AI tools like chatbots and virtual assistants can support you as you complete your application. For example, they can check for spelling or grammar errors, or help you to decide what to include.
But they shouldn’t replace your own responses or be used to write the application for you.
Relying too much on AI can negatively impact your chances of success, because automatically generated answers:
- might not be specific or relevant enough to address the criteria in the recruitment profile
- often seem generic and not personalised enough – an AI response won’t show your unique voice and perspective
- could misrepresent information about you, such as your qualifications, skills and experience
We monitor applications for any behaviour that could create an unfair advantage, and we check all references carefully. You are likely to be tested on your experience at interview, so be honest and make sure all the information in your application is correct.
Job overview
The Research and Innovation (R&I) Deputy Director (Research Delivery) provides senior leadership and strategic oversight for the effective delivery of the Trust’s research portfolio. The post holder is responsible for ensuring that research studies across all clinical divisions and specialties are delivered to the highest standards of quality, performance and regulatory compliance.
Working at Board and system level, the post holder ensures that the Trust meets national and local research performance targets, including National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) metrics, while optimising capacity and capability for research delivery and embedding research as a core element of patient care.
The role provides strategic leadership for the coordination of the research delivery workforce, infrastructure and partnerships, ensuring alignment with Trust strategy, ICS priorities and national NIHR objectives. This senior position is essential in delivering the Trust’s R&I strategy and supporting UHL’s ambition to remain one of the UK’s leading research-active organisations. The portfolio overseen includes more than 600 studies, over 12,000 annual recruits and a turnover of approximately £56M, set within a dynamic, highly regulated and internationally competitive environment.
The post holder will promote and sustain a positive research culture, supporting research leaders, clinical teams and partners to develop high-quality research activity.
Advert
They will act as deputy to the R&I Director, exercising a high level of autonomy, and will work closely with the R&I Deputy Head of Nursing and R&I Deputy Director Research (Operations) Working with the R&I Deputy Director they will allocate budget of up to £55M per annum. The post holder will also deputise for the R&I Deputy Director as required. A defining priority for this post is delivery of the national commercial research activation standard: leading Trust-wide performance to 95% of commercial studies activated within 150 days, sustaining that performance, and preparing the organisation for the forthcoming 75-day standard. To achieve this, the post holder will develop and performance-manage service level agreements (SLAs) with corporate support services and lead the data and performance assurance infrastructure required to secure sustained improvement.
Working for our organisation
Our new strategy, developed with the support and feedback of colleagues, patients, and partners, is our compass for the next seven years (2023-2030).
We have four primary goals:
- high-quality care for all,
- being a great place to work,
- partnerships for impact, and
- research and education excellence
And we will embed health equality in all we do - taking active steps to reduce the avoidable differences in healthcare that some people face, working in partnership with communities.
Our strategy is underpinned by new values and we will work to ensure they are an everyday reality for all:
- we are compassionate,
- we are proud,
- we are inclusive, and
- we are one team
This is an exciting moment as we look to the future with clarity on what we already do well and where we need to focus our energies to make an even bigger difference for the people we serve.
About the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust:
https://www.uhleicester.nhs.uk
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
The post-holder will be responsible for the day to day people and operational management of the Trust’s R&I functions and for providing line management support to a team of senior managers. Working closely with University of Leicester partners in the Leicester Joint Research Office and with other stakeholders in the region will provide high quality regulatory guidance and support to researchers.
Performance monitoring of R&I activity and overseeing metrics for national and local reporting will be at the heart of the role, ensuring that that the Trust continues to build capacity and capability developing its performance and continuing to maintain excellent track record within the relevant standards.
The post-holder will work independently and take appropriate action when circumstances warrant, deputising for the R&I Deputy Director when required.
The post holder will develop and deliver a strategic plan that embeds high quality research throughout the Trust. They will demonstrate a leadership style that promotes and encourages inclusion in the research agenda from across the whole organisation, while helping and supporting research leaders and their teams by actively encouraging, initiating and developing UHL programmes of research, building of collaborative relationships with other partners.
The post holder will also engage with the wider Trust to ensure that R&I requirements are taken into account in key decisions.
Additional Information
Please submit your application form without delay to avoid disappointment; we will close vacancies prior to the publishing closing date if we receive a sufficient number of completed application forms.
Please check the email account (including your junk mail) that you supplied as part of your application on a regular basis following the closing date and throughout the recruitment process, as this is how we will communicate with you.
UHL is an equal opportunities employer. We aim to employ a workforce that reflects the diverse communities we serve. We welcome applications from people from all backgrounds who match our job criteria.
Applicants who have a disability and meet the essential criteria for the job will be interviewed if you indicate you wish to be considered under the Guaranteed Interview Scheme. If you require a reasonable adjustment at any stage of the recruitment process please make the recruitment services team aware as soon as possible.
UHL is committed to helping colleagues balance the demands of both their work and personal needs through flexible working arrangements wherever reasonably practicable and subject to service needs.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
Please note if you are successful in obtaining this position and the post involves regulated activity you will be required to undertake a Disclosure & Barring Service check.
The Trust will pay for the check initially and the money will then be deducted from your salary over a three month period commencing on your first month's payment.
The current price of a check is £38 for an enhanced and £18 for a standard check.
COVID 19 Risk Assessment
Due to the current Covid pandemic we have introduced a staff risk assessment into our pre-employment process. This now forms part of the mandatory pre-employment checks that will be carried out if you receive a conditional offer.
The risk assessment is intended to ensure you are able to safely perform your duties in any of our work areas, and if you have been identified as being particularly vulnerable to coronavirus. Our main aim is to reduce risk and to ensure the safety of all new starters to the Trust as well as current staff, patients and visitors.
If it is identified that you are within a vulnerable category, we will endeavor to make reasonable adjustments to accommodate this through discussions with both Occupational Health and your recruiting manager.
Covid Vaccination Status
Covid-19 vaccination remains the best way to protect yourself, family, colleagues and our patients/service users from the Covid-19 virus. We therefore continue to encourage our current and potential colleagues to get vaccinated.
University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust holds the principles of equality, diversity and inclusion at the heart of everything it does and all that it stands for. We are committed to developing a workforce that is representative of the community we serve. We welcome applications from the diverse community of Leicester, Leicester and Rutland, to help deliver healthcare services that meets the needs of our diverse communities.