Research Nurse

NHS University Hospitals of Liverpool Group; Liverpool; On-site; GBP 47,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent healthcare organization in Merseyside is seeking a Senior Research Nurse to lead early-phase clinical trials. This full-time role involves coordinating research activities, ensuring compliance with regulations, and supervising junior staff. The ideal candidate must be a registered nurse with significant clinical research experience, including participation in Phase 1 studies. Join a dynamic team committed to pioneering healthcare research and patient care.

Qualifications

• Registered Nurse with substantial experience in clinical research.
• Experience in trial coordination and team supervision.
• Excellent clinical and communication skills required.

Responsibilities

• Lead on the delivery of early-phase trials and provide clinical oversight.
• Coordinate study activities and manage patient visits.
• Ensure compliance with ICH-GCP and maintain high standards of patient care.

Skills

Clinical research experience

Leadership skills

Communication skills

Organizational skills

Venepuncture

IV cannulation

Education

Registered Nurse, current NMC registration

1st level degree or equivalent

Job description

Senior Research Nurse

Band 7

Main area

Clinical research

Grade

Band 7

Contract

Permanent

Hours

Full time - 37.5 hours per week

Job ref

287-CEF-207-25

Department name

LUH - 1 General Staffing (AFC posts)

Site

NIHR Liverpool Clinical Research Facility

Town

Liverpool

Salary

£47,810 - £54,710 per annum

Salary period

Yearly

Closing

11/08/2025 23:59

Job Overview

The Senior Research Nurse will play a key leadership role within the Phase 1 accredited Clinical Research Facility (CRF) , which delivers early-phase clinical trials involving both patients and healthy volunteers. This role supports the safe and effective conduct of complex clinical studies, ensuring compliance with ICH-GCP, the Research Governance Framework, and all relevant regulatory standards.

The postholder will lead on the delivery of early-phase trials, provide clinical oversight, and support the training and development of junior staff. They will be responsible for coordinating study activities, managing patient visits, ensuring data quality, and maintaining high standards of patient care. Clinical duties include venepuncture, cannulation, ECG monitoring, and the handling of biological samples.

The successful candidate will be a registered nurse (NMC) with substantial experience in clinical research, including trial coordination and team supervision. Experience with Phase 1 studies is highly desirable. The role requires excellent clinical, communication, and organisational skills, along with the ability to work independently and collaboratively within a multidisciplinary research team.

This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to pioneering research that informs future healthcare delivery within a high-performing, research-intensive NHS environment.

Main duties of the job

The postholder will lead and coordinate the safe delivery of early-phase clinical trials within the Phase 1 accredited Clinical Research Facility (CRF), working both independently and as part of a multidisciplinary research team. They will ensure all clinical research activity is conducted in accordance with ICH-GCP, study protocols, and Trust policies.

Key responsibilities include screening and recruiting participants, obtaining informed consent, performing clinical procedures (e.g. venepuncture, cannulation, ECGs), monitoring participant safety, and ensuring accurate documentation and reporting of adverse events. The postholder will support and supervise junior staff, contribute to their education and development, and maintain high standards of patient care throughout.

They will liaise with sponsors and external stakeholders to meet study targets and ensure timely delivery of research. The role also includes supporting service improvement, audit activity, and assisting in protocol development, ethics applications, and research publications, contributing to the CRF's operational performance and research income generation.

Working for our organisation

Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust comprises Aintree University Hospital, Broadgreen Hospital & Royal Liverpool University Hospital.

We are part of NHS University Hospitals of Liverpool Group, formed on 1 Nov 2024 from the coming together of LUHFT and Liverpool Women's NHS Foundation Trust. The Group was born from a shared aim to improve the care we provide our patients.

UHLG is one of the largest employers in the region, with over 16,800 colleagues dedicated to caring for our communities - from birth and beyond.

For the 630,000 people across Merseyside, we are their local NHS. We provide general and emergency hospital care, alongside highly specialised regional services for more than two million people in the North West.

Aintree University Hospital is the single receiving site for adult major trauma patients in Cheshire and Merseyside and hosts a number of regional services including an award-winning stroke facility. Broadgreen Hospital is home to elective surgical, diagnostic and treatment services, together with specialist patient rehabilitation. Liverpool Women's Hospital specialises in the health of women and babies, delivering over 7,200 babies in the UK's largest single site maternity hospital each year. The Royal Liverpool University Hospital is the largest hospital in the country to provide inpatients with 100% single bedrooms and focuses on complex planned care and specialist services.

For roles at Liverpool Women's, visit their careers page.

Job Summary

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The Clinical Research Facility (CRF) is a Phase 1 accredited unit, the first NHS Trust in England and Wales to achieve this standard. The unit undertakes and delivers early phase clinical trials (drug development studies) in patients and healthy volunteers. It is of critical importance that the unit is able to operationalise these studies while ensuring subject safety is prioritised at all times.

