Clinical Research Trials Assistant

South West London and St Georges Mental Health Trust; Tooting; Hybrid; GBP 24,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading mental health research institution in Tooting is seeking a Clinical Research Trials Assistant. The role offers the chance to gain hands-on experience in clinical research delivery while supporting the recruitment of participants for NIHR studies. You will conduct assessments, maintain data integrity, and work in a pro-diverse environment with flexibility. Training and professional development are provided to facilitate career growth within the research domain.

Benefits

Flexible working hours

Career development opportunities

Continuous professional training

Qualifications

• Experience in clinical research delivery and participant recruitment.
• Ability to conduct clinical and psychometric assessments.
• Familiarity with Good Clinical Practice (GCP) guidelines.

Responsibilities

• Recruit participants into NIHR clinical research studies.
• Support research delivery across the Trust's research portfolio.
• Ensure participants' well-being and informed consent.

Skills

Knowledge of ethical principles for clinical research

Data collection and management

Strong communication skills

Judgment skills for assessing participant suitability

Education

Relevant degree or experience in clinical research

Job description

South West London & St George’s Mental Health NHS Trust is committed to hosting high‑quality research. The Clinical Research Unit based at Barnes Hospital (temporarily based in Teddington) serves a Trust‑wide research portfolio in observational and interventional Phase II‑IV trials.

We are looking to appoint an enthusiastic Clinical Research Trials Assistant to join the Team and support our work on National Institute of Health Research (NIHR) portfolio studies. This post provides a great opportunity for the successful candidate to gain experience in clinical research delivery, work together with other researchers in the Team, recruit participants and carry out clinical and psychometric assessments. Personal professional development through training, educational meetings and career guidance will also be available.

Career progression pathways and development opportunities: We have career pathways available across R&D Governance and Clinical Research Delivery, with ongoing training in governance, clinical research administration and delivery.

As part of this role, the candidate will recruit participants into NIHR clinical research studies and support the research delivery team across all areas of the Trust NIHR research portfolio, potentially involving cross‑site working.

Agile and flexible working: As one of the few Trusts in London we offer flexible, agile working. In this role you will work Monday to Friday between 08:00 and 18:00, giving you a good work‑life balance.

Core Responsibilities

• Develop knowledge of the ethical principles for clinical research and its implications for current practice.
• Provide robust operational support in all aspects of clinical trials administration according to Good Clinical Practice (GCP) guidelines, local SOPs and other relevant SWLStG policies.
• Maintain personal and professional development, ensuring all relevant skills and training (e.g. GCP) are up‑to‑date.
• Help identify mental health service users and carers who are eligible to take part in a range of research projects and provide information and support for users involved in research projects.
• Collect data, which will involve interviewing, supporting and monitoring patients, and working closely with the Research Unit Coordinator and the Data Analyst to facilitate the unit.
• Recruit patients to observational trials and participate in the follow‑up and completion of relevant trial‑specific paperwork.
• Ensure that patients’ care and treatment, assessments, follow‑up and data collection are conducted according to the appropriate research protocols, liaising with mental health, social care and primary care services.

Clinical Responsibilities

• Ensure the well‑being of study participants as the primary concern of research practice.
• Support the recruitment of participants into the clinical studies.
• Act as the patient’s guide and advocate through the decision‑making process, enabling patients to articulate reasons for trial participation or refusal and helping patients to deal with uncertainties of trial participation.
• Use judgement skills to assess patients’ suitability for trial participation and advise Consultants/care coordinators of suitability.
• Ensure that the procedures of consenting are followed, including information to patients/carers/next of kin regarding research methods, results, treatment decisions and medication adherence.
• Keep up to date with developments in research practice and ensure such practice throughout the Trust is in keeping with current legislation and guidance.
• Carry out clinical assessments in line with specific eligibility criteria.
• Organise and manage defined procedures, assist with intervention treatments and collect/record data arising from these.
• Undertake training in psychometric assessments and monitor trials procedures.

Research Responsibilities

• Exercise professional judgement and knowledge of trial eligibility criteria when identifying suitable patients for clinical trials.
• Register and randomise patients into the clinical database.
• Take responsibility for accurate and complete data collection, updating and maintenance of databases and computerised systems, including creation of spreadsheets for patient tracking and ensuring corresponding documentation is recorded in medical notes.
• Ensure that trial protocols are adhered to by all members of the multi‑disciplinary team, ordering and arranging all required follow‑up appointments and tests.
• Maintain the source data and case report forms and all other trail documents in a manner conducive to audit.
• Report adverse events following the study procedures, including expedited reporting of Serious Adverse Events and Suspected Unexpected Serious Adverse Reactions.
• Coordinate investigations, collect samples and ensure safe and appropriate storage of specimens as part of the clinical research protocol.
• Play a key role in eliciting informed consent from service users and carers to participate in clinical trials.
• Take responsibility for the resolution of data queries, follow‑ups and trial closedown.
• Participate in clinical audit and Research and Development activities, including nurse‑led research projects.

Communication

• Support the Research Unit co‑ordinator and the Head of the CRU‑POAN in ensuring that effective communication systems are in place to facilitate the dissemination of research findings.
• Work closely with the research team and the research stakeholders (internal and external), including Trust staff, other members of the multidisciplinary team, service users, carers, their families and the wider research community if necessary.

Portfolio Management and Professional Development

• Complete mandatory Trust training and ensure that supervision is done within the timely manner.
• Complete mandatory study training when required.
• Liaise with and assist the medical team/sponsor organisation on‑study treatment and follow‑up of patients.
• Support the administrative management of the CRU‑POAN portfolio.
• Account for own professional actions, working autonomously without direct supervision.
• Demonstrate specialised mental health site‑specific knowledge relevant to the area of practice.
• Assume responsibility for continuous education by attending related workshops, seminars, conferences and courses as well as keeping up to date on current publications.

Developing the Service

• Support the development of the service by ensuring that the service users, their relatives and/or carers are empowered to be fully participative in research activity wherever possible.
• Contribute to the development and maintenance of Trust R&D standard operating procedures (SOPs).

This advert closes on Wednesday 11 February 2026.