Research Assistant BCC

Job Summary

This is an exciting opportunity to join our friendly and proactive Oncology research team within the Berkshire Cancer Centre at the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust. We are looking for a highly organised and motivated administrator who enjoys supporting busy teams and ensuring research activity runs smoothly day to day. This role is ideal for someone who thrives in an administrative or coordination role within a healthcare setting – it does not require previous research or academic experience.

• Provide day‑to‑day administrative and clerical support to the research team.
• Maintain accurate study files and records, including correspondence, meeting notes, and data logs.
• Schedule meetings, take minutes, manage diaries, and handle general correspondence.
• Support study start‑up and ongoing maintenance by assisting with document filing, data entry, and communication with clinical areas.
• Organise supplies, stationery, and stock control for research studies.
• Liaise courteously with staff, patients, and external research partners, ensuring confidentiality and professionalism.
• Assist in maintaining finance records, raising purchase orders, and processing invoices where required.
• Support audit and compliance activity, ensuring documentation meets regulatory standards.

The Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust is one of the largest general hospital foundation trusts in the South East. Our Research & Innovation Department is nationally recognised for its breadth and quality of studies.

You'll be joining a welcoming, collaborative, and supportive team where initiative, teamwork, and professional development are encouraged. Informal visits are welcomed and encouraged.

• Date posted: 23 December 2025
• Pay scheme:
  Agenda for change
• Band:
  Band 3
• Salary: £24,937 to £26,598 a year per annum
• Contract:
  
  Fixed term (18 months)
• Working pattern:
  Full‑time
• Reference number: 193‑7588812
  
  COR
• Job location:
  
  Royal Berkshire Hospital, London Road, Reading, RG1 5AN

• Has strong administrative experience, ideally in a healthcare, university, or office environment.
• Enjoys coordinating busy workloads and communicating with a wide range of people.
• Can work accurately and methodically, following set procedures.
• Has good IT skills (Microsoft Office, databases).
• Is keen to support NHS research delivery but not necessarily seeking an academic research career.

• Educated to GCSE level or equivalent with passes at grade C or above.
• NVQ Level 3 or equivalent knowledge and skills gained through any combination of alternative study, employment or voluntary work (2). Willing to undertake further education.
• Previous experience of working in a healthcare setting.
• Proven experience of working within a team.
• Excellent organisation skills.
• Proven ability to prioritise and manage own workload.
• Excellent communication skills – both written and verbal, including courteous telephone manner.
• Proven ability to work on own initiative.
• Able to work flexibly to meet service needs.
• Clear understanding of confidentiality issues – knowledge of Caldicott and GDPR / Data Protection Act requirement.
• Attention to detail.
• Excellent timekeeping and a flexible approach to work. Able to participate with a rotating shift pattern.
• Ability to produce timely accurate and useful information tailored to needs of patients.
• Ability to work across Trust and Network sites as required to deliver the demands of the service.

• RSA Typing Level 2 – 3.
• Educated to Degree level.
• Good Clinical Practice and EU Directive Training.
• Previous experience of administration or clerical work.
• Working knowledge of NHS information systems.
• Experience of clinical audit.
• Knowledge of NHS administrative systems.
• Awareness of Clinical and Research Governance.

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.

Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust
Royal Berkshire Hospital
London Road
Reading
RG1 5AN

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