Regional Research Imaging Lead

Job summary

We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced Research Imaging professional, with experience of working at a regional level, to join the Research and Innovation Directorate (R&I) at University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust (UHNM).

This senior role will provide regional leadership, co-ordination, and standardisation of research imaging processes across the North Midlands, directly addressing well-recognised critical bottlenecks in imaging research capacity and support. Furthermore, they will develop business cases and future funding bids to increase regional capacity, capability and infrastructure.

The RRIL will mitigate these delays by establishing the North Midlands Research Imaging Service (NMRIS): a dedicated, co-ordinated imaging pathway for research participants. The service will provide rapid access, clear scheduling, transparent costing, and a single point of co-ordination, while remaining fully embedded within NHS governance, IR(ME)R compliance, and NIHR research delivery frameworks). This service will standardise imaging workflows across the North and ensure imaging dependencies do not impede the North Midlands ability to meet national performance targets.

Main duties of the job

The role will be instrumental in transforming future healthcare and improving outcomes through research evidence - both for our community and across the region. With NIHR infrastructure funding and the opening of our Commercial Research Delivery Centre in April 2025, this is an exciting time to join the UHNM R&I Directorate as we push the boundaries of clinical research to benefit patients.

This is your opportunity to take on a strategic leadership role within the UHNM Research and Innovation Directorate, playing a pivotal part in the delivery of a research imaging service, regionally, that leads to tangible improvements in patient-centred research.

This role is ideal for a visionary leader who is committed to improving healthcare and patient experience. If you are passionate about leading research that makes a lasting impact on patient care, this is your opportunity to make a significant difference in a growing and dynamic directorate.

This is a 3 year fixed term position

About us

University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust is one of the largest and most modern in the country. Based across two sites, Royal Stoke in Stoke-on-Trent and County Hospital in Stafford, we are proud to serve around three million people and we're highly regarded for our facilities, teaching and research. We are the specialist centre for major trauma for the North Midlands and North Wales.

All of our employees make a valuable contribution regardless of role here at UHNM and we are proud of our wide range of development packages aimed at ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to fulfil their true potential.

UHNM create and encourage a culture of inclusion, providing equal opportunities for career development that are fair and transparent. We are committed to being a diverse and inclusive employer and foster a culture in which all staff feel valued and respected. In return we ask all of our employees to make a commitment to the values, co-created by or staff, patients and carers, and that unite us as a Trust.

At University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust we know that investing in, supporting and developing our staff has a direct impact on the quality of care that we deliver. Our employees are as important as our patients and the population that we serve.

Job responsibilities

For further information please see the attached job description and person specification. For further details please contact Sarah Jones-Faulkner

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential

• oEducated to master's level or equivalent experience in a relevant subject area (e.g. clinical research, healthcare management, public health, biomedical science, or equivalent professional field)
• oGood Clinical Practice (GCP)
• oEvidence of continuous professional development (CPD) in research governance, regulatory compliance
• oFormal management or leadership training (or equivalent demonstrable experience operating at senior strategic level within complex healthcare systems).

Desirable

• oCoaching or mentoring qualification

Experience

Essential

• Working clinically in a Specialist or Senior Level
• Evidence of active participation in Research and / or Innovation in the last 5 years
• Ability to communicate effectively with patients, senior clinical staff, and other health professionals
• Improves communication amongst colleagues using a range of skills including influencing, advocacy, championing, and facilitation

Desirable

• Active or previous role in local and regional/or national organisation research or innovation
• Promotes and models good practice consistent with legislation relating to: oGovernance oResearch oData protection