Colo-Speed Coordinator

Salary: £32,080.00 - £33,002.00  per annum

Newcastle University is a great place to work, with excellent benefits. We have a generous holiday package; plus the opportunity to buy more, great pension schemes and a number of health and wellbeing initiatives to support you.

Closing Date: 19 April 2026

The Role

We are looking for a highly motivated and enthusiastic individual to join the COLO-SPEED research team, as the COLO-SPEED Research Programme Cordinator.

The COLO-SPEED research programme is building the world’s largest platform for research in prevention and early diagnosis of bowel cancer. We deliver a range of studies, with a variety of methodologies and focuses, all of which have the ultimate aim of reducing bowel cancer deaths. The COLO-SPEED team spans Newcastle University and South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust and this post would sit within Newcastle University.

The COLO-SPEED Research Programme Coordinator will provide high level administrative and organizational support, ensuring the successful deliver of the COLO-SPEED research group activities. This post is a full time (100%fte) fixed-term role until 31st January 2027. Further information about this post can be obtained by contacting Dr. Christina Dobson  christina.dobson@newcastle.ac.uk   

The Faculty of Medical Sciences is committed to supporting equality, diversity and inclusion for all staff and students. Applications for flexible working are welcome; please state your desired working arrangements in your application.

Newcastle University is committed to being a fully inclusive Global University which actively recruits, supports and retains staff from all sectors of society.  We value diversity as well as celebrate, support and thrive on the contributions of all our employees and the community they represent.  We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer and encourage applications from everybody, regardless of race, sex, ethnicity, religion, nationality, sexual orientation, age, disability, gender identity, marital status/civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, as well as being open to flexible working practices. 

Key Accountabilities

• Lead delivery of the online COLO-SPEED Research Network, co-ordinating communications to network members about research opportunities, generating and circulating questionnaires within the platform to network members), liaising with research software engineering team to identify and address any issues with website functionality and quickly; working with the wider COLO-SPEED team to plan content and communications to keep COLO-SPEED Research Network members engaged
• Oversight of communications with other research groups and studies engaging with the COLO-SPEED research network, management ‘onboarding’ and network contacts
• Oversee delivery of the in-person COLO-SPEED patient group, working with the COLO-SPEED Research Manager to develop engaging content, and overseeing the COLO-SPEED Research Administrator to ensure timely and appropriate co-ordination of meetings (i.e. catering, room bookings)
• Work alongside the COLO-SPEED Research Manager to develop and deliver communications strategy, for (1) promoting the COLO-SPEED research network and increasing network membership; and (2) stakeholder engagement and outreach, through both social media and community engagement activities
• Organise conferences and engagement for the COLOSPEED research programme
• Manage and plan website content for the COLO-SPEED programme of research
• Liaise with the Newcastle University press team to co-ordinate press releases/social media posts/communications by, or about, the COLO-SPEED research programme
• Support the COLO-SPEED research team in obtaining and managing relevant NHS and university ethical and data compliance approvals
• Oversee finances and support the PI with financial reporting, including reviewing, monitoring and interpreting of income and expenditure reports to aid decision making processes in the project team(s) and linking in with FMS finance team for training, advice and final reporting/authorization
• Maintain oversight of COLO-SPEED invoices, expense claims etc. on behalf of project staff, working with the COLO-SPEED Research administrator to ensure that expenditure is correct and liaise with the Finance team about any queries
• Develop and maintain administrative systems and processes to enable reporting of research management and delivery information.
• Effectively communicate across a diverse network of University and non-academic partners
• Maintain confidentiality whilst working with patient data, ensuring compliance with University and statutory guidelines and being aware of the implications of the Data Protection and Freedom of Information legislation

The Person (Essential)

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

• Proven analytical and problem solving capability
• Excellent time management, planning, organisation and project management skills
• Excellent communication skills, able to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with a range of audiences (including
• academic, clinical, public and third sector)
• Excellent IT skills including the full Microsoft Office package and Adobe suite (InDesign and Illustrator)
• Website development skills, including experience of software such as Github for content upload
• Able to develop and administer communications strategies for a range of audiences, including development of newsletters on platforms such as Sway
• Experience of managing social media presence and communications
• Experience of working across university and healthcare providers with understanding of how research is delivered across the two sectors
• Experience of developing and operationalising administrative systems

Desirable

• Experience of overseeing / supervising other administrative staff 

Attributes and Behaviour

• Able to prioritise and manage competing tasks
• Able to maintain confidentiality
• Good interpersonal and team working skills
• Evidence of a commitment to continuing professional development

Qualifications

• Educated to NVQ Level 3 /A Level Standard or equivalent in relevant discipline and GCSE Grades A-C (or equivalent) in English and Maths plus work experience in a relevant role; or substantial work experience in a similar role with evidence of success

Desirable

• Educated to degree level

Newcastle University is a global University where everyone is treated with dignity and respect.  As a University of Sanctuary, we aim to provide a welcoming place of safety for all, offering opportunities to people fleeing violence and persecution.

We are committed to being a fully inclusive university which actively recruits, supports and retains colleagues from all sectors of society.  We value diversity as well as celebrate, support and thrive on the contributions of all of our employees and the communities they represent.  We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer and encourage applications from individuals who can complement our existing teams, we believe that success is built on having teams whose backgrounds and experiences reflect the diversity of our university and student population.

At Newcastle University we hold a Gold Athena Swan award in recognition of our good employment practices for the advancement of gender equality.  We also hold a Race Equality Charter Bronze award in recognition of our work towards tackling race inequality in higher education REC.  We are a Disability Confident employer and will offer an interview to disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role as part of the offer and interview scheme.

In addition, we are a member of the Euraxess initiative supporting researchers in Europe. 

Requisition ID: 29228