Senior Research Nurse

Job summary

We are seeking an experienced, enthusiastic, and highly motivated Senior Research Nurse to lead and support the delivery of high-quality clinical research across Northampton General Hospital. Northampton General Hospital is a spoke site within the Leicestershire and Northamptonshire Commercial Research Delivery Centre (CRDC).

Established in 2025, CRDCs were created to strengthen the UK's position as a global leader in clinical research by increasing capacity, improving efficiency, and enhancing access to commercial research opportunities. The post holder will be responsible for managing a portfolio of clinical research studies and clinical trials from initial feasibility assessment through to study close-out.

This will include screening, recruitment, consent (where appropriate), and ongoing follow-up of participants enrolled into research studies. The role involves the collection and management of high-quality research data, ensuring compliance with the International Council for Harmonisation Good Clinical Practice (ICH-GCP) guidelines and the UK Policy Framework for Health and Social Care Research.

The post holder will contribute to the continuous improvement of research processes, participant experience, and the quality and integrity of research data. We welcome informal visits and discussions prior to interview.

Main duties of the job

The Senior Research Nurse (B6) is expected to support the management and leadership of the research nurse team and administrative staff within the research team. They will have knowledge and understanding of the regulatory and legal frameworks related to the planning, undertaking and closure of clinical research studies, including Clinical Trials of Investigational Medicinal Products and therefore acts as a resource for staff, researchers, research participants and patients. They will take a lead in ensuring the safe and effective delivery of a designated number of clinical research studies and contribute to maximising patient recruitment to those studies.

About us

Please submit your application as soon as possible, as we reserve the right to close adverts once sufficient applications have been received. We recognise that AI tools can support application writing; however, candidates are asked to keep their use to a minimum. Responses should reflect your own experience, skills and knowledge, as over-reliance on AI-generated content may result in generic answers that do not accurately represent your abilities.

University Hospitals of Northamptonshire (UHN) brings together Kettering General Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and Northampton General Hospital NHS Trust. As a group, we are committed to improving services for our communities through collaboration, modernising care delivery and striving for excellence.

Working together enables us to share expertise, strengthen services and create greater opportunities, and there may be a requirement to work across sites depending on service needs. Our Excellence Values are Compassion, Accountability, Respect, Integrity and Courage. UHN welcomes applications from all backgrounds and is committed to an inclusive working environment.

We are proud signatories of the Armed Forces Covenant and hold the Gold Award under the Employer Recognition Scheme. Candidates who identify as members of the Armed Forces community and meet the essential criteria will be guaranteed an interview.

Job responsibilities

Unit Management Manage a designated number of research studies Maintain a safe environment, for patients, staff and visitors, ensuring that all control measures comply with NGH current policies and procedures, and any statutory requirements, including all Health and Safety and Clinical Governance arrangements Use judgement in relation to competing demands for funding, staff and teamresources Contribute to the control of the research unit budget ensuring that adequatemeasures exist for delivery of the research studies Respond to change in line with the needs of service provision Responsible for the development and updating of teams policies and procedures Ensure that all record keeping within the department is appropriate, timely and clearly understood for the purpose of patient care, safety and data integrity Education Identify own learning needs and proactively seek educational opportunities to fulfil them Develop skills in accordance with the NIHR CRN Competency Framework for research delivery staff appropriate to the Band 6 role Strategic Role Be a champion of clinical research Support and influence the embedding of clinical research within the Trust Foster good relationships with key division research leads / support departments /Institutes and partners to promote the efficient running of clinical trials and develop the Trust research portfolio Contribute to the development and updating of research policies and procedures within NGH Take an active role in the activities of professional forums and networks Disseminate the results of research into clinical nursing practice Staff Management Maintain standards of practice in accordance with the legal rules and statutory regulations set out by the NMC or appropriate professional body Support the professional and educational development of research teams nursing,allied health professional and administrative staff, assisting in identifying needs and finding solutions Support the training and ensure the appropriate supervision of research teams staff, contributing to their mentorship and monitoring Line manage research nurses and A&C staff within the team as and when agreed Assist with the recruitment, selection, induction and orientation for new research nursing, allied health professional and administrative staff Facilitate the team working effectively and cohesively together, developing the relevant clinical skills, delivering studies to time and target Provide day to day management of the research team in the absence of the Clinical Research Managers, ensuring all staff and activities comply with trust policies and guidelines To act as a role model in establishing good practice and establishing standards of care and management that should be adhered to 24hrs a day Responsible for effective communication within the nursing teams ensuring that all members are well briefed on key departmental and corporate issues Promote an approach to patients focussed on care and compassion, ensuring courtesy and respect at all times Ensure that standard operating procedures are followed by all members of the research team Instigate and oversee Quality Improvement projects in Research & Innovation Study Set Up Ensure all elements of set up are completed in accordance with UK and EU legal requirements, Trust policies and ICH-GCP or IS0 14155, as appropriate, whether conducted personally or through appropriate delegation Signpost to advice and guidance on matters relating to research ethics and governance and in preparing submissions for regulatory and trust approval.