The postholder will be an experienced research nurse with clinical trial experience, who will lead on early phase clinical trials as well as providing support to all members of the research team and junior staff in their professional development. They will participate in the education and development of staff/students (e.g. clinical supervision) and ensure all personnel are adequately informed about, and comply with, all details of the trials. The postholder will be expected to contribute to all aspects of the planning, conduct, and reporting of all clinical trials within the research speciality. They will work closely with the operational team in delivering high-quality research.

Clinical Responsibilities

Co-ordination of the CRF on a day-to-day basis including planning, allocation and evaluation of work carried out by teams or individuals and self.

Provide specialist research knowledge to all Nursing staff, Research Assistants and Laboratory Technicians on the CRF.

To ensure that all clinical research activity is ICH GCP compliant and conducted in accordance with the agreed protocols.

To work on a daily basis without direct supervision as part of the research team.

To maintain a high standard of patient care in line with Trust and R&D policies and protocols and in accordance with the Research Governance Framework.

To contribute to all aspects of the planning, conduct and reporting of all clinical trials and in-house studies in the relevant field.

Provide comprehensive knowledge of clinical research including issues on ethics, law, drug development and management in clinical research.

To carry out clinical procedures and treatment interventions according to pre-determined protocols, including clinical examination of patients, venepuncture, venous cannulation, vital signs and ECG recording/interpretation.

To carry out the collection, processing and shipping of biological specimens according to protocol requirements and follow-up appropriately on alert values.

Exercise strong and effective leadership acting as an exemplary role model for the CRF team. Support senior team in maintaining adequate clinical and laboratory staff cover and skill mix on the CRF through effective use of staffing rotas and on-call rotas.

Support the implementation of the Trust's Strategy for Nursing.

Monitor performance of staff ensuring that learning needs are identified through personal development plans, appraisal systems, supervised practice and Performance Reviews.

Explore and undertake expanded practice to optimise patient care as required within specialist area, in accordance with Trust policies.

Accountable for ensuring that equipment within the CRF is maintained according to GCP standards and that the CRF is well equipped with sufficient supplies for its day-to-day operation.

Lead Nurse Responsibilities

To ensure that the patient's health and safety are paramount in all procedures that take place for trial purposes.

To assist the clinicians in the informed consent process, ensuring the patient/volunteer is fully informed prior to participation in the study and to provide ongoing advice and information.

To co-ordinate and carry out patient visits in accordance with study protocols, including co-ordinating special tests in other departments, collection of data, coding, data entry, and patient support.

To identify, screen, interview patients and recruit them into the appropriate studies.

To ensure clinical and research documentation and record keeping is completed accurately and efficiently in accordance with NMC and EU Directive (ICH GCP) Guidelines.

To co-ordinate all designated clinical research studies as directed by the lead Clinician to ensure recruitment targets are met.

To be responsible for the day-to-day management of, and patient recruitment to, all studies within the speciality.

To prioritise research activity as necessary thus ensuring recruitment targets are met.

To ensure that all data is collected and managed effectively and accurately.

Liaison with sponsor companies and multi-disciplinary research teams.

To be involved in the education of patients with regard to various aspects of disease within the speciality.

To report and record any adverse events as dictated by Trust and Departmental Protocols.

To keep up-to-date with relevant medical literature, developments in clinical research methodology, monitoring and local regulatory and ethical requirements.

To attend courses, conferences and study days in order to remain up-to-date with all relevant aspects of clinical research.

To attend weekly study meetings.

To understand the relevance of research to healthcare delivery and be able to identify research problems within the speciality.

To initiate, organise and manage novel clinical research and audit projects within the speciality (retrospective and prospective) under the supervision of the lead consultant, including, where appropriate, negotiation of research funding, development of protocols, ethical committee application, data presentation at meetings, recruitment, questionnaire completion, clinical measurement, statistical analysis and preparation of papers for publication.

To assist in the analysis of data and preparation of reports for presentation and publication.

Management / Leadership Responsibilities

Good project management skills, protocol development, data analysis and writing for publication skills.

Ability to give advice on the organisation and management of the research in progress.

Educational and developmental role.

To co-operate with and support other Specialist Nurses within the speciality.

To develop the skills of other staff by identifying needs through observation and ensuring participation, practice and relevant education.

Educational Responsibilities

Ensure staff compliance with mandatory training and maintain current records.

Provide support to clinical and non-clinical staff using competency-based training packages for use within the CRF including within the laboratory and other support areas; inclusive of preceptorship, pre- and post-registration nurses.

To facilitate training (including medical emergency training) within the CRF Matron.

In conjunction with the appropriate line manager, maintain competency-based training packages for all roles within the CRF.

In conjunction with other managers within the CRF, ensure staff compliance with mandatory training prescribed by the Trust.

Contribute to maintaining and improving own professional knowledge and competence.

