Cookies on this website

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you click 'Accept all cookies' we'll assume that you are happy to receive all cookies and you won't see this message again. If you click 'Reject all non-essential cookies' only necessary cookies providing core functionality such as security, network management, and accessibility will be enabled. Click 'Find out more' for information on how to change your cookie settings.

Four Oxford University Trial Managers from four different trial units and departments recently organised a careers and networking event.

Held on 23 January in the Richard Doll Lecture Theatre at Old Road Campus, the event - ‘Your Career in Clinical Trials’ - was attended by over 100 people from a range of Trial Management and Administration backgrounds.

The event featured a series of talks from experts in the field of industry and academia. The speakers were: Maria Breen (Freelance Clinical Research Consultant), Jo Cook (Research Nurse turned Trial Manager, Nuffield Department of Surgical Sciences), Justine Reise (Director of Operations, Imperial Clinical Trials Unit), Jacqui Spencer (Founder of 'Anything is Possible' which offers Career and Life Coaching) and Surjeet Singh (Clinical Research Site Manager, Synexus Thames Valley Research Site).

During the session, participants gained an insight into the different careers in the management and administration of trials, formed an understanding of how they can develop their career in trial management, learned about new training opportunities and had the opportunity to network with people ‘in the know’.

A career in clinical trials can be a fascinating and rewarding one. Oxford is unique in the number of UKCRC Registered Trial Units in one city and a vast array of cutting-edge research in many disease areas is carried out. This spread of Trial Management staff across different units and departments can however give rise to isolation of Trial staff. Networking can be challenging, as well as understanding the different careers available in Trial Management, career development pathways and training opportunities.

The organisers, Steffi le Conte, Elena Villarreal, Elizabeth Nuthall and Ryonfa Lee, commented: ‘A career in trial management is often misunderstood as a glorified admin role. We hope that by putting on events of this kind myths such as this will be broken. Behind every successful trial will be a dedicated, hard-working trial team whose progression and development must be supported and nurtured, as well as their role within the Trial duly acknowledged.’

The event was kindly supported by the Oxford BRC and Thames Valley CRN, and there were display stands from the ICR, Thames Valley CRN and OCTO. The session concluded with a drinks and canape networking reception.

Your Career in Clinical Trials© NDS

A few of the many positive comments received both during and after the event:

"It genuinely was amazing. I don’t think you could have chosen a better group of speakers."

"It was a brilliant day – really inspiring (and reassuring) to hear all the different personal stories and ‘pathways’, and it definitely gave me ideas and inspiration for potential future career moves!"

"Congratulations on yesterday’s event. I know how much work goes into making something like that happen, especially making it happen so smoothly. It was a great afternoon and hope you all managed to get a big glass of bubbles at the end!"

Similar stories

Potential for radiotherapy and VTP multimodality therapy for prostate cancer

A recent collaborative study from the University of Oxford has investigated the potential benefit of a combined therapy approach to prostate cancer treatment, using radiotherapy and vascular targeted photodynamic therapy (VTP), which could lead to first-in-man early phase clinical trials.

Omair Shariq wins Best Clinical Paper at the American Association of Endocrine Surgeons 2021 Annual Meeting

Dr Omair Shariq, a DPhil student and clinical research fellow in the Nuffield Department of Surgical Sciences (NDS) and Oxford Centre for Diabetes Endocrinology and Metabolism (OCDEM), has received the 2021 Best Presentation for Clinical Research award during the 41st Annual Meeting of the American Association of Endocrine Surgeons (AAES), which was held virtually on 25-27 April 2021.

Artificial intelligence tool for streamlining pathology workflow

A multidisciplinary team, comprising Andrea Chatrian, Dr Richard Colling, Professor Clare Verrill, Professor Jens Rittscher and colleagues, develops an algorithm for automated requesting of additional investigation in diagnostically uncertain prostate biopsies.

Blog posts

Marathon challenge for Prostate Cancer UK

Runners of all abilities started 2023 by challenging themselves to run 26.2 miles across January to fundraise for Prostate Cancer UK as part of the charity’s Run the Month: Marathon Edition.

Staff Census: We need you!

All Medical Sciences staff are invited to log into HR self-service and ensure their contact, diversity background and disability details are up to date. Between 6% and 27% of staff in the Division are missing their diversity data which makes it difficult to complete statutory reporting, understand or track our population changes and to plan actions around staff diversity and equality – make sure your data is complete today!

Oxford MedSci goes silver: 10 Years of Athena SWAN

The Medical Sciences Division is celebrating 10 years since its first Athena Swan bronze application, and the first year in which all 16 of its departments have achieved a silver award. The silver award recognises commitment to gender equality, understanding culture and context, and more. Read about our department’s hard work and innovation.