Lead Research Nurse - AD SMART

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust; West of England; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust is seeking an experienced Lead Research Nurse to lead the AD-SMART trial, a phase 3 study evaluating a treatment for symptomatic Alzheimer's disease. The post holder will work with a multidisciplinary team to implement study protocols within a large NHS research delivery network.

The role requires robust nursing registration, postgraduate qualification, and substantial experience in Neuroscience research delivery, with leadership responsibilities and GCP knowledge.

Qualifications

• Registered Nurse with current live registration.
• Postgraduate qualification or equivalent experience.
• Considerable Neuroscience research delivery experience.
• Evidence of leadership and management training.
• Desirable: Up-to-date ICH-GCP certification.

Responsibilities

• Provide clinical, operational and professional leadership for the AD SMART study, ensuring safe, effective and compliant delivery.
• Lead and support the multi-professional research team.
• Coordinate day-to-day study delivery, including participant pathways, recruitment activity, study interventions, documentation, data quality and escalation of concerns.
• Work closely with Principal Investigators, sponsors and internal teams to support achieving recruitment targets and regulatory compliance.
• Promote high standards of participant care, safety, consent and transition between research and standard care.
• Contribute to service development, audits, quality assurance and wider R&D leadership initiatives.
• Oversee resources, budgets, expenditure, invoicing, equipment and research systems.

Skills

Advanced communication

Interpersonal skills

IT systems proficiency

Analytical decision making

Research governance understanding

Staff development

Education

Registered Nurse with live registration

Postgraduate qualification or equivalent experience

Neuroscience research delivery experience

Leadership/management training

ICH-GCP certification (desirable)

Job description

Education/Training/Qualifications

Essential criteria

North Bristol NHS Trust (NBT) and University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW) have merged as of 1st July 2026 to become Bristol NHS Foundation Trust. This creates an exciting future that brings together the best of both organisations. As a single, strong and sustainable organisation, we will not only be able to deliver better outcomes for our patients and fairer care for our population, but it will also provide greater opportunities for our people. Bristol NHS Foundation Trust recognise the value of a healthy work-life balance. When applying, speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate flexible working, so your work life fits around your home life. We particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates as they are under-represented within the Trust. Our job adverts may close as soon as sufficient applications have been received. Generative artificial intelligence (AI) describes algorithms that can be used to produce new content, including audio, code, images, text, simulations, and videos. It is developing all the time and is now being used as a support mechanism for all kinds of content-based creations. Please note the use of AI is monitored and if applicants have used it then they are required to declare this.

Job Overview

We are seeking an experienced and highly motivated Lead Research Nurse to lead on and deliver the AD-SMART trial, a phase 3 clinical trial evaluating a treatment for symptomatic Alzheimer's disease patients. The post holder will work alongside Senior Research Nurses and a highly specialised, multi-professional Neurosciences research delivery team to lead and deliver the study at Bristol NHS Foundation Trust (BFT).

Main duties of the job

The Lead Research Nurse will play a central role in the successful delivery of the AD-SMART trial at BFT, working closely with the Principle Investigator, trial Sponsor, and research delivery teams. The postholder will take responsibility for supporting study set-up, site initiation, and the ongoing management of trial delivery. Responsibilities will include developing and maintaining effective working relationships with key stakeholders, delivering training to clinical and research staff on study protocols and procedures, and ensuring protocol adherence, to recruit to time and target. The postholder will provide clinical expertise to support the safe management of trial participants and ensure study procedures are embedded within routine care.

Working for our organisation

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust brings together more than 28,000 staff to deliver over 160 clinical services across thirteen hospital locations, operating from three main sites at Southmead, Bristol city centre and Weston. With an annual turnover of £2.3 billion, we are now one of the largest NHS trusts in the United Kingdom. Our hospitals are spread across Bristol and Weston, join us and you can enjoy the very best of both worlds; city living within a stone’s throw of the countryside or beside the seaside, both with easy access to all that the South West has to offer. Bristol NHS Foundation Trust values all people as individuals. As an equal opportunities employer actively working towards a diverse workforce we aim to recruit and retain a workforce which represents the rich diversity of the local population at all levels and are committed to designing our services around the needs of individual patients and those around them. Anonymous information will be used from your application in order to ensure we’re meeting our pledge.