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria

• Registered Nurse, current NMC registration
• Attendance of recent short courses and/or study days on research
  
  

Desirable criteria

• 1st level degree or equivalent
• Post Graduate Qualification in Nursing or Research
  
  

Experience

Essential criteria

• Previous experience as a research nurse
• Experience of co-ordinating clinical research studies
• Clinical experience / qualification in venepuncture, IV cannulation
• Experience of liaison with staff at all levels in the Health Service, Universities and Industry
• Experience with Phase 1 Trials
  
  

Desirable criteria

• Experience of leading the development of research projects (protocols and study documentation) and negotiating research funding
• Experience of patient education and counselling, e.g. providing lifestyle advice
• Supervision of staff/teams & Appraisal & interviewing skills
  
  

Knowledge

Essential criteria

• Knowledge of the principles and practice of clinical research and/or clinical trials
• Understanding of the role & responsibilities of a Clinical Research Nurse
• Knowledge of ethical and quality standards applicable to clinical trials, including EU Directive on ICH GCP requirements
• Understanding of the relevance of research to health care delivery and the ability to demonstrate knowledge of the specific research subject
  
  

Desirable criteria

• Knowledge of the Health Service, R&D, the pharmaceutical industry partnership and relevant information sciences
  
  

Skills

Essential criteria

• Ability to use a personal computer, (computer literacy and proficiency in MS Office)
• Skills in administration of research and project management
• Excellent and effective verbal and written communication skills
• Meticulous attention to detail and a high standard of accuracy, e.g. in the capture and validation of clinical trial data
• Ability to meet tight deadlines and cope in a highly demanding environment
• Ability to work independently and prioritise / own workload and to communicate effectively with all members of the multi-disciplinary team
• Skills required to evaluate and assist in developing new protocols
  
  

Please ensure you check the email account (including junk/spam boxes) from which you apply regularly as we will use this to contact you regarding your application.

Posts advertised to 'internal staff' are open to employees of hospitals within University Hospitals of Liverpool Group and you should confirm your employment within your application form.

Note: Under current Home Office Immigration Rules we are currently unable to offer right to work visa sponsorship for Band 2 and 3 roles with a salary of less than £25,000 pa as they do not meet the UK Visas & Immigration criteria.

Only those applicants who demonstrate clearly how they meet our person specification will be shortlisted for interview.

We reserve the right to close any vacancies from further applications when we have received a minimum number of applications from which to make a shortlist. Please ensure you apply without delay if you wish to be considered for this role.

Candidates applying for the role of Healthcare Assistant on the staff bank should note that due to the nature of the role, workers must be aged 18 or above when commencing in post. Applicants are therefore welcome from those aged over 18 or within 3 months' of their 18^th birthday.

The Trust is committed to promoting a healthy work-life balance and achieve fair, equitable and consistent practice. We welcome flexible working requests and will consider a variety of flexible working arrangements from day one of your employment. Not all roles are suitable for every flexible working opportunity all of the time. Flexible working options may include reduced hours, compressed hours, fixed shifts, time back in lieu and home working.

The Trust is committed to promoting equality and diversity; we value the contribution of individual talent, skills, knowledge and experience and aim for a workforce demography representative of the local community. We encourage applicants from the following groups that are currently under-represented in our workforce black, Asian and minority ethnic, lesbian, gay, bisexual and Transgender (LGBTQ+), disabled, male and age 16-24.

Trust policy requires that the cost of submitting & processing the successful applicant/s DBS application be recovered via salary deduction following start in post. The amount of £23 (standard disclosure) or £43 (enhanced disclosure) will be deducted from salary, in manageable monthly instalments for up to 3 months following commencement of employment. Bank posts require upfront payment. DBS applications submitted from 2nd December will be subject to the new DBS fee of £26.50 (standard) and £54.50 (Enhanced).

From April 2017, Skilled visa applicants and their adult dependant(s) will be required to provide a criminal record certificate from each country they have lived in consecutively for 12 months or more in the past ten years.

Applicants requiring sponsorship may wish to determine the likelihood of obtaining sponsorship for this position by assessing themselves against the criteria on the gov.uk website - https://www.gov.uk/check-uk-visa.

This organisation has a zero-tolerance approach to the abuse of children, young people and vulnerable adults. All staff must ensure they adhere to the organisations safeguarding children and adults' policy and comply with the Local Safeguarding Children and Adult Board procedures.

Staff should be mindful of their responsibility to safeguard children and adults in any activity performed on behalf of the organisation in line with the requirements of statutory guidance and legislation.

All employees (and volunteers)are expected maintain their safeguarding knowledge and skills by completing mandatory safeguarding training which includes understanding and recognising the signs of abuse and neglect and taking appropriate action.

As an organisation, we have adopted the Merseyside Domestic abuse workplace scheme which supports our staff who are experiencing Domestic Abuse /any forms of sexual violence.

If you have any personal requirements that will enable you to participate in our recruitment process please contact a member of the Recruitment Services by phone on 0151 706 4666 at the earliest opportunity to ensure that measures can be put in place to enable your application for this post.

Please note: new entrants to the NHS will commence on the first pay point of the relevant band.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Applicant requirements

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.

Application numbers

This vacancy may close early if it receives a high number of applications. Please complete and submit your application in good time to avoid disappointment.

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