Research Operational Lead | Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust

Posting date:	04 September 2025
Salary:	Not specified
Additional salary information:	£64,455 - £74,896 per annum, pro rata
Hours:	Full time
Closing date:	04 October 2025
Location:	Manchester, M13 9WU
Company:	Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust
Job type:	Contract
Job reference:	7431412/349-RES-7431412-RL4

Summary

We are looking to recruit a Research Operational Lead (ROL) for 1 year to cover maternity leave of the current post-holder. The post-holder will join our research operational team working alongside a Research Operational Lead with the management of the Senior Research Operational Managers (SROMs) across Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT), primarily to support and develop areas of strategic importance in the current climate. The role will take lead responsibility for the grant activity across MFT and associated studies and will be the Operational Lead of the new Childrens Health Research Institute. Our aim is to align our Research ambitions to the highly specialist clinical services that we offer across MFT. We want to further engage with our local community and offer research opportunities to all. We are looking for an ambitious senior manager who can make an impact for the benefit of our patients by working with colleagues across the Greater Manchester Ecosystem to



The Trust is committed to working together to improve the health and quality of life of our diverse communities. One of the five pillars of the MFT strategy is to deliver world class research and innovation that improves peoples lives. The Trust is highly committed to embedding research and innovation into its core business and to be able to offer patients the potential to be recruited to appropriate research studies (as per the NHS Constitution).





The research operational delivery teams led by the ROLs across MFT, support grant applications, oversee project approvals, manage finances to maintain and build capacity for research delivery, work to deliver against national metrics for sponsored and hosted studies.



The ROLs troubleshoot issues across MFT working with appropriate colleagues to find a resolution so we can deliver research efficiently and for the benefit of our patients.



Within R&I we’re keen to support and develop our staff and have a robust education and training programme to standardise the delivery and outputs. We recognise the value in nurturing and enabling our workforce.



This work involves close and frequent interaction with other internal stakeholders such as the Research Office, NIHR infrastructure colleagues, clinical services across the Trust, Clinical Group senior leadership teams and external bodies such as the University of Manchester, Manchester Metropolitan University, contract research organisations and commercial companies.



We need a senior manager who can focus on detail as well as the wider context to ensure that our high standards in health research are maintained and we continue to progress in the range of services we provide. Please also refer to the Person Specification to confirm the essential and desirable knowledge and skills required for this post.





MFT is one of the largest NHS Trust In England with a turnover of over £3bn & is on a different scale than most other NHS Trusts. We’re creating an exceptional integrated health & social care system for the 1 million patients who rely on our services every year.

Bringing together 10 hospitals & community services from across Manchester, Trafford & beyond, we champion collaborative working & transformation, encouraging our 30,000 workforce to pursue their most ambitious goals. We set standards that other Trusts seek to emulate so you’ll benefit from a scale of opportunity that is nothing short of extraordinary.

We’ve also created a digitally enabled organisation to improve clinical quality, patient & staff experience, operational effectiveness & driving research, and innovation through the introduction of Hive; our Electronic Patient Record system which launched in September 2022.

We’re proud to be a major academic Research Centre & Education provider, providing you with a robust infrastructure to encourage and facilitate high-quality research programmes. What’s more, we’re excited to be embarking on our Green Plan which sets out how MFT continues to play its part in making healthcare more sustainable.

At MFT, we create and foster a culture of inclusion and belonging, provide equal opportunities for career development that are fair, open, and transparent, protecting your health and wellbeing and shaping the future of our organisation together.

To find out more about the key responsibilities and the specific skills and experience you’ll need, take a look at the Job Description & Person Specification attachments under the ‘Supporting Documents’ heading. So that you’re even more equipped to make an informed decision to apply to us, you’ll need to take time to read the ‘Candidate Essentials Guide’that sits with the Job Description and Person Specification. This document provides you with details about the Trust, our benefits and outlines how ‘we care for you as you care for others’. Most importantly, it also contains critical information you’ll need to be aware of before you submit an application form.

Diversity Matters

MFT is committed to promoting equality of opportunity, celebrating, and valuing diversity and eliminating any form of unlawful discrimination across our workforce, ensuring our people are truly representative of the communities we serve. All individuals regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation are encouraged to apply for this post.As an inclusive employer, we are here to support you. If you have any special requirements to help you with your application, email our team atresourcing@mft.nhs.uk.

We’re looking forward to hearing from you!


This advert closes on Thursday 18 Sep 2025

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