Senior Research and Innovation Project Facilitator
Job summary
Senior Research and Innovation Project Facilitator Division: Medical Directorate Care Group: Corporate Band: Band 6 Salary: £39,959 - £48,117 per annum pro rata Interview Date: week commencing 09 November 2026 The Senior Research & Innovation (R&I) Project Facilitator supports the development and delivery of the Trust's homegrown research and innovation portfolio.
The role works closely with clinical and non-clinical staff to develop high-quality research, academic and service innovation projects, ensuring that appropriate regulatory and governance requirements are met. The postholder will provide support throughout the research lifecycle, including developing study protocols and other research documentation, supporting regulatory submissions, identifying funding opportunities, and coordinating projects.
They will work collaboratively with internal teams and external partners, including academic institutions, research networks, NHS organisations and commercial organisations. The role also contributes to promoting the Trust's research and innovation activities and supports the Head of R&I and Lead R&I Project Facilitator in delivering the Trust's R&I strategy and wider national research objectives.
Main duties of the job
Support and develop homegrown Research and Innovation (R&I) within the Trust. Provide support to Trust staff to develop their ideas into a high-quality research projects. Prepare and write R&I projects and their 'prerequisites' such as evaluations and audits. Advise and aid Trust staff in all aspects of obtaining local and regulatory approvals.
Provide expert advice and support to individuals, both within the Trust and from external organisations wishing to undertake research involving the Trust Build and maintain relationships, internally and externally, to provide more research opportunities for patients, carers, service users, and staff.
Engage in relevant meetings such as the Monthly General Meeting, Research Operational Group (ROG), and Research and Innovation Governance Group meeting (RIGG), and be a point of contact for staff and potential co-applicants. With relevant oversight, support, and manage Trust Intellectual Property (IP) projects. Promote R&I within the Trust and to the public. Actively engage inmonitoring and/or auditing of Trust's R&I projects.
Provide relevant information and reports as required. Support the Head of R&I and the Lead R&I Project Facilitator in their responsibilities. Work as part of the R&I Team.
About us
Do you have the ambition and vision to deliver our mission of the Best of Care by the Best of People providing excellent care, every time ? Here at Medway, we pride ourselves on working together as one to ensure that our shared vision is achieved for our patients. As a key partner in the healthcare of our local population, we are keen to deliver this as an outcome of our Trust-wide strategy - Patient First.
Using an Operational Excellence approach to align our priorities and operational management structures, we are just over a year and half into our Patient First deployment. We are looking for creative, skilled people to join our Transformation Team and further support us on this journey. Our culture and values define us here at Medway NHS Foundation Trust and are the heartbeat of who we are as an organisation.
Our BEST values underpin Patient First and are at the core of the care we give to our patients, the support we offer to our staff and our overall leadership approach: B - Bold E - Every person counts S - Sharing and open T - Together Our Trust is a great choice for people who want to develop their career in an ambitious and dynamic environment; our employees are able to choose the coverage and supplemental benefits that best fit their needs and those of their families.
This includes the promotion of flexible working opportunities across the Trust.
Job responsibilities
Senior Research & Innovation (R&I) Project Facilitator will be responsible for coordination, and facilitation for homegrown research projects throughout the organisation. The individual in this position will be involved in driving the development, establishment, and execution of high-quality clinical, academic, and service innovation studies.
It is essential to ensure that all activities comply with relevant regulations while also supporting the Trusts strategic agenda. The projects play a significant role in what is referred to as the Trust's 'homegrown research.' They serve as evidence of the advanced research and innovation culture that has been embedded within the Trust over recent years.
The Senior R&I Project Facilitator plays a crucial role in overseeing collaboration with both medical and non-medical staff within the Trust, including consultants, Nurses, and Allied Health Professionals (AHPs). Additionally, they engage with external stakeholders, including commercial companies, academic institutions, and Research Design Services.
This position involves conducting thorough research on assigned projects, which includes internet-based research, reviewing provided materials, journal articles, and study reports. The facilitator is responsible for drafting a wide range of documents, including clinical study protocols, clinical study reports, funding applications, and summary documents.
The individual in this role will provide guidance and support through all the stages of the research and innovation process. This includes developing protocols, coordinating the draft and submission of applications to regulatory bodies, and identifying appropriate funding opportunities. Collaboration with academic partners, research networks, and various NHS organisations will be essential to ensure a comprehensive approach.
Promoting and representing Trust research and innovation is a crucial aspect of the role. The Senior R&I Project Facilitator will be expected to support and engage in various related activities actively. The involvement not only enhances the visibility of Trusts initiatives but also fosters collaboration and knowledge sharing within the organisation and with external stakeholders.
By participating in these activities, the Senior R&I Project Facilitator helps to build a strong foundation for innovative projects and research efforts. The post holder will support the Head of R&I and the Lead R&I Project Facilitator in implementing the Trusts R&I strategy and fulfilling the national goals.
This department is committed to adhering to national, local, and contractual deadlines, and the postholder is expected to play a key role in meeting these targets. Key Duties and Responsibilities 1. Project Management Facilitate the planning, initiation, and management of complex multidisciplinary R&I homegrown projects is essential for driving progress from concept to completion.
This involves a thorough understanding of project goals and the ability to navigate various challenges that may arise throughout the process. Ensure that projects meet agreed milestones, deliverables, and financial targets. It is crucial to establish clear objectives and maintain open lines of communication among all team members. Regular progress assessments and adjustments to the project plan to keep everything on track.
Coordinate cross-departmental collaborations, as well as fostering academic and industry partnerships, which are vital for the success of these projects. Engage with external stakeholders to provide additional insights and resources, enhancing the overall impact and effectiveness of the R&I efforts. 2.
Research Governance & Compliance Oversee ethics, regulatory, and governance submissions to ensure compliance with standards such as HRA, MHRA, and IRAS. This involves a thorough understanding of Good Clinical Practice (GCP) and General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) requirements to safeguard participants' rights and data integrity. Monitor project performance closely.
This includes assessing risks and quality throughout the project lifecycle. When issues arise, taking timely corrective action to keep the project on track and maintain high standards 3. Innovation & Service Development Develop project budgets and ensure resources are allocated effectively. Once the budget is established, secure funding through various means such as grants, sponsorships, or internal funding sources.
Monitor expenditure throughout the project lifecycle. Regularly review financial reports to ensure that spending aligns with the budget and avoid overspending. Be proactive to keep the project on track financially and build trust with stakeholders.
Person Specification
Qualifications · Essential
Master's degree or equivalent experience in health, life sciences, or related field. Preferably a PhD in Health Science, Nursing, or other relevant subject, or working towards it, or a professional research qualification.
Experience · Essential
Experience in literature review, reading ,understanding medical articles, and publishing Experience in conducting formal project evaluations and/or research projects Experience of working in an NHS setting or other substantial research environment Experience of contributing to funding or grant applications
Skills · Essential
Proven publication record Demonstrated ability to clearly present complex and sensitive information to a range of audiences in written and oral form, i.e., reports and presentations Able to manage complex projects, assessing and taking account of known risks, and able to adapt to changes and problems along the way. Proficient in delivering training to internal and external organisations Effective knowledge management skills with the ability to collate and critically appraise evidence
Knowledge · Essential
In-depth Knowledge of Clinical Research Governance Framework In-depth Knowledge of Good Clinical Practices In-depth Knowledge of Health Research Authority (HRA) and innovation pathways. Experience in intellectual property and commercialisation. Knowledge of Medicines for Human Use Regulations and legislation regarding safety reporting, and pharmacovigilance
Values · Essential
Takes responsibility and sees tasks through to completion
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.
