What Jobs are available for Research And Development in Redditch?

Location:

Aston University Main Campus

Salary:

£41,671 to £46,049 per annum

Grade:

Grade 08

Contract Type:

Fixed Term (31/03/2029)

Basis:

Part Time

Closing Date:

23.59 hours BST on Monday 29 September 2025

Interview Date:

Friday 17 October 2025

Reference:

Release Date:

Monday 15 September 2025

We are seeking a part-time (0.5 FTE) Post-Doctoral Research Associate to join the Aston Institute for Health & Neurodevelopment (IHN) and contribute to a Cerebra-funded project focused on delivering and evaluating a novel anxiety intervention for autistic children with rare genetic syndromes and moderate to severe intellectual disabilities. You will:

• Provide project oversight, supporting the PhD student and research team in delivering and evaluating the intervention
• Lead aspects of project management, including monitoring milestones, supporting ethics and governance processes, and liaising with project partners
• Contribute to narrative and systematic literature reviews
• Support data interpretation, dissemination of findings (e.g., co-authoring publications, attending conferences), and knowledge exchange with external stakeholders such as syndrome support organisations
• Actively contribute to the wider strategic goals of the Cerebra Network for Neurodevelopmental Disorders - including collaborative research initiatives and network-wide outputs - and support the development of future grant applications and research opportunities aligned with the Network's aims
• Work with NHS partners to evaluate the impact of ongoing Network work integrated into services
• Attend meetings and dissemination events with project partners at various locations in the UK as required.
• Conduct semi-structured interviews and behavioural assessments with children and families
• Contribute to the broader activities of the Aston IHN as capacity allows

Additional responsibilities include:

• Engaging in continuous personal and professional development aligned with the role's demands
• Ensuring and promoting the personal health, safety and wellbeing of staff and students
• Carrying out duties that promote fairness and engender trust
• Promoting equality of opportunity, supporting diversity and inclusion, and contributing to the University's environmental sustainability agenda

This 0.5 FTE post is ideal for a post-doctoral researcher experienced in working with children with intellectual and developmental disabilities and/or underserved populations. It offers a unique opportunity to be embedded within the Cerebra Network — a pioneering collaborative research network that integrates knowledge, expertise, and resources across four world-leading institutions (Aston University, University of Birmingham, University of Warwick, and University of Surrey), focused on autism, mental health, sleep, and behaviour to improve assessment and interventions for children with rare genetic syndromes and their families — while working within Aston's child-centred, translational research environment at the Aston Institute for Health & Neurodevelopment, which drives impactful "molecules to minds" research to support child development and wellbeing.

The University celebrates the rights of freedom of speech and academic freedom and is committed to maintaining and protecting these rights within the law. An offer to work at Aston University will never be denied on the basis of an individual's lawful expression of their beliefs, ideas or opinions.

Aston University is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all sections of the community. It promotes equality and diversity in all aspects of its work. We strive to have robust inclusivity strategies in place, to encourage colleagues to have the confidence and freedom to be themselves in the workplace. For more information, visit:

We recognise the value of flexible working. Please contact the recruiting manager to discuss what flexible working options are available for particular roles.

If you require the job details document or an application form in an alternative format please contact the recruitment team

• Design and conduct experiments to support the discovery and development of new drug candidates.
• Investigate molecular mechanisms of disease and identify potential therapeutic targets.
• Develop and optimize in vitro and in vivo assay systems relevant to drug efficacy and safety.
• Analyze experimental data, interpret results, and draw scientifically sound conclusions.
• Prepare detailed reports, presentations, and contribute to scientific publications and patent applications.
• Collaborate effectively with multidisciplinary teams, including chemists, biologists, pharmacologists, and toxicologists.
• Maintain meticulous laboratory notebooks and adhere to Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) standards.
• Troubleshoot experimental issues and proactively seek solutions.
• Stay current with the latest scientific literature and technological advancements in relevant therapeutic areas and drug development.
• Contribute to project planning and strategy discussions within the research team.
• Operate and maintain specialized laboratory equipment.
• Ensure a safe and compliant laboratory environment.
• Assist in the characterization of drug candidates and the development of preliminary pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profiles.
• Present research findings at internal meetings and potentially at external scientific conferences.

