Research Assistant / Clinical Studies Officer

NHS; Ilford; On-site; GBP 29,000 - 37,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a vibrant R&D team as a research assistant with NHS, focusing on mental health, dementia, and community care services. This full-time role involves working closely with diverse participants to enable impactful research, enhancing your communication and research skills through comprehensive support and training.

Qualifications

• Experience of working with a range of service users with mental and physical health conditions.
• Minimum of 1 year of experience in a research environment.
• Knowledge of the governance and legislative framework for conducting clinical trials.

Responsibilities

• Establish and maintain relationships to facilitate research activities.
• Identify and enrol patients, their carers, and staff into research projects.
• Data collection and analysis for research purposes.

Skills

Communication

Problem Solving

Interpersonal Skills

Education

BSc degree in relevant subject/discipline

Job description

Job summary

We are looking to appoint a new research assistant to join our progressive and vibrant R&D team. The role is patient / staff facing and requires the post holder to have an aptitude and enthusiasm to work with a range of people from different cultures, ages, diagnosed conditions and environments. Our research portfolio covers mental health, dementia, and community care services.

The post holder will work with services to establish, develop and maintain relationships to facilitate research activities. Through these relationships they will identify and enrol patients, their carers and staff into research projects, undertaking duties such as advertising, screening, consent, and data collection with participants as required.

Main duties of the job

NELFT is an innovative and dynamic organisation with an accomplished record of delivering research studies throughout the Trust thanks to our skilled staff and clinicians. In the last year the team collaborated with community and mental health services to deliver over 50NIHR Portfolio Studies and the team enrolled more than 1400 people into research.

The post-holder will have experience of working with people with mental health problems, physical health problems and/or other disabilities and possess an understanding of research methods used in the NHS. They will be a creative problem solver, who is as comfortable working independently as they are as part of a team. They will have excellent communication skills and the ability to establish and maintain relationships with a wide range of stakeholders. The post-holder will have the opportunity to develop their research skills through formal and experiential learning, supervision, mentoring and peer support.

About us

Starting with NELFT

NELFT place a great deal of importance on new starters being properly welcomed and inducted into the Trust. All new starters will join the Trust on the first Monday of each month and will undertake a comprehensive induction of up to two weeks which will include mandatory training, systems training and the allocation of equipment. As part of the process new starters will have the opportunity to also meet the executive team, senior managers and attend a number of drop in sessions focussing in engagement, health and wellbeing and key processes. The induction will be held at our head office in Rainham, Essex.

Probationary Period

This post will be subject to a probationary period. Internal applicants are exempt from the probationary period (unless you are an internal applicant currently part way through a probationary period or currently a bank member of staff).

High Cost Area Supplement

This post also attracts payment for High Cost Area Supplement of 15% of the basic salary (with a minimum of £4,551 to a maximum of £5,735).

Details Date posted

12 June 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 5

Salary

£29,970 to £36,483 a year Per annum pro rata plus HCAS

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

12 months

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

395-CC197-25

Job locations

Goodmayes Hospital

Ilford

IG3 8XJ

Job description Job responsibilities

Please see the attached job description and person specification for more information about this role and working at North East London NHS Foundation Trust. We encourage you to refer closely to this when completing your application.

We welcome your application even if you do not meet all the criteria listed in the person specification. Any development needs to help you succeed in the role, can be discussed at the interview stage.

References

Please ensure that the references are from your most recent employer and one of these must be your direct Line Manager or Supervisor. You must provide professional email addresses for all referees as we will contact them as soon as an offer has been made. Please note we do not request references prior to interviews. Additionally, ensure that any gaps in your employment history are clearly indicated. All applications made through NHS Jobs account will be processed by TRAC System. Please note that some emails may go to your spam/junk mailbox so make sure you check this regularly.

Use of AI

Applications for this role should be written by the applicant. If artificial intelligence (AI) programmes are used, then the application may be rejected due to this document being an important part of the assessment process. This does not prevent applicants seeking appropriate support with applications should they need to for the purposes of any declared disability.

