Lead Research Nurse

NHS; Frimley; Hybrid; GBP 57,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider in Frimley is seeking an experienced Lead Research Nurse. This role involves providing leadership in clinical research while mentoring research staff. Candidates should have significant experience in research management and hold NMC registration and ICH-GCP certification. The position offers an annual salary of £57,888 to £64,880 including HCAS, with options for flexible working arrangements.

Benefits

Flexible working arrangements

Continuing Professional Development funding

Education and leadership training programs

Qualifications

• Proven management experience in a research setting.
• Significant experience as a Research Nurse at Band 7 or above.
• Extensive knowledge of UK health research requirements.
• Demonstrated commitment to quality improvement.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership in clinical research studies across multiple specialties.
• Lead and mentor research staff to ensure effective study delivery.
• Drive the Trust's research strategy and ensure compliance.
• Engage in continuous professional development for the research team.

Skills

Clinical research management

Leadership

Communication

Interpersonal skills

Organizational skills

Research governance knowledge

Education

NMC Registration

ICH-GCP certification

Job description

Lead Research NurseDepartment: 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.

Frimley Health Trust benefits on Vimeo

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

We offer exceptional opportunities for career advancement to the successful candidate through a variety of educational and development programs, including Continuing Professional Development funding, Education Academy programs, and courses in leadership, human factors, and communication, along with support for fellowships, grants, and awards.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• NMC Registration
• ICH-GCP certification

Experience

• 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

• Comprehensive understanding of the research process
• Extensive experience of clinical research within various NHS settings and specialties
• 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.

£57,888 to £64,880 a yearper annum incl HCAS