Research Project Manager | The Christie NHS Foundation Trust

Posting date:	26 March 2026
Salary:	Not specified
Additional salary information:	£38,682 - £46,580 Per annum, Pro rata
Hours:	Full time
Closing date:	25 April 2026
Location:	Manchester, M20 4BX
Company:	The Christie NHS Foundation Trust
Job type:	Permanent
Job reference:	7900494/413-103235-RI-DA

Summary

This is an exciting opportunity to join the Advanced Immunotherapy and Cellular Therapy Team as a Research Portfolio Manager – Head Clinical Trials Coordinator. The Christie NHS Foundation Trust is an international leader in cancer research and development. The Advanced Immunotherapy and Cellular Therapy Team supports a number of both Advanced immunotherapy and Cellular Therapy commercial and investigator-led clinical trials.

We are seeking an enthusiastic, motivated and experienced individual who will lead a team of clinical trial coordinators, ensuring trial set up is efficient and that day to day trial administration activities are performed to the highest standards. You will be responsible for line managing clinical trials coordinators as well as recruitment, induction and training of new team members. The post holder will also be involved with initiatives across the R&I research setting, have significant knowledge of the clinical trials process and have line management experience.

For an informal discussion please contact:

Terry Wood

AICT Research Manager

Terry.Wood@nhs.net

The post holder will support the management and maintenance of the clinical trial coordination, data management and administrative functions within designated research team(s) delivering information, tools and processes that support the effective management of the portfolio of research within the team(s).

The primary aims of the post are to:
• Support the coordination and delivery of cross-institutional translational research and infrastructure projects across the Manchester Immuno-Oncology Network (MION), including activities that span multiple NHS, academic, and partner organisations.
• Scoping, mapping and support documentation activies for strategic initiatives e.g. point-of-care cell therapy manufacturing models and harmonized biospecimen processing, contributing to option appraisals and business case development.
• Input into issues of project feasibility from an early stage in grant application process
• Prepare and submit ethics and regulatory authority applications and amendments and ensure all approvals have been gained prior to research commencing
• Assist in the writing and evaluation of research protocols, patient information, questionnaires and other study documentation as applicable

The Christie is one of Europe’s leading cancer centres, treating over 60,000 patients a year. We are based in Manchester and serve a population of 3.2 million across Greater Manchester & Cheshire, but as a national specialist around 15% patients are referred to us from other parts of the country.

We provide radiotherapy through one of the largest radiotherapy departments in the world; chemotherapy on site and through 14 other hospitals; highly specialist surgery for complex and rare cancer; and a wide range of support and diagnostic services. We are also an international leader in research, with world first breakthroughs for over 100 years.

We run one of the largest early clinical trial units in Europe with over 300 trials every year. Cancer research in Manchester, most of which is undertaken on the Christie site, has been officially ranked the best in the UK.

Research Project Management

• Support the coordination and delivery of cross-institutional translational research and infrastructure projects across the Manchester Immuno-Oncology Network (MION), including activities that span multiple NHS, academic, and partner organisations.
• Scoping, mapping and support documentation activies for strategic initiatives e.g. point-of-care cell therapy manufacturing models and harmonized biospecimen processing, contributing to option appraisals and business case development.
• Input into issues of project feasibility from an early stage in grant application process
• Prepare and submit ethics and regulatory authority applications and amendments and ensure all approvals have been gained prior to research commencing
• Assist in the writing and evaluation of research protocols, patient information, questionnaires and other study documentation as applicable
• Good planning and organisational skills – able to plan project and make adjustments if needed

• Assist with management of patient & public involvement & engagement activities
• Advise and negotiate on clinical trial agreements including financial arrangements and material/data transfer agreements
• Develop and implement suitable tracking tools for all aspects of the project
• Develop and manage the risk management strategy
• Conduct research activity within the research governance framework
• Maintain and develop a working knowledge of current legislation regarding participation in research, including research and clinical governance and data protection. Attending mandatory and specialist training (e.g. ICH GCP) in accordance with local policy and research governance

Finance/Budget Management
• Identify funding streams for potential grant applications
• Facilitate preparation and submission of research grant applications
• Assist in development of the project budget ensuring finances are well managed throughout the project duration; Working with NHS/University finance systems to raise purchase requisitions, receipt goods and check invoices are paid
• Day-to-day project budget management duties, including administering and monitoring the project budget, acting as budget holder for project
• Develop and maintain excellent working relationship with The Christie NHS Foundation Trust finance department and University Research Finance/Support/Contracts to provide detailed costings for research projects and to troubleshoot any issues that arise

Communications
• Serve as a main point of contact for clinicians, scientists, research support teams, and external partners e.g. funding bodies, pharmaceutical companies etc, as applicable
• Support the development and maintenance of a functional network directory of expertise, platforms, and resources, and assist in the coordination of collaborative events and workshops
• Support researchers with internal and external communication so that collaborations are maximised
• Liaise with a wide range of academic, clinical, managerial and administrative staff throughout the Trust, and other academic and healthcare institutions, both nationally and internationally

• Communicate persuasively to project boards and staff to the requirements of the project, negotiates with and motivates sites on project delivery, including linking with other initiatives,
• Communicates sensitive information about performance and change, makes routine/complex formal presentations to large groups
• Arrange meetings, prepare agendas, take minutes and distribute as appropriate, following up any action points; includes study team meetings, study initiation visits etc
• Draft abstracts and posters for local, national and international conferences
• Write regular updates or newsletters to keep collaborators up to date with developments
• Prepare and submit interim and annual reports for R&I, ethics committees, funding bodies, etc. as required
• Proofread and edit manuscripts before submission to scientific journals. Coordinate the process from submission to publication
• Where appropriate link with the Manchester Cancer Research Centre (MCRC) and the Manchester Academic Health Science Centre (MAHSC)
• Organise external collaborative and training meetings: invite speakers, book venue, liaise with organisers and attendees, advertise event
• Contribute to research project web site design and content, if required.

Other

• Able to exercise analytical and critical thinking - assimilating complex facts or situations, requiring interpretation, comparison of a range of options to meet project standards
• Contribute to training programmes for R&D and other clinical staff
• Contribute to the development of systems and infrastructure, such as SOP development, business development activities and financial management
• Assist with preparation for and presentation of reviews/audits/inspections (e.g., MHRA, in-house audits etc).
• Contribute to any process improvement initiatives.
• Line management of junior staff
• Contribute to Cancer Research Project Manager Network activities



Training and Personal Development

• Maintain professional development whilst evaluating own specialist knowledge through a process of appraisal and personal development planning to satisfy the NHS Knowledge and Skills Framework requirements relating to the job
• Participate in Trust-wide education programmes and study days, regional and national meetings and research seminars as appropriate
• Acquire and maintain a working knowledge of key research areas
• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external partners.


This advert closes on Thursday 9 Apr 2026

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