or caring environment; experience of organising and supporting meetings (e.g. preparing documents for meetings / minute taking)
Desirable
- Experience of working in the NHS or in Academia
- Audio typing experience
- Data Management experience Some experience of supporting office finance (purchasing / invoicing etc)
Knowledge and skills
Essential
- Excellent Written and Oral communication skills
- Excellent organisational skills i.e. arranging and servicing meetings, seminars and study days
- Accurate typing skills, ability to record accurate minutes
- Excellent telephone skills and comprehensive IT skills
- Knowledge of the administrative systems, practices and processes used in a busy office within a large complex organisation
- Excellent time management skills
Desirable
- Knowledge of NHS R&D
Personal Attributes
Essential
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
- Understanding of confidentiality and its importance in the NHS
- Proactive approach, ability to work on own initiative
- Attention to detail and accuracy, methodical and systematic
- Ability to prioritise and plan daily workload to meet deadlines
- Flexible approach to working hours and a willingness to be flexible in the workplace and utilise 'hot-desks' as required
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Certificate of Sponsorship
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Employer details
Employer name
Sheffield Children's NHS Foundation Trust
Address
Sheffield Children's NHS Foundation Trust
Western Bank
Sheffield
S10 2TH
