Job vacancy: Research Contracts Specialist, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford

Job summary

Main area: Research Contracts Specialist
Grade: NHS AfC: Band 6
Contract: Fixed term: 24 months
Hours: Full time - 37.5 hours per week (Monday to Friday hybrid working)
Job ref: 321-CORP-6379960-B6-PUB

Employer: Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type: NHS
Site: OUH Cowley
Town: Oxford
Salary: £35,392 - £42,618 per annum pro rata
Salary period: Yearly
Closing: 16/07/2024 23:59

Research Contracts Specialist

NHS AfC: Band 6

Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is one of the largest NHS teaching trusts in the country. It provides a wide range of general and specialist clinical services and is a base for medical education, training and research.

The Trust comprises of four hospitals - the John Radcliffe Hospital, Churchill Hospital and Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre in Headington and the Horton General Hospital in Banbury.

Our values, standards and behaviours define the quality of clinical care we offer and the professional relationships we make with our patients, colleagues and the wider community. We call this Delivering Compassionate Excellence and its focus is on our values of compassion, respect, learning, delivery, improvement and excellence. These values put patients at the heart of what we do and underpin the quality healthcare we would like for ourselves or a member of our family. Watch how we set out to deliver compassionate excellence via the OUH YouTube channel.

Many of our recruitment programmes use Value Based Interviewing to identify those who have the skills we seek, who share our values and who are able to deliver compassionate excellence from the outset. We know that this makes a significant difference to your job satisfaction and above all the outcomes and experience of our patients and their families. For more information about our Values and Value Based Interviewing please visit www.ouh.nhs.uk/about/vision-and-values

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Scrutinising and negotiating research-related contracts on behalf of the OUH.
Liaising with researchers, clinicians and the relevant administrators to keep them informed and seek their advice as to risks and benefits of the contract terms.
After consultation with the Head of IP and Research Contracts, working with the OUH or University of Oxford Legal Services team on the drafting of contractual language to meet the needs of particular negotiations or seeking advice on particular issues.
Keeping comprehensive records of each stage of the negotiations. Seeking advice from Head of IP and Research Contracts and other team members where appropriate.
Taking part in regular team meetings to review cases, and monitor caseload and completion times.
Preparing the final briefing note requesting signature of agreements, setting out key terms and any risks or issues.
Answering enquiries about OUH’s research-related policies and procedures, and providing advice to researchers, departmental administrators and sponsors on funding and contractual matters (in relation, for example, to the costing and pricing of research at Oxford, IP management, etc).
Liaising within the OUH Research & Development team on issues relating to finance, regulation and governance, the University’s Research Grants specialists on questions relating to research grant applications and the terms/conditions set down by funding agencies.
Ensuring the set-up of awards within OUH financial system, working with Research & Development Finance Team on OUH set-up and post-award issues.
Following procedures for the effective management of IP arising out of research contracts, liaising with the Head of IP and Research Contracts and the University of Oxford’s IP Right’s Management Team, in connection with the commercialisation of research through Oxford University Innovation Limited.
Arranging meetings, preparing agenda papers, recording minutes and producing action notes in connection with the work of the office.
Dealing with enquiries and requests for information and preparing draft correspondence on behalf of the Head of IP and Research Contracts, the Director of R&D or his/her deputies as required.
Contributing to the development of OUH policy as it relates to the external funding of research, and drafting briefing notes for senior officers and/or papers for OUH’s governing bodies in this area.

Other duties as assigned by the Head of IP and Research Contracts, or Research Contract Manager when the need arises.

The post is part of a small team working on research related contracts, grants and innovation within OUH R&D as part of the JRO. The team operates a hybrid on-site/off-site approach to working but is based at OUH Cowley when on-site. In addition, face-to-face contact may be required with Oxford University and other Oxford JRO partners at their locations. Work at other OUH sites may also be required from time to time.

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria

University degree (or equivalent).
Knowledge of research administration, including an understanding of research grant funding in the UK universities and / or the NHS and ideally experience in the administration of research grants or contracts.

Desirable criteria

A scientific background or qualification, preferably at the post-graduate level and ideally in the Life or Clinical sciences.

Experience and Skills

Essential criteria

In depth knowledge of information analysis and research techniques acquired through degree or equivalent plus additional knowledge of project management.
An ability to analyse, interpret and resolve highly complex problems where they may not be precedence and where opinions conflict.
An ability to respond effectively to detailed written documentation
Ability to communicate complex and sensitive information very effectively with team members, clients and senior colleagues as well as external stakeholders in writing and orally in English to a very high standard and to present a coherent argument.
Experience of working with budgets and (following training) the facility to cost and price research using Full Economic Costing and UKCRN or equivalent methodologies
Sound IT skills are required, and the successful applicant should be able to use email, word processing packages, spreadsheets, the internet, and computer databases.

Personal Qualitites

Essential criteria

An organised, unflappable, yet flexible approach to working to deadlines under pressure
Proven ability to prioritise a heavy and varied workload and to keep track of a large volume of ongoing projects.
An aptitude for solving problems.
An ability to work well as part of a small close-knit team.

COVID-19: The COVID-19 vaccination remains the best way to protect yourself, your family, your colleagues and of course our patients from the virus when working in our healthcare settings. Whilst COVID-19 vaccination is not a condition of employment , we do encourage our staff to get vaccinated. If you are unvaccinated there is helpful advice and information at Oxfordshire County Council Website where you can also find out more about how to access vaccination.

Nursing and Midwifery: For candidates applying from outside the UK: Please be advised that we work in partnership with Envertiz who will be managing your recruitment therefore by applying you are consenting to us passing your contact details and application to Envertiz so they can manage your recruitment and on-boarding. If you do not consent to this, please do not apply.

Probation Period: This post is subject to a 6 month probationary period. If you currently hold a contract of employment with the Oxford University Hospitals, this will not apply. This statement does not apply to Medical staff or Executive Appointments.

Referencing: When providing employment reference details please provide correct work related email addresses so references can be sought promptly when we are looking to progress your application. Your first referee will need to be your line manager, supervisor or clinical lead from your current or most recent post or place of study. Please note that if you have previously worked for the Trust we will require a reference from your last Manager, this information is essential if your offer of employment is to be confirmed.

Next Steps: Please make sure that you read the job description and person specification, and that your supporting statement reflects this as your application will be judged against these criteria. Candidates selected for interview will be contacted after the short-listing process, usually within 2 weeks. (Please note that shortlisting times vary when applying for a Medical position within the Trust). The majority of correspondence will be via the e-recruitment system; therefore you should check your emails regularly including junk mail folders in web-based email products.

No unsolicited recruitment agency telephone calls or emails.