"Clinical Trials Research Assistant"

Department of Paediatrics, Oxford Vaccine Group, Churchill Hospital, Oxford

About the role

We have an exciting opportunity to join the Oxford Vaccine Group (OVG) in the Department of Paediatrics as our Clinical Trials Research Assistant.

You will play an important role in the contribution of the delivery of OVG clinical trials and provides the opportunity to gain laboratory experience along with administrative, communication and organisational skills, while working on projects involving testing of new vaccines in human trials as well as on Controlled Human Infection Models (CHIM).

You will be responsible for daily trial laboratory administrative tasks such as accurate processing and archiving of all clinical trial samples, in some cases working with external study sites. You will be working with human samples along with microbiological samples and will be trained to work at both Containment Level (CL)-2 and CL-3 Laboratories and training will also be provided in preparation of challenge agents for use in the CHIM studies. You will be required to work to Good Clinical and Laboratory Practice standards, conform with Human Tissue (HTA) regulations and MHRA regulations (Training will be provided in all of these). You will be required to have excellent attention to detail, document keeping and ability to follow set procedures (SOPs). You will also help to initiate any laboratory specific trial amendments to processes and procedures and you will provide regular study updates from the laboratory perspective at weekly study meetings which will provide effective support through great communication and organisational skills.

You will be working in a growing department within the Medical Sciences Division. The Department of Paediatrics is a world leader in child health research and hosts internationally renowned research programmes in drug development, gastroenterology, haematology, HIV, immunology, neuroimaging, neuromuscular diseases and vaccinology. The OVG under the lead of Professor Sir Andrew J. Pollard conducts research in evaluation and development of new vaccines and successfully led to the much-anticipated introduction of the Meningitis B vaccine for babies into the UK vaccination schedule, licensure of a Typhoid conjugate vaccine, which has been administered to >10,000 children, development and licensure of Oxford vaccine against SARS-CoV-2. We have also successfully evaluated vaccines against Ebola Virus, Crimean Congo Haemorrhagic Fever virus, Lassa Fever virus, Nipah Virus, Paratyphoid and none-Typhoidal Salmonella. Alongside this work, OVG successfully developed and continues to run the internationally renowned Controlled Human Infection Models (CHIM) of Enteric diseases such as Typhoid and Paratyphoid and have recently expanded to include research into respiratory disease CHIM for Pneumococcal and RSV infection and experimental medicine looking at lymph node biopsy to establish immunological responses post vaccine or CHIM. We are currently expanding our team to help deliver a large program of new trials starting in the next 12 months.

This position is offered full-time on a fixed-term contract initially for 12 months in the first instance with the possibility to extend provided further external funding is available. Flexibility in working hours is required with potential for evening or weekend work during busy periods.

About the department

The Department of Paediatrics is committed to equality and valuing diversity. The Department of Paediatrics has been honoured with the Athena Swan Gold award, a national gender equality charter, recognising the Department's innovative policies and practices. We are committed to the professional development of our staff by providing up to ten paid days annually for skill enhancement and allowing applications for additional training funding. By joining us, you will have the opportunity to contribute to a forward-thinking department.

We welcome new staff with ideas who are willing to shape the future of the department that thinks about its staff and wellbeing. In addition to the University of Oxford wellbeing resources, the Department of Paediatrics sponsors weekly exercise classes such as yoga and bootcamp sessions as well as a choir. For staff on work visas, we also offer financial assistance towards visa renewal fees. These activities are designed to promote physical and mental wellbeing among staff members.

Please visit our website to find out more about the Department.

About you

You will have a qualification in a Biological or Medical Science, supplemented by relevant post-qualification experience in a Clinical or research laboratory role, with proven and demonstrable immunological or microbiological and organisational skills, including sample processing, evidence of accurate record keeping, working in a busy environment and able to cope with last minute changes to scheduling. You will possess attention to detail with the ability to troubleshoot and work as part of a diverse team. You will have highly effective verbal and written communication skills with all level of staff staff and an ability to operate effectively in a demanding and changeable research environment.

Application Process

You will be required to upload a CV and Supporting Statement as part of your online application. Your application will not be processed if you do not include both documents.

The Supporting Statement should include a cover letter and should also clearly describe how you meet each of the selection criteria listed in the job description. Click here for information and advice on writing an effective Supporting Statement.

To discuss the post in more detail, please contact Dr Elizabeth Clutterbuck, the Lead Scientist Vaccine Trials and Lab Operations, using the contact details below.

Only online applications received before 12.00 midday on 27th March 2026 will be considered. Interviews will be held as soon as possible thereafter.

The Department of Paediatrics offers an Interview Expense Reimbursement Policy in its efforts towards equality, diversity and inclusion. Should you be invited to interview, we will share further information about the policy at that stage.