Lead Research Nurse

NHS; Camberley; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider in the UK is seeking a Lead Research Nurse to join their Research and Innovation department. The successful candidate will oversee clinical research studies, mentor staff, and ensure compliance with research governance. This role offers the chance to impact patient outcomes and contribute to the growth of clinical research. The position is open to flexible working, and the base location can be chosen between two hospitals.

Benefits

Professional development opportunities

Flexible working arrangement

Supportive team environment

Qualifications

• Experience leading research teams at Band 7 or above required.
• Significant experience in commercial and academic research.
• Knowledge of UK health research framework and MHRA.

Responsibilities

• Provide operational leadership of clinical research studies.
• Mentor research staff and manage performance.
• Ensure safe delivery of clinical trials.

Skills

Leadership

Communication skills

Research governance knowledge

Clinical research experience

Education

Master's level qualification or equivalent experience

NMC Registration

ICH-GCP certification

Tools

MS Office

Research management tools

Job description

Job summary

Lead Research Nurse Department: Research and Innovation (R&I)

An exciting opportunity to shape the future of clinical research at Frimley Health.

Are you a passionate and experienced registered nurse with a strong background in clinical research and leadership? Are you ready to take the next step in your career and make a real impact on patient outcomes and research excellence?

We are looking for a dynamic and motivated Lead Research Nurse to join our expanding Research and Innovation department at Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust. This cross-site leadership role is ideal for someone who thrives on challenge, champions best practice, and wants to play a key role in the continued growth and success of our research portfolio.

Working alongside a multidisciplinary team of clinicians, researchers, and healthcare professionals, you will help deliver high-quality clinical research across the Trust. You will be instrumental in driving forward our research strategy, leading and mentoring research staff, and ensuring the delivery of safe, effective, and innovative care to patients participating in research studies.

This role is cross site and the successful candidate has the option to choose either Wexham Park Hospital or Frimley Park Hospital as a base location.

Main duties of the job

Working alongside a multidisciplinary team of clinicians, researchers, and healthcare professionals, you will help deliver high-quality clinical research across the Trust. You will be instrumental in driving forward our research strategy, leading and mentoring research staff, and ensuring the delivery of safe, effective, and innovative care to patients participating in research studies.

We welcome applications from experienced senior registered nurses who:

• Are confident leaders with proven management experience in a research setting.
• Possess excellent communication, interpersonal and organisational skills.
• Demonstrate flexibility, resilience, and a commitment to quality improvement.
• Are passionate about research and its potential to transform care.
• Have a strong working knowledge of research governance and clinical trial delivery.

About us

Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust is committed to being an inclusive and disability confident employer and has been awarded the Gold for the Armed Forces Employment Recognition Scheme. We provide first class development opportunities for all staff and have a wide range of professional, management and leadership, and clinical skills training available.

Here at Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust, we know how important it is to have a healthy work life balance; this benefits not only individuals but the patients we care for too.

We encourage applications from people who wish to work on a flexible basis, recognising that flexibility may mean a range of different working patterns and hours, we do our utmost to work with our staff to meet their needs and the needs of our service and its users.

Job responsibilities

Research Leadership

• Provide expert oversight and operational leadership of clinical research studies across a range of specialties.
• Lead the implementation of the Trusts research strategy, including the Organisational Readiness Tool (SORT) and feasibility assessments.
• Offer specialist guidance in ICH-GCP, study design, set-up, recruitment, and delivery.
• Work collaboratively with the NIHR Regional Research Delivery Network (RRDN), commercial sponsors, and investigators to ensure research is viable, efficient, and patient-centred.
• Contribute to the development of SOPs, strategy documents, and business plans to shape the future of research at FHFT.

People & Performance Management

• Provide professional and compassionate leadership to senior research nurses and the wider research delivery team.
• Support recruitment, induction, training, and mentorship of research delivery staff.
• Promote digital innovation by encouraging use of research management tools such as EDGE and EPIC.
• Actively manage workforce performance, compliance, and development in line with Trust policies.
• Oversee study delivery and ensure compliance with national frameworks and Trust governance.

Education, Training & Engagement

• Lead and support continuous professional development for research staff.
• Work with the R&I training lead to implement tailored training plans and development pathways.
• Play an active role in increasing awareness and engagement in research across the Trust.
• Champion Patient, Public Involvement and Engagement (PPIE) initiatives.

Clinical Excellence

• Maintain a visible clinical presence across specialties, acting as a role model and expert practitioner.
• Support safe, effective delivery of clinical trials in accordance with NMC code and ICH-GCP principles.
• Deliver compassionate care to patients participating in trials, providing specialist support and information.
• Monitor patient safety, administer treatments, and manage trial protocols as needed.
• Ensure meticulous documentation and data quality in line with study and regulatory requirements

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential:

• NMC Registration
• Master's level qualification or equivalent demonstrable experience
• ICH-GCP certification

Desirable:

• Managerial qualification

Experience

Essential:

• Significant experience as Research Nurse in the management of research teams at Band 7 or above
• Experience of commercial and academic research.
• Extensive knowledge of the requirements of the UK policy framework for health and social care research and Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA)

Skills & Knowledge

Essential:

• Comprehensive understanding of the research process
• Extensive experience of clinical research within various NHS settings and specialties
• Computer literacy (including all MS Office packages & Internet skills)

Desirable:

• Previous experience of audit, monitoring, quality and evaluation

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.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration.