Human Tissue Governance Specialist

We are seeking a Human Tissue Governance Specialist to join the Research
Governance, Ethics and Assurance (RGEA) team in Research Services.








The University of Oxford is a stimulating work environment, which enjoys an
international reputation as a world-class centre of excellence. Our research
plays a key role in tackling many global challenges, from reducing our carbon
emissions to developing vaccines during a pandemic.



The Research Governance Ethics & Assurance (RGEA) team, in Research Services,
provides advice, support and guidance to researchers, and has a role in
ensuring that clinical research involving human participants conducted in the
University is compliant with relevant governance and regulations.





This position is focused on support to staff working in research teams and
across various HTA Research Licences: this includes responsibility for
providing advice and guidance about fulfilling the requirements of the Human
Tissue Act (2004).








**What We Offer**





As an employer, we genuinely care about our employees’ wellbeing and this is
reflected in the range of benefits that we offer including:





• An excellent contributory pension scheme



• 38 days annual leave



• A comprehensive range of childcare services



• Family leave schemes



• Cycle loan scheme



• Discounted bus travel and Season Ticket travel loans



• Membership to a variety of social and sports clubs





This role also offers the opportunity for hybrid working with a current
expectation of at least 50% onsite work.








**About the Role**





You will join the Human Tissue Governance Group within RGEA whose primary role
is to review projects using human biological samples and ensuring these are
undertaken in compliance with the relevant legislation. This will involve
communication with study teams, as well as working with colleagues across RGEA
and Research Services more widely.





Key responsibilities include guiding researchers who need to store samples
under an HTA licence through the appropriate governance processes, and
providing robust assurance of compliance with the regulation to Designated
Individuals with legal responsibility for the University’s HTA licences. You
will use your experience of auditing processes to analyse audits and non-
compliances reports and identify areas of risk or possible opportunity for
improvement.





There is a strong emphasis on building competency and providing advice to a
variety of stakeholders including colleagues in Research Services, in clinical
teams in the NHS, in clinical trials units and in University departments both
in academic research and in research support roles.





The role is offered on full-time, permanent basis, although 0.8 FTE would be
considered for the right candidate. The successful candidate will report to
the Human Tissue Governance Lead and be part of a group of four people with
specialised expertise on human tissue governance within RGEA.








**About You**





The ideal candidate will have an excellent working knowledge of the Human
Tissue Act and related standards and regulations, as well as excellent
interpersonal skills and a rigorous approach to record-keeping.





You will have experience of working in a quality assurance role, including
conducting audits and the ability to analyse trends from audits and non-
compliances, identifying root causes and proposing potential process
improvements to the HTG Lead.





Success in this role will be demonstrated by collaborative communication with
members of University of Oxford staff at wide ranging levels. Establishing
trusting relationships with personnel responsible for the various HTA licences
whilst ensuring compliance with the relevant regulations.








**Application Process**





You will be required to upload a covering letter/supporting statement, CV and
the details of two referees as part of your online application.





The closing date for applications is 12 noon on April 24th 2024





Interviews will take place on week beginning May 6th, and will be face to
face/online