Research and Development Facilitator

Job Overview

As a Research and Development Facilitator, you’ll play a key role in supporting the successful delivery of the Trust’s Research Governance service.

Working in partnership with local speciality teams, you’ll help turn research opportunities into reality by supporting trial feasibility discussions following national approval processes. You’ll ensure studies are set up and maintained in line with Government targets and national guidance, helping to create an efficient, compliant, and supportive environment for high‑quality clinical research that benefits patients and staff alike.

Main duties of the job

The primary purpose of this post is to support the delivery of a safe, efficient, and timely Research Governance Management service. This includes promoting and facilitating high‑quality research activity within the Trust, ensuring full compliance with the UK Policy Framework for Health and Social Care Research and all relevant statutory requirements. The Trust manages a diverse research portfolio across multiple specialties, funded through both commercial and non‑commercial sources.

The post holder will work closely with the Research Governance Manager, providing high‑level administrative support to maintain a professional and effective research governance service. A key aspect of the role is to support study delivery teams and develop strong working relationships with existing and new research partners and sponsors, contributing to the growth of the Trust’s research activity.

The role will also act as a liaison between the Trust, the NIHR South West Central Regional Research Delivery Network (SWC RRDN), and research sponsors, supporting a consistent and streamlined approach to research management for NIHR portfolio studies. The post holder should demonstrate a strong commitment to research and its role in advancing high‑quality, ethical healthcare.

Working for our organisation

We are proud to be part of BSW Hospitals Group - a formal partnership between the Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust, Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Salisbury NHS Foundation Trust. With a combined workforce of over 17, 600 colleagues, and budget of 1.6 billion the Group is united by a common purpose to deliver the best possible care to over 1 million people.

We are creating a health and care system that works with the people we care for, reducing the differences people currently face in access, experience and outcomes, improving the experience of our colleagues and tackling shared challenges like sustainability and finances. Every improvement we make across our Group will be guided by what creates the greatest benefit for our colleagues, our patients, our communities and our partners.

By working together, we make a real difference for our patients, each other, and our community. Every role matters in delivering the exceptional, person‑centred care we’re proud of.

We’re committed to a compassionate, inclusive culture where kindness is championed, differences are valued, and diversity makes us stronger.

We want to support you to thrive, taking your career to its full potential. We prioritise staff wellbeing – and yes, we even have a pool!

Discover what it’s like to live and work in Bath, explore our RUH staff benefits, and learn how we’re building healthcare for the future through the Dyson Cancer Centre and our commitment to research.

Detailed Job Description And Main Responsibilities

Please see the attached job description and person specification

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria

• A minimum of 6 GCSEs including Mathematics & English, IT skills/ECDL equivalent (Or able to demonstrate the equivalent level of experience)

Desirable criteria

• BTEC Level 3 or GNVQ Level 3 or A levels in relevant discipline or equivalent Undergraduate degree in relevant discipline or relevant experience Good Clinical Practice (GCP)

Experience

Essential criteria

• Experience of working in a research environment (Healthcare, University or Industry)

Desirable criteria

• Experience of working within a research governance role
• Experience of managing a group of staff or a team

Skills

Essential criteria

• Attention to detail
• Skills in key applications of word, power-point, excel and email
• Good knowledge of research governance and the processes involved with gaining NHS approval

Please note - Due to recent changes in UK immigration and visa rules applicants who do not currently have the right to work in the UK may not be considered unless an alternative right to work solution can be provided. Candidates requiring sponsorship (or will need sponsorship at the end of a current visa e.g. those with graduate visa's) should review the eligibility criteria on the gov.uk website before applying: Prove your right to work to an employer: Overview - GOV.UK

Applicant requirements

This post will require a submission for Disclosure to be made to check for any unspent criminal convictions.

Documents to download

• Research Governance Facilitator JD (PDF, 379.0KB)
• Join the RUH (PDF, 1.3MB)

Further details / informal visits contact

Name Amy Lloyd Job title Research Governance Manager Email address ***email_hidden*** Telephone number 01225 821896