Job summary
Trial Admin Assistant
Department: Research and Development
Band 3 £25,760 - £27,476 per annum
Hours: 37.5 per week, all MKUH roles will be considered for flexible working
Milton Keynes University Hospital (MKUH) is seeking an organised, proactive Trial Admin Assistant to join our dynamic Research & Development (R&D) Team.
This is an excellent opportunity for someone looking to begin or develop a career in clinical research administration within a supportive and collaborative environment.
In this role, you'll play a vital part in enabling high quality clinical research by providing administrative support across the full lifecycle of research studies - including study setup, recruitment, documentation management, and close out.
You will help maintain accurate and compliant trial documentation, support archiving activities, coordinate meetings, and communicate effectively with internal teams, clinicians, external sponsors, and research partners.
Your day to day work will include handling queries, maintaining electronic and paper site files, preparing documents for monitoring visits, updating databases such as the Local Portfolio Management System (LPMS), and supporting adherence to Good Clinical Practice (GCP) and UK research governance standards. Strong IT skills, attention to detail, and the ability to prioritise in a busy environment are essential.
Please note that we are not able to offer sponsorship for this role.
Interview 05 May 2026
Main duties of the job
'Administrative and Clerical staff feel supported with flexible working at MKUH, reporting 6.82 out of 10, and a 76% feel strongly about approaching their managers regarding flexible working.' NHS Staff Survey 2024
'We care We communicate We collaborate We contribute'
The post holder will work as part of the Research and Development (R&D) Team to support the safe conduct of research in accordance with the UK Policy Framework for Health and Social Care Research and Good Clinical Practice (GCP) guidelines.
To support and facilitate the administrative processes and practices of R&D, ensuring studies are set-up, maintained and closed down in accordance with the departmental and Trust standards as defined by the Trust policies and EU legislative requirements.
To provide archiving support to the department, ensuring studies are archived in accordance with the Trust Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
To provide support for core administrative duties within the R&D department as required.
About us
Milton Keynes University Hospital, in proud partnership with the University of Buckingham, is a University Teaching Hospital committed to advancing patient care through cutting-edge research and education. With a "Good" rating from the CQC and significant investment underway, this is an exciting time to join our team and grow your career.
As a medium sized general hospital, we provide a full range of general medical and surgical services, including a busy Emergency Department, Maternity, and Paediatrics. As the population of our city and surrounding areas continues to grow rapidly, we are expanding and enhancing our facilities to meet rising demand and improve access to care for all our communities.
We are also proud to offer a growing portfolio of specialist services. In January 2025 we opened our state-of-the-art Radiotherapy Centre, bringing advanced cancer treatment closer to home. Our services also include neonatology, specialist surgical care, and a wide range of diagnostics, supported by the new Community Diagnostic Centre at Whitehouse Health Centre.
Further investment is underway, including the construction of Oak Wards - a new ward block featuring two 24-bed wards - and the recently approved Women and Children's Centre, set to open by 2030.
Visit our website to explore the latest news and opportunities at MKUH - News - Milton Keynes University Hospital -
For further information about Milton Keynes please visit - Visit Milton Keynes
Job description
Job responsibilities
Research Study Administration
The post holder will assist with the administration of research projects within R&D in conjunction with the Trial Administrator and Research Governance Coordinators/Officers. Close liaison is required between these parties as well as with the Research Clinical Team and support service departments across the Trust, and external study sponsors. They will provide administrative assistance in the set-up, recruitment, close-out and archiving of studies in line with Trust policies, SOPs and GCP.
Communication
The postholder will liaise closely with R&D colleagues, members of staff from other departments within the Trust, drug companies, device companies, academic organisations, CROs and other NHS Trusts.
Communication will involve the use of email, telephone, face-to-face, video conferencing and the use of shared calendars and drives. The postholder will handle communications in a polite and professional manner and take appropriate action as required e.g., taking messages, and referring to the relevant person. They will be comfortable communicating across all levels of staff from internal departments and externally. There will be a requirement to arrange R&D meetings and external meetings, including booking rooms, preparing agendas, and taking minutes as required. The post holder will exchange information with staff on a variety of departmental matters and procedures, manage cultural or language difficulties, and communicate complicated administrative information to staff from other departments and/or external contacts.
Planning and organization
To work on their own initiative to deal with incoming emails and telephone queries, ensuring all relevant information is brought to the attention of the relevant staff to ensure appropriate action is taken. Be responsible for office equipment; orders and maintains office supplies and stationery.
The conduct of clinical research requires strict version control of documentation; this must be always understood and adhered to, such as when maintaining Investigator Site Files (ISF).
Standards
The post holder is required to demonstrate knowledge of standards for clinical research including UK Policy Framework for Health and Social Care Research andGood Clinical Practice as outlined in the Trusts Research Management and Governance Policy.
The post holder may highlight departmental procedures and policies, and demonstrate administrative and secretarial duties to new starters, less experienced staff and students/work experience placements.
