Data Administrator - Department of Cancer and Genomic Sciences - 101272 - Grade 4

Position Details

Department of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, School of Medical Sciences, College of Medicine and Health

Location: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK

Full time starting salary is normally in the range £25,866 to £27,518, with potential progression once in post to £30,820

Grade: 4

Full Time, Fixed Term contract up to February 2027

Closing date: 4th March 2025

Our offer to you

People are at the heart of what we are and do.

The University of Birmingham is proud to have been a part of the City of Birmingham and the wider region for over 100 years, and we are equally proud to be recognised as a leading global university. We want to attract talented people from across the city and beyond, support them to succeed, and celebrate their success.

We are committed to helping the people who work here to develop through our sector-leading Birmingham Professional programme which provides all professional services staff with development opportunities and the encouragement to reach their full potential. With almost 5,000 professional services jobs in a wide range of functions in Edgbaston and in our campus in Dubai, there are plenty of opportunities for you to be able to develop your career at the University.

We believe there is no such thing as a typical member of staff and that diversity is a source of strength that underpins the exchange of ideas, innovation, and debate. We warmly welcome people from all backgrounds and are committed to fostering an inclusive environment where diversity is at the heart of who and what we are, and how we work.

Supporting our people to achieve a healthy work/life balance is important both to our employees and to the success of the University and, depending on the role, we offer a variety of flexible working arrangements. We therefore welcome discussions on all forms of flexible working. In addition, you will receive a generous package of benefits including 40 days paid holiday a year, one paid day a year for volunteering, occupational sick pay, and a pension scheme. We also have three high-quality subsidised day nurseries.

The University is situated in leafy Edgbaston and there are excellent transport links to our beautiful campus, including main bus routes and a train station on site. On campus, we have a state-of-the-art sports centre with pool, shops, places to eat and drink, our own art gallery, museum and botanical gardens.

Background

The post will be based within the Institute of Head and Neck Studies and Education (InHANSE) which is part of the Department of Cancer and Genomic Sciences. Led by Professor Hisham Mehanna, InHANSE is one of the leading research groups internationally in head and neck cancer. Its research portfolio includes multi-national, multi-centre clinical trials, translational research (such as biomarker discovery and development), and international collaborations involving large datasets. As a member of the InHANSE team, the post will also involve setting up databases (e.g. REDCap, Excel) and becoming proficient in using survey software (e.g. Qualtrics). The post holder will also be heavily involved in coordinating multicentre, multinational research projects that include surveys or data collections.

Role Summary

Data Administrators will provide proactive and important support for the effective delivery of research in the University. You will be involved in all aspects of data collection, management and verification, and accurate input and reporting, including undertaking regular checks to validate and verify information. You will have the opportunity to contribute to the development and improvement of procedures and protocols. You will also be heavily involved in and responsible for coordinating multicentre, multinational research projects that include surveys or data collections. You will also help to provide cover to the Research Associate.

