Research Project Coordinator

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.

• Closing Date: 22/10/2026
• Interview Date:
  To be confirmed
• Start Date:
  
  1/12/2026
• End date: 30/11/2027

Starting Salary: £28,029 per annum

• 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 work streams.
• 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.

• 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…