If you like the sound of working with NELFT, dont waste a moment and apply now!

Job description Job responsibilities

Please see the attached job description and person specification for more information about this role and working at North East London NHS Foundation Trust. We encourage you to refer closely to this when completing your application.

We welcome your application even if you do not meet all the criteria listed in the person specification. Any development needs to help you succeed in the role, can be discussed at the interview stage.

References

Please ensure that the references are from your most recent employer and one of these must be your direct Line Manager or Supervisor. You must provide professional email addresses for all referees as we will contact them as soon as an offer has been made. Please note we do not request references prior to interviews. Additionally, ensure that any gaps in your employment history are clearly indicated. All applications made through NHS Jobs account will be processed by TRAC System. Please note that some emails may go to your spam/junk mailbox so make sure you check this regularly.

Use of AI

Applications for this role should be written by the applicant. If artificial intelligence (AI) programmes are used, then the application may be rejected due to this document being an important part of the assessment process. This does not prevent applicants seeking appropriate support with applications should they need to for the purposes of any declared disability.

If you like the sound of working with NELFT, dont waste a moment and apply now!

Person Specification Qualifications Essential

• BSc degree in relevant subject/discipline
• Excellent IT skills, experience using Microsoft Word, Microsoft Power point, and Excel, SPSS.

Desirable

• MSc degree in relevant subject/discipline
• GCP training in last 2 years

Experience Essential

• Experience of working with a range of service users who have mental and / or physical health conditions
• A minimum of 1 year of experience of working in a research environment displaying relevant and appropriate competencies and skills for the job.
• Analysing and presenting complex data to a high standard in the form of written reports

Desirable

• Experience of working with multi-disciplinary research teams.
• Experience of delivering CTIMPs

Knowledge/Skill Essential

• Knowledge of the governance and legislative framework for conducting clinical trials, including Research Governance Framework and Good Clinical Practice.
• High level communication skills (written and verbal).
• Good understanding of research trial methodology
• Use of standardised assessments
• Ability to work under pressure and to be able to prioritise, quickly assess and solve problems.
• Excellent interpersonal skills including the ability to build relationships
• Awareness of accountability of own and others roles within the study delivery team
• Ability to use own initiative when working independently and also to be able to work effectively as a member of a team.

Desirable

• Quantitative and qualitative research skills

Other Essential

• To be aware and demonstrate the Trust Values

Person Specification Qualifications Essential

• BSc degree in relevant subject/discipline
• Excellent IT skills, experience using Microsoft Word, Microsoft Power point, and Excel, SPSS.

Desirable

• MSc degree in relevant subject/discipline
• GCP training in last 2 years

Experience Essential

• Experience of working with a range of service users who have mental and / or physical health conditions
• A minimum of 1 year of experience of working in a research environment displaying relevant and appropriate competencies and skills for the job.
• Analysing and presenting complex data to a high standard in the form of written reports

Desirable

• Experience of working with multi-disciplinary research teams.
• Experience of delivering CTIMPs

Knowledge/Skill Essential

• Knowledge of the governance and legislative framework for conducting clinical trials, including Research Governance Framework and Good Clinical Practice.
• High level communication skills (written and verbal).
• Good understanding of research trial methodology
• Use of standardised assessments
• Ability to work under pressure and to be able to prioritise, quickly assess and solve problems.
• Excellent interpersonal skills including the ability to build relationships
• Awareness of accountability of own and others roles within the study delivery team
• Ability to use own initiative when working independently and also to be able to work effectively as a member of a team.

Desirable

• Quantitative and qualitative research skills

Other Essential

• To be aware and demonstrate the Trust Values

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Additional information 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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Employer details Employer name

NELFT North East London Foundation Trust

Address

Goodmayes Hospital

Ilford

IG3 8XJ

Employer's website

https://www.nelft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details Employer name

NELFT North East London Foundation Trust

Address

Goodmayes Hospital

Ilford

IG3 8XJ

Employer's website

https://www.nelft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)