Main Duties

• Acting as a key communications point for research teams and other associated members, you will receive and resolve queries through to resolution.
• Proactively managing communications with, for example, clinical investigators, research support staff and others in external centres for data collection, ensuring everyone is kept up to date as appropriate.
• Ensuring confidentiality on all work at all times.
• Ensuring the smooth day-to-day running of the study protocol and the data collection, flagging up any issues to your manager.
• Abstracting or verifying data from records, possibly involving visits to data collection centres. Checking for any inconsistencies, identifying and resolving any missing, incomplete or contradictory data. You may be asked to visit centres in order to obtain data.
• Assisting with general data management and record keeping, which may include anonymising data/samples, maintaining and applying coding lists etc.
• Responsibility for accurately entering data into a variety of research and administrative databases, including non-routine or ad-hoc data (i.e. that requires more interpretation or development of new codes) under guidance.
• Performing regular, systematic checks to validate and verify information on the database(s) in order to produce a clean, accurate and complete data set for analysis. Identifying and resolving any missing, incomplete or contradictory data. Producing reports and lists on both a regular and ad-hoc basis.
• Working with senior staff you will test data entry, validation and report generation applications, reporting errors and suggesting modifications. You may create and test simple ad-hoc databases, forms and report generation on your own initiative.
• Providing administrative support as required. This may include maintaining stocks of supplies, assisting in organising meetings and travel, handling petty cash, and day-to-day distribution of materials to external centres.
• Developing and documenting standard operating procedures for the work of the post, for review by managers. Assisting with the supervision and training of less senior team members, checking the work done by others as appropriate.
• Developing skills and experience by taking part in training to develop advanced computing and broader trial/data management skills.
• Covering for managers within own area of expertise.
• Any other duties as may be required commensurate with the post including covering for Research Associate when necessary.
• Supporting the delivery of clinical research in accordance with the principles of Good Clinical Practice (GCP), the Declaration of Helsinki, applicable legislation (including, but not limited to, the Medicines for Human Use Clinical Trials Regulations, General Data Protection Regulations, Human Tissue Act), the UK Policy Framework for Health and Social Care, Caldicott principles, and applicable NHS Trust and University policies and procedures, (including, but not limited to the University’s Data Protection Policy, Information Security Policy and Code of Practice for Research) in order to protect the research participants and the quality of each study.
• Supports equality and values diversity, moderates own behaviour to avoid unfair discriminatory impact or bias on others.

Required Knowledge, Skills, Qualifications, Experience

• GCSEs to a minimum of grade C/4 in English and Mathematics grade C/4 minimum (or equivalent level 2 qualification).
• Experience of medical data coding, data entry and data validation techniques. Able to query and maintain computer databases.
• Must demonstrate a critical and intelligent attention to detail including high standards of accuracy.
• Ability to work independently and prioritise own workload with minimum supervision to ensure tasks meet agreed deadlines.
• Ability to identify and break down potential problems using past experience and knowledge of good research practices.
• Ability to proactively suggest improvements to working procedures under supervision.
• Office experience with administrative skills that include computing and office automation skills (e.g. email, excellent word processing, good document layout etc).
• Good communication skills and an excellent telephone manner.
• Aptitude for learning and applying new skills, and once trained have the ability to work independently to gather information or simply finding missing or inaccurate data.
• An interest in developing an understanding of the general underlying concepts of trial design, conduct and analysis.
• Ability to follow complex data management and administration procedures including the operation and maintenance of complex computer database and information systems.
• Flexible and willing attitude to being part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Understands the importance of equality and diversity in the workplace.
• Ability to identify and respond to equality and diversity issues in line with relevant policies and procedures.
• A science background and/or some lab experience is desirable.

Dimensions

You will not be required to line manage anyone in this role or manage a budget.

Planning and Organising

You will be responsible for the management of data and providing administrative support in a defined area. You will be responsible for managing your own workload and for planning and prioritising your work to ensure you meet agreed deadlines.

Problem Solving and decision making

You will be expected to solve most day-to-day data management and administrative queries without referring to your manager. You will, however, have access to guidance and support as required. You will need to consult others when dealing with complex queries.

Internal and External relationships

Internal staff and external contacts and suppliers.

Further particulars can be found here

Informal enquiries to Tessa Fulton-Lieuw, email: m.t.fulton-lieuw@bham.ac.uk

View our staff values and behaviours here

We believe there is no such thing as a 'typical' member of University of Birmingham staff and that diversity in its many forms is a strength that underpins the exchange of ideas, innovation and debate at the heart of University life. We are committed to proactively addressing the barriers experienced by some groups in our community and are proud to hold Athena SWAN, Race Equality Charter and Disability Confident accreditations. We have an Equality Diversity and Inclusion Centre that focuses on continuously improving the University as a fair and inclusive place to work where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. We are also committed to sustainability, which is a key part of our strategy. You can find out more about our work to create a fairer university for everyone on our website.