Research Programme Manager - Haematology Data Science Initiative

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Job overview

Applications are invited for a Programme Manager to join the fast-growing Haematology Data Science Initiative (HDScI), which comprises two major research projects Haem-Match ( and BloodCounts! (

The primary purpose of the role is to support the Haem-Match feasibility study of genomically informed, algorithmically driven blood matching in sickle cell disorder and to prepare for a subsequent multicentre study.

Candidates should have a degree or equivalent experience or qualification in healthcare fields, maths, science, computing or informatics at Bachelor level. They should also have experience of administrative or project management in science or healthcare having written scientific reports and conveying complex issues in an easily understood way. Having worked in research studies or clinical trials with a knowledge and understanding of good clinical practice and research governance framework would be an advantage.

Main duties of the job

The HDScI project, coordinated through UCLH BRC, NHS Blood and Transplant and University of Cambridge, and part of a larger international collaboration, and is based in the UCLH BRC. The postholder will be a member of the multidisciplinary HDScI team, which includes clinical bioinformaticians, experts in statistical genomics, blood cell immunogenicity and randomised controlled trials, clinical haematologists caring for patients with inherited anaemias, and researchers in Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning (AI&ML). The main projects are Haem-Match and BloodCounts!.

Haem-Match aims to provide blood for transfusion that is more precisely matched to patients' blood groups, known as extended (red cell antigen) matching, using genetics to determine blood groups and using an algorithm to allocate units of blood and maintain blood stocks. The initial feasibility study aims to demonstrate this in people with sickle cell disorder (SCD) with scope to expand to other transfusion dependent anaemias. The post holder will:

• Take responsibility for the management of the infrastructural and administrative aspects of specific research projects, including overarching responsibly for information governance, support grant and ethics applications and site set up, recruitment of patients and coordination between study sites
• Develop and implement policies and procedures and advise project leaders.
• Be responsible for oversight of data import, aggregation and analysis for the HDScI project.

Working for our organisation

University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (UCLH) is one of the most complex NHS trusts in the UK, serving a large and diverse population. We provide academically led acute and specialist services, to people from the local area, from throughout the United Kingdom and overseas. Our vision is to deliver top-quality patient care, excellent education, and world-class research.

We provide first-class acute and specialist services across eight sites:

• University College Hospital (incorporating the Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Wing)

• National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery

• Royal National ENT and Eastman Dental Hospitals

• University College Hospital Grafton Way Building

• Royal London Hospital for Integrated Medicine

• University College Hospital Macmillan Cancer Centre

• The Hospital for Tropical Diseases

• University College Hospital at Westmoreland Street

We are dedicated to the diagnosis and treatment of many complex illnesses. UCLH specialises in women's health and the treatment of cancer, infection, neurological, gastrointestinal and oral disease. It has world class support services including critical care, imaging, nuclear medicine and pathology.

We are committed to sustainability and have pledged to become a carbon net zero health service, embedding sustainable practice throughout UCLH. We have set an ambitious target of net zero for our direct emissions by 2031 and indirect emissions by 2040.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

For the full Person Specification and more information regarding the main responsibilities of this role, please refer to the attached Job Description.

Come and be a part of the best NHS trust in England to work for, according to our staff*

UCLH top trust to work at in England - for the second year running! : University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

*In the most recent NHS staff survey UCLH had the highest percentage of staff who said they would recommend us as a place to work, out of all general acute or acute/community NHS trusts in England - for the second year in a row.

UCLH top trust to work at in England - for the second year running! University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

Once again, UCLH has received the highest score of all general acute and acute/community NHS trusts in England for staff that would recommend us as a place to work.

To discover more about what makes UCLH a great place to work, visit: Why Choose UCLH?

Person specification

Knowledge and Qualifications

Essential criteria

• High standard of written and spoken English
• Master's or equivalent (or - able to demonstrate significant level of equivalent experience) in maths, science, computing, informatics

Desirable criteria

• A PhD in a scientific subject, perhaps with a connection to the biomedical sciences

Experience

Essential criteria

• Significant experience of working at a senior management level within the NHS or similar environment.
• Demonstrable experience of effective budgetary management and control, including achieving targets on a regular basis.
• Administrative or project management experience in science or healthcare
• Experience of writing scientific reports and conveying complex issues in a way that can be easily understood
• Previous experience of managing complex projects to deadlines
• Experience of research studies and/or clinical trials
• Experience of Data management and report generation

Desirable criteria

• Knowledge and understanding of the principals of Good Clinical Practice and Research Governance Framework

Skills and Abilities

Essential criteria

• Demonstrate a strong understanding of multidisciplinary issues and commitment to multidisciplinary working
• Ability to work with and through others
• Demonstrable negotiation skills
• Verbal reasoning skills
• Commitment to self-development with ability to demonstrate in-depth knowledge of current thinking and policy affecting the health and public sector.
• IT literate, including a high level of competence with Microsoft Office
• Evidence of political awareness and sensitivity to the high profile of the Directorate and the Trust

Personal and People Development

Essential criteria

• Demonstrate a commitment to professional development of self and others
• Demonstrable record of successful line management of staff and proven team leadership and motivational skills.

Responsibilities towards promoting Equality Diversity and Inclusion

Essential criteria

• Knowledge of equalities issues and strong commitment to the promotion of equality in employment.

At UCLH, we have a real 'One Team' ethos, and our values - safety, kindness, teamwork and improving, are central to the way we work. This is supported by our staff, who voted us as the #1 NHS Acute Trust to work for in the whole of England.

At UCLH we take equality of opportunity seriously and are committed to being a diverse and inclusive employer, with a culture that creates a real sense of belonging and trust. It is our fundamental aim, to recruit, retain and promote a diverse mix of people who are representative of our local communities. Applications are encouraged from candidates of all backgrounds, cultures, and perspectives to support our world class research, innovation and creativity.

UCLH recognises the benefits of flexible working for staff and has a dedicated policy which allows staff to apply for flexible working right from the beginning of employment. For more information please go to:

We offer our permanent staff an interest free season ticket loan for travel, all our staff have access to free independent and confidential support, large retail discounts, a staff discount platform, cycle to work scheme and on-site accommodation to name a few.

Additionally, UCLH Arts and Heritage's staff wellbeing programme, Creative Comfort, offers a variety of ways to engage with the arts as a member of UCLH staff. You can try out the weekly choir, weekly art club and join the Culture Club for exclusive access to free and discounted tickets for opera, exhibitions, theatre and more.

We recognise, reward and thank colleagues by nominating them for our annual Celebrating Excellence Awards, which are funded by UCLH Charity.

We are also members of which offers discounts on high street retail stores, offers on travel deals, and also to take advantage of cash back schemes.

This vacancy may close before the current listed closing date. You are advised not to delay submitting your completed application.

Please note that all correspondence regarding your application will be via email. The emails will be sent to you via TRAC.jobs and not via NHS Jobs, we encourage you to check your inbox regularly.

Please note that if you are at present in a training position on the 2016 new junior doctor's contract and are applying for a Trust doctor role your salary will not be pay protected.

You will be placed on the appropriate point of the Trust Doctor pay scale based on your previous experience.

Please note that if you have not heard from us within 3 weeks of the closing date of the advert to assume that you have not been shortlisted on this occasion.

The Trust uses electronic new starter forms on Trac to collect personal details. Information collected is securely stored and used to set up the employee record on the ESR HR system.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Documents to download

• Job Description (PDF, 712.3KB)
• Functional Requirements (PDF, 262.3KB)
• UCLH Values (PDF, 860.9KB)