Band 7 Senior Liver Research Nurse

NHS; City Of London; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare institution in London is seeking a Senior Liver Research Nurse to manage clinical trials and oversee junior staff. This role requires substantial experience in liver research and expertise in coordinating complex trials. The ideal candidate will lead a dynamic team, ensuring high standards of care in a fast-paced environment. This position offers an opportunity to contribute significantly to liver research efforts within a prominent NHS Trust.

Qualifications

• Substantial experience within liver research.
• Experience conducting clinical trials in phases 1-3.
• Oncology research experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage a portfolio of clinical trials.
• Ensure compliance with trial protocols and governance.
• Identify and recruit patients suitable for clinical trials.

Skills

Excellent communication

Coordination

Attention to detail

Regulatory knowledge

Leadership

Education

NMC Registered Nurse Level 1

Post-graduate qualification with research methodology

ICH/GCP Training

SACT training

Tools

MS Office

Job description

Overview

Band 7 Senior Liver Research Nurse — King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

The closing date is 07 October 2025

We have an exciting opportunity for a Senior Research Nurse to join our busy, dynamic team in the Liver Research Unit at Denmark Hill.

The post holder will be expected to lead the coordination and successful delivery of clinical trials, carry out feasibility reviews for new studies and contribute to trial costing and trial budgetary management. The post holder will have line management and leadership responsibilities and will be involved in the development and growth of the unit, supporting senior staff where required.

Successful candidates will need substantial experience within liver research, be confident with handling complex trials and be committed to delivering a high standard of care within a challenging, dynamic clinical environment. Key skills include excellent communication and coordination, attention to detail, regulatory knowledge and the ability to lead a team to achieve goals.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will lead a portfolio of clinical trials and manage junior staff, including Clinical Trial and Data coordinators. They will work autonomously, providing management and leadership to junior staff, closely monitoring and coordinating the trial protocol and ensuring trial governance and patient safety are prioritised. The post holder will lead the coordination of phase I to IV clinical trials, carry out feasibility reviews for new studies and contribute to trial costing and trial management.

As a Trial Lead, the post holder will attend clinics, wards and multidisciplinary meetings to identify patients suitable for entry into trials and ensure the informed consent process is strictly followed.

The post holder will take overall responsibility for the administration of trial drugs and must be aware of and ensure any side effects are reported in line with the protocol, good clinical practice, trust procedures and guidelines.

About us

King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is one of the UK's largest and busiest teaching Trusts with a turnover of approximately £1 billion, 1.5 million patient contacts a year and around 14,000 staff across five main sites in South East London. The Trust provides local hospital services across its sites, and specialist services from King's College Hospital sites at Denmark Hill and at the Princess Royal University Hospital site in Bromley.

King's is committed to Sustainable Healthcare via our Green Plan, with net zero carbon targets of 2040 for the NHS Carbon Footprint and 2045 for the NHS Carbon Footprint Plus. We encourage all staff to minimise carbon emissions, waste and pollution wherever possible.

The trust-wide strategy Strong Roots, Global Reach aims to be Bold, Brilliant people, Outstanding care, Leaders in Research, Innovation and Education, with Diversity, Equality and Inclusion at the heart of everything we do.

Job responsibilities

Clinical Responsibilities

• Work autonomously to manage a large portfolio of studies, ensuring trial protocols and governance are strictly adhered to and upholding duty of care to patients and families.
• Manage and lead phase I to III studies and contribute to trial costing and budgetary management.
• Ensure trials are conducted within EU clinical trial directives in accordance with ICH GCP, ensuring protocol adherence at all times.
• Identify patients suitable for entry into clinical trials by attending clinics, screening notes/consultant referrals, and MDT meetings, liaising with disease-specific Clinical Nurse Specialists.
• Participate in the informed consent process, acting as a resource and support to patients and families.
• Coordinate the research patient pathway from screening through to trial completion.
• Oversee/support administration of trial drugs, reporting any side effects per protocol and Trust guidelines with local nursing teams and medical staff.
• Maintain adequate patient records and ensure documentation in medical and nursing notes.
• Ensure accurate, timely completion of Clinical Research Forms (CRFs).
• Collect, coordinate and computerise data generated from clinical trials.
• Identify strategies for recruiting patients and mentor less experienced team members to implement those strategies.
• Act as a role model for excellence in liver research.