Have a detailed knowledge and understanding of research design and methodology Contribute to the assessment of study protocols and advise on any safety, regulatory and logistical issues Provide oversight for the set-up of a designated number of research studies within the team, acting as point of contact for R&I in the feasibility process Project manage study set up with colleagues from around the Trust (support departments, finance etc.) and within the University of Northampton Study Conduct Support local Principal Investigators in meeting their responsibilities outlined in regulatory and legal frameworks Support colleagues and researchers through the research study process, including the delivery of clinical aspects associated with the research study Ensure that processes and procedures for ensuring participant confidentiality are developed and adhered to in compliance with the Data Protection Act and Caldicott regulations.

Identify & screen appropriate study participants, in accordance with the protocol, & in conjunction with other members of the clinical & research teams Receive informed consent for designated research studies as agreed within the protocol Provide knowledge and demonstrate accurate attention to detail in documentationtasks, to include: o Investigator Site File maintenance o CRF completion o Documenting source data Contribute to the auditing and monitoring of research studies; respond to recommendations ensuring outcomes are shared within the division and wider UHN research community as appropriate.

Act as a resource to PIs in ensuring all Adverse Events and Serious Adverse Events are reported in line with ICH-GCP, ISO 14155 and UHN Adverse Events Reporting policy Where appropriate, liaise with the R&I department in identifying any barriers to recruitment and the running of the study; support the study team in developing strategies to mitigate them Support the study team in ensuring all reporting to regulatory bodies, R&I and Research Networks (if applicable) is completed in a timely manner Support the study team to ensure that all equipment used is appropriately checked and calibrated with supporting documentation retained Liaise with Sponsors to ensure all arrangements for research governance for each study are in place Study End Ensure all data clarification issues are resolved quickly Manage the archiving of study related documentation in line with the Trial Agreement and ICH-GCP / Medicines for Human Use (Clinical Trials) Regulations/ISO 14155 as appropriate.

Where appropriate, ensure a smooth transition from the research pathway back to the conventional treatment pathway

Person Specification

Educations, Training and

Qualifications · Essential

Educated to Postgraduate level (or by equivalent experience) in Nursing, Science or Health related discipline level or equivalent level of education, training or experience. Registered Nurse level 1 (Adult) with current NMC registration ICH GCP training Evidence of continuing professional development

Desirable

Teaching qualification

Knowledge and Experience · Essential

Broad knowledge and experience of clinical nursing practice within an acute hospital environment Research nursing experience Knowledge of the regulatory and legal frameworks related to undertaking clinical research Clinical, organizational and management experience Knowledge of Data Protection Act 1984 and Caldicott principles

Desirable

Project management experience Knowledge of research design and methodology

Skills · Essential

Broad range of clinical nursing skills Good interpersonal and communication skills Evidence of good teamwork skills Budgetary and resource management skills Good report writing, a focus on accuracy and meticulous attention to detail Ability to prioritise ensuring effective and efficient workload completion Ability to work flexibly according to role need Enthusiasm for and desire to embed research within clinical practice

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab) . From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab) .

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).