Research Nurse

NHS; City Of London; On-site; GBP 46,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare institution in London is seeking an experienced Research Nurse to join their epilepsy research team. The role involves coordinating clinical trials, managing trial staff, and ensuring compliance with regulatory standards. The ideal candidate should be proactive and adept at working independently. This is a full-time, fixed-term position for 12 months with a competitive salary range of £46,419 to £55,046 annually.

Qualifications

• Registered Nurse with clinical trials experience.
• Knowledge of ICH GCP guidelines.
• Experience in managing or supervising staff.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate trial activity and ensure compliance.
• Manage the Band 5 Clinical Trial Practitioner.
• Conduct trial-related assessments and paperwork.

Skills

Strong communication

Organizational skills

Leadership skills

Ability to work independently

Education

Registered Nurse Part 1,2 12

GCP training (up-to-date)

Completed/working towards degree in relevant fields

Job description

Overview

Go back University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

The closing date is 02 October 2025

We are seeking an experienced and proactive Research Nurse to join our expanding epilepsy research delivery team at the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery (NHNN). This is an excellent opportunity for a registered nurse with clinical trials experience to step into a more autonomous role, supporting the delivery of a growing portfolio of commercial epilepsy trials.

You will be based across both UCLH sites: NHNN Queen Square (London) and NHNN Chalfont Centre for Epilepsy (Buckinghamshire), working closely with senior research nurses, a Clinical Research Operations Manager, Principal and Co-Investigators, and the wider clinical and research teams. You will take responsibility for coordinating trial activity, line managing the Band 5 Clinical Trial Practitioner, and ensuring studies are delivered safely, efficiently, and in line with GCP and regulatory requirements.

You do not need prior experience or knowledge of epilepsy; full training will be provided. The ideal candidate will be confident working independently, comfortable coordinating complex research activity, and enthusiastic about supporting high-quality, patient-centred research. Strong communication, organisational and leadership skills are essential.

The post is a fixed term 12-month contract. There is potential for this FTC to be extended in the future.

A 5-10 minute presentation will be required for the interview. The topic will be shared with applicants at time of shortlisting.

Main duties of the job

As Band 6 Research Nurse, you will take a leading role in the set-up and day-to-day delivery of commercial and non-commercial clinical trials within the epilepsy team. Your responsibilities will include identifying and screening participants, supporting the informed consent process, coordinating study visits, conducting trial-related assessments, and managing the accurate and timely completion of data and documentation in line with GCP.

You will maintain oversight of the Investigator Site File (ISF), lab files, and participant records, and ensure studies are audit-ready at all times. You will liaise with external sponsors, CROs, and support departments, contribute to quality assurance, and assist with audit preparation and monitoring visits.

In addition to delivering trial activity, you will line manage the Band 5 Clinical Trial Practitioner, providing day-to-day guidance, allocating tasks, supporting their development, and contributing to appraisal and performance discussions. You will also provide informal supervision and leadership within the team, helping to ensure a positive, well-organised, and responsive research service. You will work closely with the Senior Research Nurse, who holds overall clinical responsibility for a subset of commercial studies, ensuring aligned trial delivery and consistent standards across the team.

About us

University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (UCLH) is one of the most complex NHS trusts in the UK, serving a large and diverse population. We provide academically led acute and specialist services, to people from the local area, from throughout the United Kingdom and overseas. Our vision is to deliver top-quality patient care, excellent education, and world-class research.

We provide first-class acute and specialist services across eight sites:

• University College Hospital (incorporating the Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Wing)
• National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery
• Royal National ENT and Eastman Dental Hospitals
• University College Hospital Grafton Way Building
• Royal London Hospital for Integrated Medicine
• University College Hospital Macmillan Cancer Centre
• The Hospital for Tropical Diseases
• University College Hospital at Westmoreland Street

We are dedicated to the diagnosis and treatment of many complex illnesses. UCLH specialises in women's health and the treatment of cancer, infection, neurological, gastrointestinal and oral disease. It has world class support services including critical care, imaging, nuclear medicine and pathology.

We are committed to sustainability and have pledged to become a carbon net zero health service, embedding sustainable practice throughout UCLH. We have set an ambitious target of net zero for our direct emissions by 2031 and indirect emissions by 2040.

Job responsibilities

For the full Person Specification and more information regarding the main responsibilities of this role, please refer to the attached Job Description.

This role requires the same attention to quality in documentation as it does in patient care. You will be expected to maintain accurate, contemporaneous source data, apply ALCOA principles consistently, and respond to data queries in a timely and thorough manner. Ensuring high-quality, auditable records is a core part of delivering safe, compliant, and successful research.

You will be required to work flexibly across both Queen Square and Chalfont, with some evening or weekend work depending on study needs.

Come and be a part of the best NHS trust in England to work for, according to our staff*

UCLH top trust to work at in England for the second year running! : University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust*In the most recent NHS staff survey UCLH had the highest percentage of staff who said they would recommend us as a place to work, out of all general acute or acute/community NHS trusts in England for the second year in a row.

UCLH top trust to work at in England for the second year running! University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.Once again, UCLH has received the highest score of all general acute and acute/community NHS trusts in England for staff that would recommend us as a place to work.

To discover more about what makes UCLH a great place to work, visit: Why Choose UCLH?

Person Specification

Knowledge and Qualification

• Registered Nurse Part 1,2 12
• GCP training (up-to-date)
• Teaching or mentor course
• Completed/working towards degree in the speciality or related fields

Experience

• Clinical research/trials experience
• Experience of formal/ informal teaching of patients and staff
• Experience working as a preceptor/facilitator
• Experience of phlebotomy, cannulation and management of central lines
• Experience in the caring of complex and acutely ill patients
• Experience with the specialty (epilepsy)
• Previous experience in audit and evaluation
• Knowledge of Trust research governance issues
• Experience in delivering training

Skills and Abilities

• Demonstrates ability to prioritise workload and meet SMART objectives
• Demonstrates ability to work under own initiative
• Demonstrates evidence of professional development
• Demonstrates understanding of the importance of audit/quality
• Proven knowledge of ICH GCP guidelines
• Proven ability to work effectively under pressure

Communication

• Proven ability to communicate effectively in writing and verbally.

Personal and People Development

• Experience in managing or supervising staff

Specific Requirements

• Willingness to work flexible hours (evening, weekend, or out-of-hours work may be required to meet participant or study needs) on occasion
• Willingness to work at both sites (NHNN, Queen Square and Chalfont), if required

Responsibilities towards promoting Equality Diversity and Inclusion

• Demonstrates understanding of Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion and has Knowledge of the NHS obligations under the Equality Act 2010 and the Public Sector Equality Duties

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.

University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Address

National Hospital for Neurology & Neurosurgery, and Chalfont Centre for Epilepsy

£46,419 to £55,046 a yearPer Annum Inclusive of HCAS

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

12 months

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

309-UCLH-6836

Job locations

National Hospital for Neurology & Neurosurgery, and Chalfont Centre for Epilepsy