Patients and the public can provide valuable insights into many aspects of research but for them to be able to do this effectively it is important to be clear about their roles and responsibilities: PPI R&R guidance (PDF)
1) IDENTIFYING AND PRIORITISING
Patients and the public can help to determine research questions that are relevant to the people affected by a condition / users of the service being researched
2) COMMISSIONING
Patients and the public bring valuable perspective to the process of commissioning research and can be co-applicants on grant applications.
3) DESIGNING AND MANAGING
To ensure research is designed and managed with the patients’ needs a priority, there are a variety of ways patients and the public can provide insights: advising on study designs, reviewing patient information documents, as members on protocol development groups, study advisory groups, trial steering committees and trial management groups.
4) UNDERTAKING
Patients and the public may undertake tasks during the study period such as leading focus groups or gathering and reviewing evidence.
5) DISSEMINATION
It is important that the results of any research are reported effectively to the relevant patient groups. Patients and the public can advise on how results are communicated and to whom.
6) IMPLEMENTATION
Patients and the public can be key in ensuring that the results of research result in changes in practice and / or feed into future research.
7) EVALUATING IMPACT
Evaluating the impact of both research and PPI itself is important for accounting to funders as well as informing future work. Patients and the public are well placed to advise on methods of evaluation as well as being involved in the evaluation process itself.
If you would like further information on how to conduct patient and public involvement activities for your research please contact Marie Miller (m.miller@imperial.ac.uk).
The Collaborations Section is currently being updated.
If your request falls under one of the Therapeutic areas details for the relevant email can be found on the Therapeutic Area Contact Details Page.
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Visit our dedicated website for commercial sponsors interested in working with ICTU.
Temporary Clinical Trials Manager opportunity
We are looking for an experienced Clinical Trials Manager, preferably based in or near London, to join our supportive team on a temporary basis.
Based within the Department of Surgery and Cancer with the Imperial Vascular Unit at St Mary’s Hospital and at the Imperial Clinical Trials Unit (ICTU) in White City, you will be working with the Imperial Vascular Unit to deliver a long-term study to perform a multicentre randomised controlled trial in patients with uncomplicated type B aortic dissection, to answer the question whether thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) in the subacute phase in addition to best medical therapy is beneficial compared to standard treatment.
You will be responsible for all aspects of trial management, including close liaison with the Chief Investigator and Principal Investigators at other centres, management of the associated study and implementing and adapting established ICTU systems to ensure the trial is developed and conducted to the highest scientific and regulatory standards.
A Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in a biomedical/scientific field or related field and proven clinical trial/project management and monitoring experience gained in multi-centre, randomised trials is essential. You will need to show strong leadership and motivational skills as well as effective communication, organisational and time management skills.
This full-time temporary post is available from September 2026 and is offered for 3 months. Travel is expected between the Imperial College campuses and research sites.
For more information, please review the EARNEST TM (Temp) Job Description Aug 2026.pdf.
To apply for this position, please send your CV and covering letter to t.sasikaran@imperial.ac.uk (Operations Manager, ICTU).
Advert closing date: Tuesday, 25 August 2026
Interview date: Friday, 28 August 2026
Start date: ASAP, available from September
If you are interested, get in touch, we would love to hear from you!