Study Delivery and Governance Lead

About Adolescent Health Study

The Adolescent Health Study (AHS) is an ambitious new UKRI-funded initiative to establish a prospective, longitudinal population study that will generate a globally leading open science data platform and research resource. AHS aims to recruit at least 100,000 young people from across the UK and to follow their mental and physical health and wellbeing over at least 10 years. It plans to collect data through questions and measures; to obtain bio-samples for a wide range of genomic and other high-throughput assays; and to capture linked data relevant to health and wellbeing from participants’ health, education and other administrative records. There will be a strong emphasis on engaging with and involving young people, schools, parents and other relevant stakeholders in the design and delivery of the study, as well as on including young people that represent as wide as possible a range of backgrounds, experiences and characteristics. AHS will focus on enabling a wide range of research, including studies of the critical biological and social developments that occur during the transition from childhood to adulthood and the determinants of both mental and physical health and wellbeing in adolescents and young adults.

Purpose of the post

The Study Delivery and Governance Lead will play a central role in ensuring AHS meets the highest ethical, governance and regulatory standards. The post holder will lead the development, submission and oversight of the AHS Research Tissue Bank application, coordinate ethical approvals and ongoing amendments, and provide governance leadership to support study development and delivery.

They will also oversee elements of study set up and delivery, supporting the development of piloting tools and protocols, and addressing operational and logistical considerations necessary for successful delivery. They will line‑manage Research Officers and Senior Research Officers, contributing to a cohesive, high‑functioning team.

Main responsibilities

Research Governance

• Lead the full process of developing, drafting, and submitting the AHS Research Tissue Bank (RTB) application.
• Manage ongoing approvals, amendments, renewals and reporting obligations to Research Ethics Committees, the Health Research Authority, the Confidentiality Advisory Group and other regulatory bodies.
• Develop, implement and maintain governance frameworks, SOPs and quality assurance processes required for RTB operation, keeping abreast of developments in the regulatory landscape.
• Maintain accurate documentation, version control and quality‑assurance procedures relating to ethics and regulatory submissions.
• Act as key point of contact for research governance‑related queries from internal and external stakeholders.

Study Development & Planning

• Work closely with the Senior Programme Manager to contribute to the design and refinement of study protocols, piloting phases and operational plans.
• Lead the planning and delivery of specific study workstreams, as required, defining milestones, tracking progress, and identifying interdependencies as the study develops.
• Coordinate cross‑team activity involving research, data, operations and engagement teams to ensure study components are integrated and delivered effectively.

Project Management & Coordination

• Develop and maintain detailed project plans for governance and study‑delivery workstreams as required, ensuring roadmaps are accurate, realistic and kept up to date.
• Identify, track and mitigate risks related to both governance and delivery, escalating as appropriate and working collaboratively to resolve issues.
• Prepare reports and briefings for AHS governance structures (e.g., AHS Executive, Board of Trustees, Scientific Advisory Board).

Team Leadership & Line Management

• Provide mentoring and day‑to‑day guidance on governance‑related queries, ethics submissions and documentation development.
• Line manage selected staff within the study team, supporting workload planning, professional development and quality assurance.
• Foster effective team working across research, operational and scientific colleagues.

Stakeholder Management

• Build and maintain strong working relationships with internal teams including scientific leads, operational delivery, data management and engagement teams.
• Represent AHS with external partners related to governance, regulatory support, tissue banking and operational delivery.
• Work with the engagement team to ensure young people are involved in all elements of the study development and delivery.

Knowledge, skills and experience

Essential criteria

• Extensive experience in research governance, NHS research ethics management, clinical research management or equivalent.
• Demonstrable experience drafting protocols, participant documents and regulatory submissions.
• Strong understanding of ethical and regulatory frameworks including the Human Tissue Act, UK GDPR, and NHS research ethics processes.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with proven ability to translate complex regulatory requirements into clear and actionable guidance for colleagues.
• Strong organisational skills and attention to detail, with experience managing competing priorities.
• Experience in risk identification and mitigation within research programmes.
• Educated to degree level (or equivalent experience) in a relevant field.
• Experience line managing or supervising staff.

Desirable criteria

• Experience with biobanking, Research Tissue Bank applications or biosample governance.
• Experience with longitudinal population studies or large multi‑site research programmes.
• Understanding of data‑linkage governance and consent processes.
• Project‑management qualification (e.g., PRINCE2, APM, Agile).
• Experience working with children/young people, school‑based research or youth‑focused engagement.
• Experience engaging diverse stakeholders.

Dimensions

• Full time role with flexible working arrangements
• AHS is a national organisation, and our activities take place across the UK
• Flexible working will be required across several geographical locations in the UK.  Travel may be required to AHS locations, fieldwork sites and partner organisations

Application Process

This post is subject to receipt of satisfactory references and the post holder having the right to work in the UK (visa sponsorship is not available). Please apply with a CV and a covering letter (of no more than two pages) explaining what you can bring to this role, and including your current salary.

The closing date for this position is EoD Sunday 08 March 2026.

Interviews are currently expected to be held during the week commencing 30 March 2026.

Equal Opportunities Policy Statement

AHS is an equal opportunities employer, and as such aims to treat all employees, consultants and applicants fairly. AHS is an equal opportunities employer, and as such aims to treat all employees, consultants and applicants fairly. It is our policy to provide employment equality to all, irrespective of age, disability, gender identity or expression, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation.

Beyond these protected characteristics, we acknowledge the importance of socio-economic background, childcare and caring responsibilities, educational background, neurodiversity, and any other factors that shape an individual’s identity and opportunities. We strive to create an environment where all colleagues feel valued, supported, and able to contribute fully.

Values

It is an exciting time for the Adolescent Health Study (AHS) as we establish our senior leadership team. As the senior executive team evolves, the AHS values will be grounded in inclusivity, integrity, accountability, and collaboration