University of Exeter
GBP 8328 Research Project Coordinator
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Research Project Coordinator
Salary: £28,029 per annum
Type of Contract: Fixed-term contract
Location: Exeter (Hybrid)
Start Date: 1/12/2026
End Date: 30/11/2027
Closing Date: 22/10/2026
About The Role
The South West Secure Data Environment (SWSDE) is seeking a motivated graduate to join the Research Workstream as a Research Project Coordinator. The role will support the Research Manager with the day-to-day coordination of research enquiries and projects, helping projects move from initial contact through development, assessment and preparation for submission to the SWSDE Data Access Committee (DAC).
This is an excellent opportunity to gain practical experience in research project coordination within one of the UK’s leading Secure Data Environments. The successful candidate will work with researchers, NHS organisations, universities and colleagues across the SWSDE, developing knowledge of health-data research, research governance, project delivery and regional research partnerships.
This role is part of the Graduate Business Partnership (GBP) scheme and offers full time hours (36.5 per week) from December 2026 to November 2027. This role offers hybrid where you will work remote and from the University of Exeter.
Purpose of the Role
Support the Research Manager with the coordination of research enquiries and projects across the SWSDE.
- Help gather, organise and track the information needed to assess project suitability, feasibility and readiness.
- Maintain accurate project records, documentation, actions and key decision points.
- Coordinate communication between researchers, NHS partners and SWSDE workstreams.
- Support the preparation of projects and papers for governance review, including the SWSDE Data Access Committee.
- Contribute to research network activity, events, communications and continuous improvement of research processes.
Duties And Responsibilities
- Act as an accessible first point of contact for routine research project enquiries, providing standard information and referring complex or specialist questions to the Research Manager or relevant SWSDE colleagues.
- Support the initial triage of project enquiries by recording information on the research question, data requirements, partners, funding, timescales and anticipated outputs.
- Coordinate project activity from initial enquiry through to submission to the SWSDE Data Access Committee, maintaining action logs, project plans and supporting documentation.
- Maintain the research project pipeline and Customer Relationship Management records, ensuring information on project status, requirements, actions and decisions is accurate and up to date.
- Arrange project meetings, prepare agendas and papers, take clear notes and follow up agreed actions with project leads and SWSDE colleagues.
- Work with operational, data, technical and information governance teams to help coordinate project assessments and communicate requirements or next steps to researchers.
- Support the preparation, collation, formatting, proofreading and quality checking of project documentation, guidance, reports, presentations and governance papers.
- Assist with the organisation and promotion of regional research networks, workshops, webinars, meetings and other engagement activity, including delegate coordination and event administration.
- Support relationships with NHS organisations, universities, public-sector partners and research teams through timely, professional communication and effective follow-up.
- Provide administrative support for budget monitoring, purchase requests, invoices, funding records and financial reporting where required, under the direction of the Research Manager.
- Contribute to improvements in research project processes, templates, guidance and ways of working across the SWSDE.
- Champion the SWSDE’s values of equitable partnership, co-production, participation and the safe and responsible use of health data.
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Training and Development
The Role Will Provide Practical Experience Of:
- Coordinating health-data research projects across NHS, academic and research organisations.
- Supporting project development, research governance and data-access decision-making processes.
- Using project tracking and Customer Relationship Management systems to maintain an accurate project pipeline.
- Preparing high-quality project documentation, reports, presentations and committee papers.
- Organising stakeholder meetings, workshops, networks and regional engagement activity.
- Working across multidisciplinary teams in a complex NHS and university partnership environment.
- Building skills in communication, organisation, problem-solving, stakeholder engagement and project management.
You will be asked to complete the university’s mandatory online training in:
- Safeguarding on our Campuses
- Diversity in the Workplace
- Health and Safety Introduction
- Information Governance and Security
Support Available
- Regular one-to-one meetings and day-to-day support from the Research Manager, with wider support from the Senior Research Manager and SWSDE team.
- A structured induction and on-the-job training covering SWSDE services, the research project pathway, health data, governance and operational processes.
- Opportunities to shadow colleagues across research, operations, data, technology, information governance and communications.
- Access to relevant training, learning resources and professional development opportunities.