Detailed Job Description And Main Responsibilities

• Provide clinical, operational and professional leadership for the AD SMART study, ensuring safe, effective and compliant delivery in line with the protocol, ICH-GCP, ISO 14155, legislation, research governance and Trust policies.
• Lead and support the multi-professional research team
• Coordinate day-to-day study delivery, including participant pathways, recruitment activity, study interventions, documentation, data quality and escalation of concerns.
• Work closely with Principal Investigators, sponsors and internal teams to support achieving recruitment targets, reporting obligations and regulatory compliance.
• Promote high standards of participant care, safety, informed consent, confidentiality and transition between research and standard care pathways.
• Contribute to service development, quality assurance, audits, inspections, continuous improvement and wider R&D leadership initiatives.
• Oversee effective use of resources, including workforce capacity, allocated budgets, expenditure, invoicing, equipment, study files and research systems.

Person specification

Education/Training/Qualifications

• Registered Nurse with current live registration.
• Relevant postgraduate qualification (e.g., postgraduate diploma in health science, biological sciences, or a research related field) or equivalent experience.
• Considerable experience in a Neuroscience research delivery environment.
• Evidence of leadership and management training or equivalent experience.

Desirable criteria

• Up-to-date ICH-GCP (including UK Statutory Instruments) certification.

Work Experience

Essential criteria

• Broad experience in relevant research delivery environment (Neurosciences)
• Experience managing research caseloads or coordinating multiple projects/caseloads.
• Experience supporting leadership, coaching, or mentoring within a team environment.
• Evidence of advanced organisational and project management skills
• Experience of financial oversight

Desirable criteria

• Experience monitoring and auditing studies to ensure studies comply with all relevant legislation
• Ability to work with internal and external stakeholders

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

Essential criteria

• Advanced communication skills, verbal & written, to include report writing and record keeping.
• High-level communication, interpersonal, and relationship building skills.
• Proficiency in IT systems and digital tools, with ongoing engagement in digital development.
• Strong analytical and evidence-based decision-making skills.
• Understanding of the application of research within clinical and research governance
• Development of other staff

Desirable criteria

• Advanced knowledge of research governance and its practical application.
• Demonstrates an appreciation of how the Trust Organisational Objectives are underpinned by research.
• Ability to have strategic oversight of allocated budgets, effective resource allocation, expenditure management & invoicing

Personal Qualities/Special Circumstances

Essential criteria

• Evidence of continuing professional development
• Demonstrates an ability to work autonomously while coordinating multiple projects
• Ability to be mobile to meet the needs of the post.

Desirable criteria

• Participates in strategic leadership, operational management, and team development across the department.

We hope that you will decide to join us and become part of this exciting journey, helping us to shape our future together.

• As an equal opportunities employer actively working towards a diverse workforce we aim to recruit and retain a workforce which represents the rich diversity of the local population at all levels and are committed to designing our services around the needs of individual patients and those around them. Anonymous information will be used from your application to ensure we're meeting our pledge.
• The Trust is committed to investing in and caring for all our staff. We will support you in maintaining and improving your health and wellbeing, as well as your career development through management and training support - developing exceptional people for exceptional careers.
• BFT is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults.
• To comply with Part 7 of the Immigration Act 2016 all applicants must be able to speak fluent English to an appropriate standard which will be assessed at Interview.
• If you require sponsorship for a visa to work in the UK, to avoid disappointment, please check to ensure you are eligible under the UKVI points based system.
• The Trust uses electronic new starter forms on Trac to collect personal details. Information collected is securely stored and used to set up the employee record on the ESR HR system.
• By applying for this post, you are agreeing to Bristol NHS Foundation Trust transferring the information contained in this application to its preferred applicant management system. If you are offered a job, information will also be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Records system.

Important

Please note that if you apply for a position with this Trust, you may be contacted via Trac or via email. This includes invites for job interviews. We therefore recommend that you regularly check your Trac account and email accounts. We may also contact you by texting the mobile number, if provided, on the application form.

Due to the high number of applications that are received for some posts we may close this vacancy before the advertised closing date. Therefore, if you are interested and you meet the requirements of the Person Specification, only those candidates who clearly demonstrate how they meet the person specification will be shortlisted for this job. As a guide interviews should usually take place within 3 weeks of the closing date. When providing employment reference details, please provide correct work-related email addresses so references can be sought promptly when we are looking to progress your application. Your referee must all be known to you in a line manager or professional lead capacity.