Led by a world-class faculty of scientists, technologists, policy makers, economists and entrepreneurs, the Ellison Institute of Technology aims to develop and deploy commercially sustainable solutions to solve some of humanity's most enduring challenges. Our work is guided by four Humane Endeavours: Health, Medical Science & Generative Biology, Food Security & Sustainable Agriculture, Climate Change & Managing Atmospheric CO2 and Artificial Intelligence & Robotics.
Set for completion in 2027, the EIT Campus in Littlemore will include more than 300,000 sq ft of research laboratories, educational and gathering spaces. Fuelled by growing ambition and the strength of Oxford's science ecosystem, EIT is now expanding its footprint to a 2 million sq ft Campus across the western part of The Oxford Science Park. Designed by Foster + Partners led by Lord Norman Foster, this will become a transformative workplace for up to 7,000 people, with autonomous laboratories, purpose-built laboratories including a plant sciences building and dynamic spaces to spark interdisciplinary collaboration.
EIT is committed to cultivating a community where excellence is achieved through collaboration, trust, innovation and tenacity. We foster an environment where everyone's experience and expertise are valued. We are curious and resilient in our efforts to drive long-term, sustainable innovation to meet humanity's most enduring challenges.
EIT is seeking a
Human Tissue & Research Governance Lead to lead the development, implementation and assurance of EIT's cross-institute governance frameworks covering research activities and the use of human tissue in research.
The post holder will be the institutional lead for compliance with the Human Tissue Act 2004 and the Human Tissue Authority (HTA) licensing standards, working across EIT to embed best practice across research laboratories and ensure a robust, proportionate, and ethical approach to research governance.
They will coordinate and oversee research governance and ethics functions, institute-wide, ensuring that all research projects, facilities and collaborations are initiated, conducted, and closed in full compliance with legal, ethical, and institutional requirements.
Key Responsibilities:
Human Tissue Governance & Compliance
- Act as cross-EIT subject matter expert on the Human Tissue Act 2004, associated HTA Codes of Practice, and their application to research and laboratory activities
- Support the Designated Individual (DI) and Persons Designated (PDs) in discharging their duties under the HTA licence(s), ensuring that all activities involving human biological materials meet licensing standards
- Lead the development, implementation and continuous improvement of a Quality Management System (QMS) for human tissue use and related laboratory processes
- Oversee EIT-wide systems for consent, traceability, storage, use, and disposal of human material
- Coordinate internal compliance audits, self-assessments, and corrective actions; ensure readiness for HTA inspections
- Facilitate pan-EIT HTA inspections by acting as a key institutional liaison with the Authority, coordinating pre-inspection preparations, managing inspection logistics, and ensuring timely and effective responses to findings
- Provide expert advice to researchers, laboratory managers and governance staff on the ethical and legal requirements for use of human tissue in research
Research Governance, Ethics and Assurance
- Oversee the cross-EIT research governance assurance processes, ensuring compliance with internal policies and external frameworks (e.g. UK Policy Framework for Health and Social Care Research, UKRIO guidance, MRC policies)
- Support the Research Sponsorship function by reviewing ethics applications, amendments and related documentation for projects requiring institutional sponsorship
- Advise researchers on appropriate ethical routes (e.g. NHS REC, university REC, other independent REC, or internal review), and facilitate smooth coordination between investigators, governance offices and ethics committees
- Establish clear processes to ensure new projects, programmes, etc. are considered for ethical standards and receive appropriate review and approval prior to commencement.
- Contribute to the development and review of research governance policies, standard operating procedures (SOPs) and guidance documents, ensuring consistency with national frameworks and best practice
- Lead or contribute to assurance reviews and audits across research governance domains, reporting findings to the Research Governance Committee or equivalent body
- Provide clear, pragmatic governance advice to support innovative and collaborative research while maintaining compliance and risk control
Laboratory and Facility Governance
- Work with the wider Quality team, Biosafety and operational teams across EIT research facilities to embed governance and quality systems across research facilities
- Where required, support the onboarding of new laboratories, research platforms and facilities, ensuring governance systems are established before operational use (e.g. consent processes, sample traceability, risk assessments, SOPs)
- Provide assurance oversight during the commissioning and decommissioning of facilities and equipment to ensure regulatory and ethical compliance
- Promote integration between governance, biosafety, quality assurance, and operational safety systems to ensure efficient and proportionate oversight
Training, Engagement and Continuous Improvement
- Design and deliver training programmes for researchers and technical staff on HTA compliance, ethics, and research governance requirements
- Build awareness of the institute's governance and ethical responsibilities, fostering a positive culture of compliance and integrity
- Maintain oversight of governance-related risk registers, incident management systems and improvement plans
- Monitor developments in legislation, regulation, and best practice (e.g. HTA updates, HRA, UKRIO, ICO) and ensure timely communication and policy updates
Requirements
Essential Skills, Qualifications & Experience:
- Significant experience in research governance, quality management, or compliance, ideally in a biomedical or research institute setting
- Expert understanding of the Human Tissue Act 2004, HTA licensing standards, and Codes of Practice
- Experience in implementing and maintaining Quality Management Systems (QMS), including audit, inspection readiness and continuous improvement
- Strong working knowledge of UK research ethics frameworks, including NHS REC processes and institutional research sponsorship responsibilities
- Experience reviewing or managing research ethics submissions, amendments, and study closure processes
- Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to explain regulatory concepts clearly to scientists and managers
- Demonstrable ability to manage multiple projects, balance priorities and maintain attention to detail
- Degree in life sciences, biomedical sciences, or a related field (or equivalent professional experience)
Desirable Knowledge, Skills and Experience:
- Experience supporting or deputising for a Designated Individual or Person Designated under an HTA licence
- Knowledge of broader regulatory frameworks relevant to research (e.g. HRA, UKAS, GDPR, biosafety)
- Experience of managing or delivering internal/external inspections
- Membership of a professional body (e.g. Research Quality Association, Institute of Biomedical Science)
Benefits
We offer the following salary and benefits:
- Salary: £60,000 - £70,000 + Travel Allowance & Bonus
- Enhanced holiday pay
- Pension
- Life Assurance
- Income Protection
- Private Medical Insurance
- Hospital Cash Plan
- Therapy Services
- Perk Box
- Electric Car Scheme
Why work for EIT:
At the Ellison Institute, we believe a collaborative, inclusive team is key to our success. We are building a supportive environment where creative risks are encouraged, and everyone feels heard. Valuing emotional intelligence, empathy, respect, and resilience, we encourage people to be curious and to have a shared commitment to excellence. Join us and make an impact!
Terms of Appointment:
You must have the right to work permanently in the UK with a willingness to travel as necessary.
You will live in, or within easy commuting distance of, Oxford and can commit to being onsite more during the initial onboarding stages of the role.
During peak periods, some longer hours may be required and some working across multiple time zones due to the global nature of the programme.