- Participation in research meetings, stakeholder forums, workshops and collaborative projects.
- Dedicated support from the University of Exeter Internships Team throughout the placement.
The Benefits
- Hybrid and flexible working arrangements to support a healthy work-life balance.
- Hands-on experience within one of the UK’s leading Secure Data Environments.
- Opportunity to contribute to research and innovation intended to improve health and care across the South West.
- Exposure to regional and national health-data programmes and partnerships.
- Access to training, professional development and networking opportunities across the NHS, universities and research community.
- Support to build a professional portfolio of experience and achievements, with a reference on successful completion of the placement.
- Inclusion in team meetings, collaborative projects and social activities with colleagues.
- Invitation to quarterly networking and professional development events through The Graduate Network.
- Access to the University’s Career Mentor Scheme and online training, including Excel, presentation and negotiation skills.
About You (Person Specification)
Degree and Attainment
Essential
- A degree, or expected degree award before commencing the placement, in any subject.
- You should have graduated from a UK university in the last 3 years.
- Evidence of strong academic achievement and the ability to learn and apply new concepts quickly.
Desirable
- A degree in a relevant subject such as health sciences, social sciences, public health, business management, project management, data science or a related discipline.
Skills
Essential
- Strong organisational and planning skills, with the ability to manage several activities and priorities.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Good attention to detail and the ability to maintain accurate records and documentation.
- Ability to build positive working relationships with a range of stakeholders.
- Ability to interpret information and present it clearly for different audiences.
- Confident use of Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook.
- Ability to work independently, use initiative and know when to seek advice or escalate an issue.
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Personal Qualities and Attributes
Essential
- Enthusiastic, motivated and keen to learn.
- Professional, approachable and reliable.
- Proactive and willing to follow tasks through to completion.
- Comfortable working collaboratively across different teams and organisations.
- Committed to confidentiality, equality, diversity and inclusion, and the responsible use of health data.
- Interested in health research, data, public services or regional collaboration.
Knowledge
Essential
- Understanding of the importance of good organisation, accurate information and evidence in supporting project delivery and decision-making.
Desirable
- Awareness of the NHS, universities or the UK research environment.
- Awareness of research governance, data protection or the use of health data for research.
- Understanding of basic project management principles or project lifecycles.
Prior Experience
This may have been gained through education, volunteering, placements, personal projects, extracurricular activities or other non-work settings.
Essential
- Experience of organising activities, coordinating pieces of work or managing competing priorities.
- Experience of producing written reports, presentations, meeting notes or other structured outputs.
- Experience of working collaboratively as part of a team.
- Experience of communicating with different groups of people and following up actions.
Desirable
- Experience supporting a research, academic, healthcare, public-sector or community project.
- Experience organising meetings, events, workshops or network activities.
- Experience maintaining trackers, spreadsheets, databases or project records.
- Experience undertaking research, coursework or a dissertation involving evidence, data or multiple stakeholders.
About The University Department/Organisation
The South West Secure Data Environment is an NHS-led regional service which enables the secure use of health and care data to support research, innovation and improvements in patient care across the South West. Working in partnership with NHS organisations, universities and research institutions, the SWSDE provides a trusted environment where researchers can access high-quality data safely and responsibly. As a growing organisation at the forefront of data-driven healthcare, the SWSDE offers a unique opportunity to work alongside experts in health data, research and digital innovation, contributing to projects which have the potential to improve health outcomes and shape the future of healthcare delivery across the NHS.
Graduate Business Partnership (GBP) Scheme Requirements
To undertake a graduate role through the GBP scheme, you must have either achieved your degree or be nearing completion of your final year at any UK-based university.
- If you are nearing completion of your final year, your working hours may be reduced to 15 hours per week (for undergraduates) or 6 hours per week (for postgraduates) to ensure you have the capacity to successfully complete your degree. More hours can be completed if your academic agrees and provides written confirmation.
- If you do not pass your degree, the GBP role will end early.
- You must have graduated in the UK within the last 3 years of your most recent degree (we will consider extenuating circumstances of potential applicants that may have prevented them from undertaking a graduate role within 3 years of graduation).
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