• Ph.D. in Pharmacology, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, or a closely related life science discipline.
• Minimum of 3 years of postdoctoral research experience or equivalent industry experience in pharmaceutical R&D.
• Proven expertise in designing and executing complex biological assays (e.g., cell-based assays, biochemical assays, enzyme kinetics).
• Strong understanding of drug discovery and development processes.
• Experience with relevant analytical techniques (e.g., HPLC, LC-MS, ELISA, Western Blotting).
• Excellent data analysis and interpretation skills.
• Proficiency in scientific software for data analysis and presentation.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to clearly articulate scientific concepts.
• Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a collaborative research team.
• Experience in (mention specific therapeutic area, e.g., oncology, immunology, neuroscience) is a plus.
• Familiarity with small molecule drug discovery is highly desirable.
• Commitment to working full-time at the Wolverhampton facility.

• PhD or Master's degree in Life Sciences, Pharmacology, Medicine, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in clinical research within the pharmaceutical industry.
• Proven experience in designing, conducting, and analysing clinical trials.
• In-depth knowledge of GCP, ICH guidelines, and regulatory submission processes.
• Strong statistical analysis and data interpretation skills.
• Excellent scientific writing and presentation abilities.
• Ability to manage projects effectively and thrive in a remote work setting.

• Oversee and manage all aspects of clinical trial site activities, including site selection, initiation, monitoring, and close-out.
• Ensure compliance with Good Clinical Practice (GCP), FDA regulations, and other relevant ethical and regulatory standards.
• Conduct site visits (remote and potentially on-site as required, though the role is remote-first) to assess protocol adherence, data accuracy, and patient safety.
• Train and mentor junior CRAs and site personnel on trial-specific procedures and regulatory requirements.
• Manage communication between study sites, investigators, and the core project team, ensuring timely resolution of issues.
• Review and reconcile essential documents, source data, and case report forms (CRFs).
• Prepare comprehensive monitoring reports and provide regular updates on site progress and performance.
• Identify and report adverse events and serious adverse events according to established procedures.
• Contribute to the development and refinement of clinical trial protocols and study documents.
• Manage multiple complex trials simultaneously, ensuring all deadlines are met.

• Bachelor's degree in a life science, nursing, pharmacy, or a related scientific discipline. A Master's degree is a plus.
• Minimum of 5 years of direct experience as a Clinical Research Associate in the pharmaceutical or biotechnology industry.
• In-depth knowledge of ICH-GCP guidelines and regulatory requirements in relevant markets (e.g., UK, EU, US).
• Proven ability to manage clinical trials independently and effectively.
• Excellent organizational, time management, and problem-solving skills.
• Strong communication, interpersonal, and presentation skills, with the ability to build rapport with healthcare professionals.
• Proficiency in clinical trial management systems (CTMS) and electronic data capture (EDC) systems.
• Ability to work autonomously and as part of a collaborative remote team.
• A commitment to ethical research practices and patient well-being.

• Plan, manage, and conduct clinical trial monitoring activities according to ICH GCP guidelines and study protocols.
• Perform site selection, initiation, routine monitoring, and close-out visits.
• Verify the accuracy, completeness, and consistency of clinical data by reviewing source documents and case report forms (CRFs).
• Ensure patient safety and the ethical conduct of clinical trials at assigned sites.
• Serve as the main point of contact for investigators, site staff, and study personnel.
• Provide training and ongoing support to clinical trial sites.
• Oversee study documentation and regulatory compliance at investigational sites.
• Identify and report protocol deviations, adverse events, and safety concerns.
• Track study progress, timelines, and budgets for assigned trials.
• Collaborate with internal teams, including project managers, data managers, and medical monitors.
• Contribute to the development of clinical trial protocols and other study-related documents.

• Bachelor's degree in a life science, nursing, or related field. Advanced degree preferred.
• Extensive experience (typically 3+ years) as a Clinical Research Associate (CRA) or in a similar clinical trial management role.
• In-depth knowledge of ICH GCP guidelines, regulatory requirements, and clinical trial processes.
• Proven ability to conduct site monitoring visits and manage multiple clinical trials simultaneously.
• Strong understanding of medical terminology and clinical trial data management.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and negotiation skills.
• Proficiency in using clinical trial management systems (CTMS) and electronic data capture (EDC) systems.
• Ability to work independently, manage time effectively, and adapt to changing priorities.
• Willingness to travel to investigational sites as required.
• Detail-oriented with strong organizational and problem-solving abilities.