Oncology Drug Development Specialist Research Nurse

Transformation Unit; Cambridge; Remote; GBP 49,000 - 57,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working

On-site facilities

Bus travel discount for staff

Staff parking subsidy

Job summary

Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is seeking an experienced Oncology Drug Development Specialist Research Nurse to lead a team delivering phase 1 trials within the Cambridge Cancer Trials Centre. You will provide expert guidance, oversee trial delivery, and ensure GCP-compliant study execution.

Qualified applicants will have significant phase 1 oncology trial experience, nursing/practitioner registration, and a track record of education and leadership in a research setting.

Qualifications

• Registered Nurse or Clinical Research Practitioner with degree-level education.
• Proven ability to lead a team and deliver high-quality clinical research.
• Experience with Good Clinical Practice and regulatory knowledge.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team of research nurses/ practitioners in phase 1 oncology trials.
• Provide specialist advice and training on trial delivery.
• Ensure trials are conducted according to ICH GCP guidelines and portfolio standards.
• Coordinate with multidisciplinary team to optimise research delivery.

Skills

Nursing experience

Phase 1 trials

Team leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in Nursing or related field

Tools

MS Excel

MS Access

Windows OS

Job description

Main area Cancer Drug Development Grade Band 7 Contract 1 year (Fixed term) Hours

• Full time
• Part time
• Flexible working

37.5 hours per week (Full Time or Part Time / Flexible working hours may be considered.) Job ref 180-R&D-CVA1066

Employer Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Employer type NHS Site Cambridge Cancer Trials Centre Town Cambridge Salary £49,387 - £56,515 per annum Salary period Yearly Closing 05/10/2026 23:59

Oncology Drug Development Specialist Research Nurse

Band 7

Job overview

We are looking for a self-motivated research nurse to lead a team of research nurses/ practitioners working on phase 1 clinical trials in the Cambridge Cancer Drug Development Team (CCDD). You will provide specialist advice and support and act as a resource for the wider Cambridge Cancer Trials Centre.

Significant phase 1 oncology clinical trials experience is essential.

The CCDD is a multi-disciplinary group of doctors, nurses/CRP’s, data mangers and a trial coordinator led by Dr Simon Pacey. The CCDD Team's research goals are to optimise the "science-led" clinical application of novel therapies, including "first into man", phase 1 and associated pharmacology studies.

The CCDD is part of the Cambridge Cancer Trials Centre (CCTC) and benefits from a major commitment from Cancer Research UK, recognising Cambridge's position at the forefront of cancer research.

Main duties of the job

You will be responsible for the management and delivery of clinical research for the CCTC within the CCDD team ensuring that it is conducted according to ICH Good Clinical Practice guidelines. They will be responsible for providing specialist advice and support for phase 1 oncology clinical trials. This includes the provision of specialist research related education and training.

You will be responsible for implementing a clearly defined integrated approach to research delivery within the clinical setting. In conjunction with the multi-disciplinary team they will facilitate good quality research, lead and develop the research nurse team and monitor standards of care. This will involve liaising closely with the Speciality Research Lead and Team Lead to ensure equity of portfolio.

Working for our organisation

Come Nurse with us…

Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is one of the largest teaching Trusts in the country. It comprises Addenbrooke’s Hospital and the Rosie Hospital. We provide accessible high-quality healthcare for the local people of Cambridge and regional and national specialist services. It’s a great place to nurse, work and live.

You will work on a vibrant hospital campus with a friendly community feel; we have excellent facilities to practise your skills and abilities to support your career pathway and development. Our values of Together – Safe, Kind, Excellent support the delivery of outstanding care. We have a fully electronic patient record system that is improving health-care quality; this is transforming services, improving patient safety and clinical outcomes.

Why choose Cambridge University Hospitals?

• Our values and reputation for outstanding care
• Opportunities to experience a range of specialities
• Career and development opportunities
• Preceptorship and mentoring programmes delivered by a dedicated clinical education support team
• Research experience and opportunities
• Lovely location and quality of life
• Excellent schools/colleges and transport links (road, rail and air)

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Please see the attached Applicant Information Pack (combined Job Description and Person Specification) for key duties and responsibilities.

