Clinical Research Practitioner

King's College Hospital; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 48,000 - 57,000; Full time

Job summary

King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a Clinical Research Practitioner in Rheumatology (Band 6) on a 12-month fixed-term contract. The role is full time (37.5 hours) on site at Denmark Hill and involves coordinating the REFLECT study and other rheumatology research.

You will recruit and follow up participants, collect samples, manage data, and support analysis in collaboration with the sponsor team. A strong background in health research and regulatory requirements is required.

Qualifications

• Degree or equivalent in a relevant field with research exposure.
• Experience in qualitative and quantitative health research methods.
• Knowledge of regulatory requirements for clinical studies.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and deliver the REFLECT study from start to finish.
• Recruit and follow up participants within rheumatology studies.
• Collect and process blood samples during patient visits.
• Support data management and analysis with sponsor team.
• Assist in wider rheumatology studies and patient recruitment.

Skills

Patient facing

Regulatory awareness

Study coordination

Data management

Team collaboration

Education

Degree in a relevant field

Research training/experience

Masters/PhD in health-related subject

Job description

Main area Rheumatology Grade NHS AfC: Band 6 Contract 12 months (Fixed term to deliver specific project) Hours Full time - 37.5 hours per week (This is a patient facing role which will be based on site (Denmark Hill)) Job ref 213-CORP-8315045

Employer King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust Employer type NHS Site Kings College Hospital - Denmark Hill Town Denmark Hill Salary £47,951 - £56,863 per annum inclusive of HCAS Salary period Yearly Closing 04/11/2026 23:59

King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is one of the UK’s largest and busiest teaching Trusts with a turnover of c£2.1 billion, 1.5 million patient contacts a year and more than 14,000 staff based across 5 main sites in South East London. The Trust provides a full range of local hospital services across its different sites, and specialist services from King’s College Hospital (KCH) sites at Denmark Hill in Camberwell and at the Princess Royal University Hospital (PRUH) site in the London Borough of Bromley.

We encourage all our staff to have a healthy work/life balance. In doing so, you can apply for flexible working from the beginning of your employment. We offer a range of options which are designed to suit different circumstances and priorities in line with service requirements.

The Clinical Research Practitioner will support the Trust to deliver a grant funded research project, "The REFLECT study - Research on Experiences of Flares: Lived impact, Events, Clusters, and Trajectories". The role will involve undertaking study related procedures as appropriate including the assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of care of research participants throughout the duration of the project. The appointee will be responsible for the recruitment to and follow up of patients in this research study and other high-quality studies in the rheumatology research portfolio. They will also be involved in data management and analysis.

Main duties of the job

This job will combine coordination and delivery of the REFLECT study, and also support for the wider portfolio of rheumatology research.

The post-holder will coordinate the REFLECT study from start to finish, conducting patient visits including collecting and processing blood samples. They will work closely with the sponsor team in Bath on data managament and analysis, alongisde the patient facing role.

They will also support other CRP, Research nurse, Clinical Research Fellow and Coordinator colleagues to support patient recruitment and follow-up for other rheumatology studies.

See the attached JD for further information

Working for our organisation

The Trust provides a full range of local and specialist services across its five sites. In June 2026, we launched our new strategy for 2026-31. Our vision is to transform healthcare, and we have agreed six strategic ambitions to help us improve care for patients, and the working lives of our staff.

Our six strategic ambitions are deliveringhigh-quality patient care; creating a great place to work; leading pioneering research, innovation and education; building strong and successful partnerships; providing timely and efficient care; and ensuring long-term financial sustainability.

We have also agreed four new organisational values – Caring, Collaborative, Inclusive, Innovative – and these underpin everything we do, and how our teams interact with the patients under our care.

We are at a pivotal point in our history and we require individuals who are ready to join a highly professional team and make a real, lasting difference to our patients and our people.

King’s is committed to delivering Sustainable Healthcare for All via our Green Plan. In line with national Greener NHS ambitions, we have set net zero carbon targets of 2040 for our NHS Carbon Footprint and 2045 for our NHS Carbon Footprint Plus. Everyone’s contribution is required in order to meet the goals set out in our Green Plan and we encourage all staff to work responsibly, minimising their contributions to the Trust’s carbon emissions, waste and pollution wherever possible.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Main Duties and Responsibilities

1.Assist in the process of gaining and maintaining all appropriate regulatory approvals associated with the conduct of the clinical study and other related high-quality clinical studies.

2.Responsible for recruiting to and following up participants within the study and other clinical studies and trials in the rheumatology research portfolio.

