Local Authority Research Practitioner (LARP)

Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 38,000; Part time

Job summary

Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a Local Authority Research Practitioner to develop and deliver research activity across CPFT and local authorities. The role is fixed-term for 21 months, part-time 30 hours weekly, based primarily at Windsor Research Unit (Fulbourn, Cambridge) with occasional support at Cavell Centre, Peterborough.

You will bridge health and local authority systems, engage staff in research, promote equitable access to opportunities, and help embed

Qualifications

• Experience in health-related research or clinical governance.
• Ability to engage stakeholders across health and social care.

Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver research activity across CPFT and local authorities.
• Support staff to engage in research and obtain informed consent.
• Ensure governance, safety and patient experience standards are met.
• Collaborate with universities, NHS partners and voluntary sector.
• Identify opportunities and manage study progress and data reporting.
• Maintain study records and contribute to risk management.

Skills

Stakeholder engagement

Research coordination

Informed consent

Job description

21 Month Fixed-Term Contract - Part time 30 hours per week

This post is part of a growing team of research nurses and practitioners working in the research and development (R&D) team at CPFT.

The primary base will be the Windsor Research Unit (Fulbourn hospital, Cambridge) with an expectation to provide support at the Cavell Centre, Peterborough on a business needs basis.

The Local Authority Research Practitioner (LARP) will play a pivotal role in developing, coordinating, and delivering research activity across CPFT and the local authorities the Trust works closely with.

The post will also strengthen collaboration with universities, partner NHS organisations, and the voluntary sector to drive high quality, impactful research.

This role is specifically designed to build research capacity and engagement within social care, public health, and community-based services, ensuring that research is embedded across the wider care system and aligned with shared strategic priorities.

The post holder will act as a bridge between health and local authority systems, supporting staff to engage in research and ensuring that residents - particularly those in social care or underserved communities - have equitable access to research opportunities.

The role is critical to embedding a sustainable research culture that supports evidence-based practice, service improvement, and innovation across both: NHS and local authorities organisations.

Main duties of the job

• Champion a positive research culture and advocate for the integration of research into routine practice.
• To provide ongoing support, advice and information to patients/volunteers regarding their participation in clinical research in order to obtain effective informed consent.
• To ensure day to day practice reflects the highest standards of governance, clinical effectiveness, safety and patient experience.
• To work collaboratively with other colleagues to ensure all studies are delivered on time and target and are delivered in accordance with the requirements of the study protocol.
• Undertake horizon scanning to identify research opportunities and studies relevant to collaborative working between CPFT and Local Authority partners.
• Accurate and timely completion of all study-related activities, electronically and/or in paper format. Provide regular updates on study progress to R&D and the wider CPFT community, including presentations at relevant CPFT forums and the timely provision of performance and recruitment data to R&D leads.
• To contribute to identification, management, and reduction of risk and ensure appropriate clinical response as required by the protocol.
• Maintain records and documentation of the studies, supporting good clinical governance, using standard databases and/or spreadsheets to regularly update Investigators, sponsors and R&D Governance.

Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust is a health and social care organisation dedicated to providing high quality care with compassion to improve the health and wellbeing of the people we care for, as well as supporting and empowering them to lead fulfilling lives.

Our clinical teams deliver a wide range of NHS services across inpatient, primary care and community settings, including children's, adult and older people's mental health, forensic and specialist mental health, learning disabilities, primary care and liaison psychiatry, substance misuse, social care, and research and development.