Administrative duties
The post holder will be required to provide and deliver a high standard of administrative support to the R&D Department including file maintenance, word processing of correspondence, documents, and emails.
Uses various software packages including Microsoft Word, Excel, MS Teams and PowerPoint to complete tasks.
Please refer to the Job Description for further details
Job description
Job responsibilities
Research Study Administration
The post holder will assist with the administration of research projects within R&D in conjunction with the Trial Administrator and Research Governance Coordinators/Officers. Close liaison is required between these parties as well as with the Research Clinical Team and support service departments across the Trust, and external study sponsors. They will provide administrative assistance in the set-up, recruitment, close-out and archiving of studies in line with Trust policies, SOPs and GCP.
Communication
The postholder will liaise closely with R&D colleagues, members of staff from other departments within the Trust, drug companies, device companies, academic organisations, CROs and other NHS Trusts.
Communication will involve the use of email, telephone, face-to-face, video conferencing and the use of shared calendars and drives. The postholder will handle communications in a polite and professional manner and take appropriate action as required e.g., taking messages, and referring to the relevant person. They will be comfortable communicating across all levels of staff from internal departments and externally. There will be a requirement to arrange R&D meetings and external meetings, including booking rooms, preparing agendas, and taking minutes as required. The post holder will exchange information with staff on a variety of departmental matters and procedures, manage cultural or language difficulties, and communicate complicated administrative information to staff from other departments and/or external contacts.
Planning and organization
To work on their own initiative to deal with incoming emails and telephone queries, ensuring all relevant information is brought to the attention of the relevant staff to ensure appropriate action is taken. Be responsible for office equipment; orders and maintains office supplies and stationery.
The conduct of clinical research requires strict version control of documentation; this must be always understood and adhered to, such as when maintaining Investigator Site Files (ISF).
Standards
The post holder is required to demonstrate knowledge of standards for clinical research including UK Policy Framework for Health and Social Care Research andGood Clinical Practice as outlined in the Trusts Research Management and Governance Policy.
The post holder may highlight departmental procedures and policies, and demonstrate administrative and secretarial duties to new starters, less experienced staff and students/work experience placements.
Administrative duties
The post holder will be required to provide and deliver a high standard of administrative support to the R&D Department including file maintenance, word processing of correspondence, documents, and emails.
Uses various software packages including Microsoft Word, Excel, MS Teams and PowerPoint to complete tasks.
Please refer to the Job Description for further details
Person Specification
Qualifications and knowledge
Essential
- 2 A-levels/ NVQ level 3 or equivalent
- Evidence of administrative knowledge and IT skills
- Good verbal and written. communication skills
- Knowledge of Microsoft Office, in particular Microsoft Word, Excel and Teams
Desirable
- Knowledge of Good Clinical Practice
Experience
Essential
- Experience in office administrative duties and IT
- Experience of working within a team environment
Desirable
- Experience working within the NHS setting
- Clinical research trials experience
Skills
Essential
- Evidence of a good standard of literacy/English Language skills
- Able to work calmly and effectively under pressure
- Able to use initiative within the scope of the job, whilst recognizing and working within professional boundaries
- Accuracy and attention to detail
- Good planning and organizational skills
- Able to manage own time, prioritizing workload appropriately
- Ability to work as part of a team and interdisciplinary working
Desirable
- Ability to generate reports and extract information from a database
- An understanding of medical terminology
Personal and people development
Essential
- Professional attitude to work
- Professional and courteous manner, approachable
- Demonstrable commitment to personal and professional development
- The desire to educate others within the department and share best practice
- Flexible approach
- Smart Appearance
- Good health/attendance records
Communication
Essential
- Able to communicate effectively, confidently and tactfully with colleagues and external teams
- Able to work as part of a team
Desirable
Person Specification
Qualifications and knowledge
Essential
- 2 A-levels/ NVQ level 3 or equivalent
- Evidence of administrative knowledge and IT skills
- Good verbal and written. communication skills
- Knowledge of Microsoft Office, in particular Microsoft Word, Excel and Teams
Desirable
- Knowledge of Good Clinical Practice
Experience
Essential
- Experience in office administrative duties and IT
- Experience of working within a team environment
Desirable
- Experience working within the NHS setting
- Clinical research trials experience
Skills
Essential
- Evidence of a good standard of literacy/English Language skills
- Able to work calmly and effectively under pressure
- Able to use initiative within the scope of the job, whilst recognizing and working within professional boundaries
- Accuracy and attention to detail
- Good planning and organizational skills
- Able to manage own time, prioritizing workload appropriately
- Ability to work as part of a team and interdisciplinary working
Desirable
- Ability to generate reports and extract information from a database
- An understanding of medical terminology
Personal and people development
Essential
- Professional attitude to work
- Professional and courteous manner, approachable
- Demonstrable commitment to personal and professional development
- The desire to educate others within the department and share best practice
- Flexible approach
- Smart Appearance
- Good health/attendance records
Communication
Essential
- Able to communicate effectively, confidently and tactfully with colleagues and external teams
- Able to work as part of a team
Desirable
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.