3.Ensure written informed consent has been obtained for any treatment provided for, or any data collected from a participant, which will form part of a research study, in accordance with the Trust research governance arrangements and The International Conference on Harmonisation of Good Clinical Practice (ICH GCP) Guideline.

4.Undertake study related tasks and procedures as required for the project, ensuring that they are carried out within the study protocols, Trust’s policies, research governance guidance, the International Conference on Harmonisation of Good Clinical Practice (ICH GCP) Guideline and the Data Protection Act.

5.Act as a patient advocate, enabling patients to make informed choices concerning their involvement in the clinical trial and other related high quality clinical studies, and ensure appropriate advice and information is provided.

6.Evaluate research protocols and participant information materials and ensure that information about studies is clearly and appropriately communicated to research participants.

7.Undertake collection and management of study participant data (qualitative and quantitative).

8.Undertake training and maintain competency to use relevant equipment as per study protocols, eg. centrifuges.

9. Maintain all data and case report forms relating to the clinical trial and other high quality clinical studies in accordance with The International Conference on Harmonisation of Good Clinical Practice (ICH GCP) Guideline.

10. Analyse clinical data related to the trial and other related high quality clinical studies, working under the supervision of the Principle and Chief Investigators and other members of the wider research study team.

11. Work within the organisational policies and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) of the Trust and create procedures and SOPs as required for each research study.

12. Assist the Principle Investigator and other members of the study team in managing incidents, accidents and complaints in accordance with Trust policies and procedures.

13. Participate in audit of research procedures and processes as required.

14. Ensure all study documents are kept up to date, version controlled and effectively stored and archived as required.

15. Maintain an up-to-date knowledge of research related topics particularly related to qualitative studies.

16. Always communicate effectively and work to maintain a harmonious working environment.

17. Attend and organise meetings, workshops and conferences as agreed by the Chief or Principle Investigators and members of the wider research study team.

18. Effectively communicate research findings to different audiences, including patient and public contributors.

19. Be responsible for maintaining own competency through continuing professional development activities, including peer review, reflective practice, maintenance of a personal portfolio and attendance at specialist training courses/ events and local / national meetings as agreed with the Chief Investigator and members of the research study team.

20. Participate in regular performance appraisal meetings.

21. Provide training for students / others working on relevant research projects as appropriate.

22. Act as a role model by participating in group meetings and activities, showing a commitment to achieving results, encouraging and supporting other members of the team and patient and public involvement contributors and raising suggestions for continuous improvement

23. Any other duties appropriate to the post and grade that may be reasonably requested.

Education or qualifications

• Degree in a relevant field OR qualified nurse / AHP or research professional with relevant experience.
• Research training and or relevant experience, in quantitative and qualitative research and statistics.
• Masters or PhD qualification in a health-related subject or working towards.

Knowledge and experience

• Experience in applied health research e.g. ethics procedures and information governance, qualitative data collection and data analysis
• Experience of recruiting participants to research studies.
• Experience of clinical studies or trials
• Knowledge of research methodologies, quality, standard setting, benchmarking / audit.
• Experience of reporting and presenting research findings.
• Experience of working with people with musculoskeletal / long-term conditions.

skills and competencies

• Computer skills: with Excel Spread sheets and patient database systems, email and Microsoft office packages
• Able to use qualitative and quantitative software packages, e.g. NVivo, Stata.

AI tools like chatbots and virtual assistants can support you as you complete your application. For example, they can check for spelling or grammar errors, or help you to decide what to include. They shouldn’t however replace your own responses or be used to write the application for you.

Relying too much on AI can negatively impact your chances of success because automatically generated answers:

• might not be specific or relevant enough to address the criteria in the recruitment profile
• often seem generic and not personalised enough – an AI response won’t show your unique voice and perspective
• could misrepresent information about you, such as your qualifications, skills and experience

We monitor applications for any behaviour that could create an unfair advantage, and we check all references carefully. You are likely to be tested on your experience at interview, so be honest and make sure all the information in your application is correct.

King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust Annual Reports and Other Corporate PublicationsKing's Health Partners Academic Health Science Centre WebsiteKing's College Hospital is part of King's Health Partners Academic Health Sciences Centre (AHSC), a pioneering collaboration between King's College London, and Guy's and St Thomas', King's College Hospital and South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trusts.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Application numbers

Name Alice Sheen Job title Clinical Studies Manager - Rheumatology Research Email address [e-mail] Telephone number 02078480214