CRN Wessex & AHSN Wessex Research and Innovation Associate

Job content

Job OverviewAn exciting opportunity has arisen in the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), Clinical Research Network (CRN), Wessex and Wessex Academic Health Science Network (AHSN) for a Research and Innovation Associate.You will lead on the development of diagnostic tests and medical devices research methodologies and protocols in collaboration with Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). Specifically, you will be responsible for supporting funding applications, facilitating the development, set up and coordination of technology related studies.You will divide your time between the CRN Wessex offices in Hedge End and the Wessex AHSN in Chilworth and other organisations in the local network.You will be the local liaison between investigators, study sponsors, NHS sites, CRN and AHSN management team and the NIHR Clinical Research Network Coordinating Centre (CRN CC) to ensure that the CRN supports diagnostic tests and medical devices research, delivered in a consistent and reliable manner.The post is suitable for someone who works well under pressure, possesses excellent interpersonal and communication skills combining sensitivity and empathy, and able to work independently, as well as a member of a team. This post offers the opportunity for personal and professional development and ongoing education.Main duties of the jobTo understand the role in more detail, please read the full job description and person specification documents attached.You can read an overview of the main duties of the role in the section below: Job description and main responsibilitiesWorking for our organisationAs one of the largest acute teaching Trusts in England, we offer learning and development opportunities to help you achieve the career you aspire to. UHS is rated ‘Good’ by the CQC and in the latest national NHS Staff Survey, we were in the top 10 acute trusts for staff engagement and for staff recommending the hospital as a place to work or receive care.At UHS we are committed to providing a flexible working environment. We believe that it benefits everyone if we achieve a positive work-life balance. Whether you are balancing family, study, or your wellbeing with your career, we want to support you so you can help our patients.We’re proud to have been voted in the Top Five acute Trusts for our commitment to supporting our staff to achieve work-life balance.UHS employees are able to access a range of NHS discounts, are entitled to a minimum of 35 days paid holiday (pro rata), and we offer a generous pension scheme and life insurance.Your ResponsibilitiesDetailed job description and main responsibilitiesWhat You’ll DoCoordinate the project management of the applications included in the Technology Support Programme 2:

• Initial design, documentation and set up
• On-going management and co-ordination of the organisations running the projects
• Data collection
• Project evaluation
• Report writing
• Maintaining project risk registers

You will be the liaison between SME, investigators, study sponsors, NHS sites, and the NIHR CRN Coordinating Centre (CC) to ensure that the Wessex CRN and AHSN support research with SMEs in a consistent and reliable mannerWhat We’re Looking ForWe’re looking for a skilled professional to join our team and help drive MedTech research across the Wessex region, which covers Dorset, Hampshire, south Wiltshire and the Isle of Wight.This is an exciting opportunity for someone with a strong record in project management, stakeholder engagement and clinical research to work with local health and care partners to grow the research in Wessex.This post is suitable for an innovative, collaborative and confident person, with experience of working on clinical trials of medical devices and funding applications.Since its establishment in April 2006, the NIHR has transformed research in the NHS. It has increased the volume of applied health research for the benefit of patients and the public, driven faster translation of basic science discoveries into tangible benefits for patients and the economy, and developed and supported the people who conduct and contribute to applied health research.The NIHR Clinical Research Network is the clinical research delivery arm of the NHS in England, tasked with supporting the rapid set-up and effective conduct of studies, so that researchers can gather the robust evidence needed to improve treatments for NHS patients.The NIHR Clinical Research Network is led by a national Coordinating Centre and operates through 15 Local Clinical Research Networks (LCRNs) - Wessex Clinical Research Network is one of these LCRNs. These local Networks drive health and care research delivery performance across their localities and champion the role of research across the health and care system at every level.Additional InformationInterviews will be held on Friday, 07 July 2023Should you have any queries, please use the contact details below to get in touch.Person specificationQualificationsEssential criteria

• Evidence of continuing professional development
• ICH/GCP Trained
• PhD or Masters with substantial appropriate experience.
• Knowledge of the local (Wessex) organisations and structures
• Understanding of biotech and medical technologies
• Understanding of the health and social care environment.

Desirable criteria

• PhD or Masters with substantial appropriate experience

ExperienceEssential criteria

• Substantial experience in either a relevant quantitative/qualitative discipline, in a relevant health science discipline or biomedical statistics
• Experience in clinical studies/trials of clinical tests and medical devices
• Experience of clinical research including in designing studies, analysis, reporting and dissemination
• Experience in writing funding applications
• Experience of organising own research activities to deadline and quality standards
• Effective leadership and team building skills
• Experience of working with front line clinical teams

Desirable criteria

• Experience in study design and quantitative/ qualitative analytic methods relevant to evaluating diagnostic tests and medical devices – e.g. diagnostic accuracy, decision analysis, and economic modelling
• Knowledge of the regulatory requirements for research evaluating clinical tests and medical devices.
• Experience with involving/engaging patients and the public in research
• Evidence of completed research and published research projects
• Recent NHS experience

SkillsEssential criteria

• Demonstrate a good understanding and application of study design, and statistical and/or health economic methods in the evaluation of clinical tests and medical devices
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and administrative skills
• High level of analytical and problem-solving capability
• Able to communicate complex information with clarity and to encourage the commitment of others
• Able to complete work on time, to budget, and meeting all appropriate milestones
• Able to work under own initiative and independently outside the department without direct supervision
• Able to prioritise tasks and cope with deadlines
• Ability to work flexibly
• Able to understand complex problems and apply in-dept knowledge to address them
• Able to analyse and critique complex information for the purpose of evaluation
• A good understanding of project risk management practices
• Experience of promoting findings and outcomes through a range of media and communication channels
• Good interpersonal, communication, organisation and time management skills
• Ability to remain calm under pressure
• Shows ability to manage personal emotions and stress
• Flexibility, reliability and initiative
• Ability to adjust to pressures of job
• Willingness to undertake further training
• Patience, dependability and motivation
• Be able to take instruction / directions
• Ability to act and ensure delivery
• Effective communicator, team player and leader
• Can communicate new and complex information enthusiastically, both verbally and in writing, to engage interest from different audiences

Special RequirementsEssential criteria

• Ability and willingness to travel locally
• Ability to attend training courses and meetings on and off site.
• Ability to travel across Wessex (preferably with driving licence and car)
• Occasional flexibility in hours worked e.g. may be occasional evening meetings
• Close working relationship with senior doctors/nurses
• Able to deal with potential distressing situations
• Ability to work in a large busy open plan office

Desirable criteria

• Aware of the ethical, governance, and regulatory issues involved in clinical research

ValuesEssential Criteria

• Able to demonstrate behaviours that meet the Trust Values Patients First
• Able to demonstrate behaviours that meet the Trust Values Always Improving
• Able to demonstrate behaviours that meet the Trust Values Working Together