This vacancy will close at midnight on 5th October 2026.

Interviews are due to be held on 14th October 2026.

All appointments with a start date on or after 1 October 2026 will be subject to a 12-week probationary period. This provides a structured and supportive period to help you settle into your role, with regular reviews and feedback.

As there is a 12-week probationary period, successful candidates are expected to have the Right to Work for a period of at least 6 months from the proposed start date. Immigration and Right to Work status will be discussed with successful candidates at conditional offer. CUH will not offer sponsorship to candidates that have applied for a fee waiver.

Due to Home Office immigration rules, a full-time permanent vacancy cannot be filled by individuals on a student visa. Therefore, please be advised that if you are a student visa holder, we will not be able to offer you a full-time permanent contract unless you have:
- applied for a Graduate visa
- or you will have successfully completed your course and have applied for a Graduate visa before the anticipated start date of your employment

Benefits to you

At Cambridge University Hospitals, we want to do all we can to support good working days. We offer development opportunities and a wide range of benefits, including on-site leisure facilities, shopping concourse and day nurseries. Our good work programme currently includes providing reduced cost Stagecoach bus travel to and from Cambridge University Hospital site. Park and Ride bus journeys between Babraham Road and Trumpington sites are free, as is the route to and from Cambridge train station and our hospitals. We also subsidise the cost of parking on site for eligible staff.

On CUH campus, hot food is available 24/7 and at a reduced cost for colleagues. Recently we launched the first of our staff pod break spaces. Located in the Deakin Centre, we have a purpose-created colleague-only café, with free tea and coffee, a break space and private outside area for colleagues to rest, refuel and recharge. Just one of the ways we are working hard to support good working days at CUH.

CUH is committed to assisting employees in achieving a good work-life balance irrespective of role or personal circumstances. Flexible arrangements may include, but are not limited to, part-time working, job-share, term-time working and flexible start and finish times.
Please note if you would like to discuss the required hours of this role further, you should approach the contact given. In some cases, alternative working hours will be considered.

We welcome applications from the Armed Forces.

Person specification

Qualifications

• Registered Nurse / Clinical Research practitioner educated to Degree level or willingness to undertake
• Evidence of continuous professional development.
• Teaching qualification.
• Research Module.

Experience

• Significant relevant experience in the specialty and ability to demonstrate expert nursing/ practitioner skills.
• Previous experience as a nursing/ research practitioner within a research environment
• Accept personal accountability for own practice.
• Experience of formal/informal teaching.
• NHS experience

Knowledge

• Understanding of evidence-based practice.
• Understanding of Clinical Governance.
• Knowledge of clinical research infrastructure in the UK and relevant Research Governance legislation & regulations
• Understanding of the requirements of Good Clinical Practice & possession of GCP Certificate
• Knowledge of the role of the clinical research nurse / Clinical Research Practitioner and principles of informed consent for participation in research
• Knowledge of health research methodology

Skills

• Good verbal and written communication skills.
• Capable of working as an integral member of a small team.
• Adaptable to changing situations due workload and colleagues’ needs.
• Ability to undertake teaching of staff and patients.
• Ability to work unsupervised and manage own workload; effective time-management.
• Effective interpersonal skills.
• Commitment to multidisciplinary working.
• Demonstrate analytical and judgmental skills.
• Ability to quickly appraise situation and act accordingly
• Competent in the use of standard PC packages (Windows, MS Excel, Access etc)
• Advanced Communication Skills.
• Ability to initiate own research

Additional Requirements

• To act in a professional manner at all times in accordance with NMC Code of Conduct.
• Capable of developing liaisons with other practice areas/academic institutions.
• The ability to understand and behave at all times, towards patients, visitors and colleagues according to the Trust values of safe, kind, excellent.
• Knowledge of broader issues related to specialty – political and Trust.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Name Debra Blackstone Job title Senior Clinical Research Nurse/Team Lead Email address [e-mail] Telephone number 01223 348082