Portfolio Management and Development

• Review trial protocols and identify resource implications for the site.
• Liaise with medical teams and sponsor organisations to coordinate on-study treatment and follow-up of patients.
• Supervise the research team to ensure robust data collation from clinical trials.
• Ensure accrual data is reported to Sponsors and that information is available to raise invoices where appropriate.
• Build strong professional relationships with other departments to promote a positive working environment.
• Educate medical and nursing staff about the portfolio of clinical trials.
• Present research findings within the Trust and report adverse incidents and near misses per Trust policy.
• Maintain ongoing progress discussions with the Research Matron, Lead Trial Consultant and Lead Investigator.
• Attend monthly portfolio performance review meetings and address issues as they arise.
• Provide cover for annual leave, study leave, or sickness leave when necessary.
• Contribute to yearly business planning to ensure the research team is properly structured and resourced.

Staff Management and Leadership

• Manage a group of staff including nursing, lab, trial coordinators and administrative staff.
• Provide leadership and ensure staff are managed in line with Trust policies.
• Assist in recruitment and induction of junior staff, including nursing, data managers, and clinical trial coordinators; oversee induction and development.
• Conduct staff appraisals, set objectives and assess performance using agreed frameworks, promoting development.
• Manage sickness, disciplinary and performance issues per Trust policies.
• Ensure compliance with Trust policies and financial instructions.
• Assess resource availability and minimise impact of staff shortages on service delivery.
• Inform staff of Trial Unit objectives and performance targets and their role in delivering them.

Personal and Professional Development

• Lead service development for the research team and Trust.
• Develop and implement the key worker concept within the Research Team.
• Develop strategies to maintain and increase patient recruitment into liver clinical trials within KCH.
• Maintain the high profile of KCH in line with the liver research strategy.
• Contribute to policy and procedure development across networks.
• Work with the Research Matron to meet accrual targets for CRN and commercial trials; address shortfalls as needed.
• Develop quality assurance strategies and participate in relevant training and education days.
• Attend investigator meetings and conferences as required; keep up to date with professional development and research.
• Prepare posters/research papers for meetings and publications; represent the research team at local and national forums.
• Mentor and support team members; participate in clinical supervision as supervisor and supervisee per NMC guidelines.
• Undertake performance reviews and annual appraisals; adhere to Trust policies.
• Maintain NMC registration where applicable and work within the NMC Code of Professional Conduct.

General

• Duty of care for personal health and safety and that of colleagues, visitors and patients; comply with infection control and governance requirements.
• Observe and comply with Trust policies, procedures and professional obligations; maintain confidentiality.
• Commit to personal development and contribute to colleagues' development.
• Job description is a guide and may evolve; review in consultation with the post holder.
• Be responsible for infection control and follow infection control and hygiene requirements as per national and local policies.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• NMC Registered Nurse Level 1
• ICH/GCP Training
• Post-graduate qualification with a research methodology element
• SACT training (chemotherapy course)

Experience

• Previous experience conducting clinical trials in phases 1-3
• Substantial experience in liver research
• Oncology research experience
• Experience collaborating with other agencies
• Knowledge and experience handling complex relationships

Skills and Ability

• Understanding of regulatory requirements pertaining to trials
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to work independently within a multi-disciplinary team
• Ability to work under pressure and maintain accuracy
• Teamwork and collaboration
• Innovation and proactive management of change
• Adaptability to changing situations
• Proficiency in MS Office
• Flexible working hours as required
• Ability to organise, prioritise and coordinate work
• Understanding of the NMC Code of Professional Conduct
• Experience with audits and quality management systems

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975; a DBS disclosure will be checked.

King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Address

King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

24 months

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

213-CORP-7473743

Job locations

King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust