Approvals Administrator
Employer: Health Research Authority
Location: Home based - Please note, if applying to our Manchester, Nottingham or Bristol locations, we are only able to offer the role as home based. Willingness to travel and occasionally stay overnight.
Working hours: Full time - 37.5 hours per week (Flexi hours available)
Salary: £27,485 - £30,162 per annum
Closing date: 12/01/2026 23:59
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The HRA is a Non Departmental Public Body with the remit to protect and promote the interests of patients and the public in health and social care research. We do this by supporting and promoting a robust and efficient regulatory and governance framework in the UK. We provide the Research Ethics Service (RES), Confidentiality Advice function, assessments and assurances on behalf of the NHS, and learning, guidance and advice for the research community. Our ambition is to make the UK a great place to do research, where more money invested in research goes into carrying out relevant, good quality research.
Our purpose is to ensure that research involving NHS patients and members of the public is approved through a proportionate and robust system, that they are provided with the information they need to help them decide whether they wish to take part, and that their opportunity to do so is maximised by simplifying the processes by which high quality research is assessed. We have already delivered significant improvements by centralising and simplifying the approval of research in the NHS in England, and are undertaking a range of significant programmes to deliver further improvements.
Job overview
We currently have an exciting opportunity within the Health Research Authority for an enthusiastic and organised individual.
The role will support the Approvals Specialist in the processing of research applications, issuing standard communications and providing procedural advice to applicants. The post-holder will support the tracking of studies to deliver a coordinated service to applicants. They will support the administration of Research Ethics Committee meetings and record discussions and decisions by sub-committees.
The post-holder will be part of a wider team which will ensure that appropriate reviews have been completed and recorded in line with agreed processes in order to inform decisions of sites on the viability of the study locally.
Applicants should be educated to high level secondary education or have passed or be working towards NVQ3 in a relevant field, or equivalent, plus relevant practical experience.
Main duties of the job
The postholder must have an understanding of the HRA role and remit, knowledge of a range of administrative practices and procedures plus evidence of practical experience at a similar level. They will have a well-developed knowledge and expertise of operating systems within the NHS or similar field and excellent organisational skills with the ability to prioritise against a background of change and uncertainty. Experience of taking minutes, of working with people at all levels in an organisation and of working to tight deadlines is essential.
Working for our organisation
Working at the HRA, we are reminded daily of how important life is. As a flexible working friendly organisation, we want to be sure that you can work in a way that is best for you, not just us and the work we do.
We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace that promotes and values diversity. We know from experience that different ideas, perspectives and backgrounds create a stronger, more creative workplace that helps us to deliver the best services. We welcome applications which represent the rich diversity of our community: age, disability, gender identity and expression, ethnicity, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation and other diverse characteristics, and we have policies in place to ensure that all applicants are treated fairly and consistently at every stage
of the recruitment process.
When applying to work here, speak to us about how we might be able to
accommodate a flexible working arrangement – if it works for us, we will do our best to make it work for you.
Please note, if applying to our Manchester, Nottingham or Bristol locations, we are only able to offer the role as home based.Detailed job description and main responsibilities
This role sits within the HRA Approvals Service directorate which consists of various teams that all work together to provide the appropriate approval for health research in England and, for some applications, across the UK.
This directorate is responsible for:
- Delivering HRA Approval
- Supporting the Confidentiality Advisory Group and advising on the use of confidential patient information without consent
- Working to refine the systems and processes researchers need to follow to ensure a swift, robust and simple experience
- Providing guidance to applicants
- Providing training
- Working collaboratively with external partners to improve the research environment
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