Research Nurse

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust; Bristol; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust is seeking an experienced cardiovascular nurse to join the Cardiac Surgery Research Team. You will contribute to a portfolio of clinical trials, focusing on cardiac surgery patients, within a multidisciplinary environment. Training and development are emphasised to grow expertise in clinical research.

Excellent communication is essential for informed consent and patient engagement, with opportunities to influence trial setup and delivery from start to finish.

Qualifications

• Broad knowledge of clinical nursing in acute hospital settings, with cardiac surgery focus.
• Excellent communication with patients and team members.
• Ability to work within ICH-GCP and research governance frameworks.

Responsibilities

• Assist in setup, delivery and governance of clinical trials.
• Coordinate patient participation and information flow.
• Support trial managers and investigators to resolve issues.
• Provide guidance and training to junior staff.
• Assist in day-to-day management of research delivery.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Clinical nursing

Cardiac surgery knowledge

Communication skills

Education

Registered Nurse (NMC)

Undergraduate degree in Nursing

Job description

Main area Cardiac Surgery Grade Band 6 Contract Fixed term: 12 months (FTC/Secondment until 01/09/2027) Hours

• Full time
• Part time
• Job share

37.5 hours per week (Work to include 7.5 hour shifts, Monday to Friday, some evenings and weekend work. Some flexibility required.) Job ref 387-SPS1418-HN-A

Employer Bristol NHS Foundation Trust Employer type NHS Site Bristol Heart Institute Town Bristol Salary £39,959 - £48,117 per annum, pro rata for part time roles Salary period Yearly Closing 13/09/2026 23:59 Interview date 21/09/2026

Research Nurse

Band 6

North Bristol NHS Trust (NBT) and University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW) have merged as of 1 st July 2026 to become Bristol NHS Foundation Trust. This will create 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.

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.

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

Due to the rapid expansion of our Cardiac Surgery research portfolio, we have an exciting opportunity for an experienced and enthusiastic cardiovascular nurse to join our Cardiac Surgery Research Team. Successful candidates will be involved in a range of clinical trials, involving mostly cardiac surgery patients. Experience in the speciality of cardiac surgery will therefore be essential. You will be working closely with a large multidisciplinary team, including clinical academics, university and commercial trial teams. Ability to engage supportively and effectively with patients and clinical staff will be essential in ensuring that our studies are well delivered and the standards of care of care for our study patients is exemplary.

Training and development will be a key focus in ensuring the successful candidate can develop their expertise in clinical research, within a supportive environment.

Seeing the patients safely through the trials offers lots of patient contact, but additionally the role provides the opportunity to be involved in many elements of the trials from study set up through to closure. This makes for a varied and interesting career choice. Excellent communication skills are essential as a key area of the job is to facilitate the informed consent process.

Main duties of the job

• Assist in the overall set up, organisation and delivery of clinical trials ensuring adherence to ICH-GCP standards within the Research Governance framework and adhering to other related regulations/SOPs.
• Work closely with other research team members, using clear lines of communication with the wider clinical care team and support departments to ensure each patients smooth and safe journey throughout the studies.
• Co-ordinate arrangements for patients participating in clinical trials, according to study protocols, and communicate all necessary information to relevant personnel.
• Work as a team to deliver on larger trials, with more independent working on a portfolio ofsmaller studies.
• Work closely with Trial Managers, Investigators and other members of the wider study team, to trouble shoot issues with trial conduct or blockages to recruitment and work together to resolve these issues.
• Provide guidance and support for junior team members for staff, ensuring that they are fully trained and aware of their roles and responsibilities.
• Assist the manager in the day-to-day management of research delivery, deputises in their absence.
• Assist themanager and senior team in the strategic planning and development of the team.

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

For a more detailed job description including the main responsibilities and person specification, please refer to the job description document attached to this vacancy.

Person specification

Knowledge and Experience

• Broad knowledge and experience of clinical nursing practice within an acute hospital environment within the speciality of cardiac surgery.
• Knowledge of the regulatory and legal frameworks related to undertaking clinical research
• Clinical, organisational and management experience
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office applications and willingness to develop computer skills further
• Knowledge of research design and methodology

Skills and abilities

• Advanced interpersonal and communication skills both verbal and non verbal
• Broad range of clinical nursing skills
• Evidence of good teamwork skills
• Budgetary/resource management skills
• Good report writing, a focus on accuracy and meticulous attention to detail
• Ability to work autonomously
• Interested in and willingness to participate in teaching programmes
• Ability to prioritise, ensuring effective and efficient workload completion
• Ability to work flexibly according to role need
• Enthusiasm for and desire to embed research within clinical practice
• Proactive in professional development for self and others
• Personal focus on the 6 Cs: Care, Compassion, Courage, Commitment, Competence & Communication
• Ability to gain influence and motivate people

Qualifications and training

• Registered Nurse level 1 with current NMC registration
• Evidence of continuing professional development
• Undergraduate degree in Nursing, Science or Health related discipline

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.

Please be aware of scams – unless specified above, we will only communicate with you via @recruit.trac.jobs or nhs.net e-mails and we will never ask you for any payments.

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.

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.

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.

We strongly recommend that you contact Esther Bonnick for an informal visit.