Research Nurse

Lancashire Teaching Hospitals; Rishton; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 46,000; Full time

Job summary

Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a motivated Research Nurse to support high-quality clinical research and trials across our network. You will work on commercial and academic studies, collaborating with the Research Team and Medical and Surgical Division to grow a diverse portfolio of trials.

You will drive adherence to Good Clinical Practice (GCP) and ensure patient safety, data integrity, and regulatory compliance while contributing to our mission to advance women’s

Qualifications

• Degree in Nursing or equivalent post-registration experience.
• NMC Registration (NMC registered).
• Evidence of continuing professional education.

Responsibilities

• Ensure the safe planning, delivery and evaluation of care for patients participating in clinical trials and research studies.
• Act as a clinical expert in research delivery, ensuring patient safety at all times.
• Communicate effectively with multidisciplinary teams, sponsors, external partners and patients.
• Demonstrate excellent organisational skills, attention to detail and accurate data management.
• Uphold Good Clinical Practice (GCP) principles across all research activity.
• Support development of a strong research culture within the Trust.

Skills

Leadership experience

Multidisciplinary teamwork

Clinical research knowledge

Regulatory awareness

Education

Degree in Nursing / equivalent

NMC Registration

Job description

Job overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a motivated and dynamic Research Nurse to support the delivery of high‑quality clinical research and trials across Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

As a Research Nurse, you will play a vital role in supporting the development and delivery of both commercial and academic research studies across a range of specialities. Working with strong leadership skills, you will collaborate closely with colleagues within the Research Team and the Medical and Surgical Division to build and sustain a diverse portfolio of clinical trials and research studies.

You will actively facilitate the implementation of Good Clinical Practice (GCP), ensuring that all research activity across the division consistently meets these standards. As a research‑active organisation, LTHTR is committed to giving patients access to innovative treatments, improving clinical outcomes, and supporting colleagues to develop their research delivery skills.

Main duties of the job

• Ensure the safe planning, delivery and evaluation of care for patients participating in clinical trials and research studies
• Act as a clinical expert in research delivery, ensuring patient safety is paramount at all times
• Communicate effectively and confidently with multidisciplinary teams, sponsors, external partners and patients
• Demonstrate excellent organisational skills, attention to detail and accurate data management
• Uphold Good Clinical Practice (GCP) principles across all research activity
• Support the development of a strong research culture within the Trus

Working for our organisation

Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (LTHTr) is one of the largest and busiest acute Trusts in the North West, providing high‑quality care to the communities of Lancashire and South Cumbria. We are proud of our strong research culture and our ambition to become a recognised Centre of Excellence, particularly in women’s health and maternity research.

As part of our Research & Innovation (R&I) team, you will join a supportive and dynamic department committed to building research capacity, improving patient outcomes, and reducing health inequalities. We work closely with regional partners, national research networks, and academic institutions, including Tommy’s Research Centre and local universities, to ensure our patients have access to cutting‑edge studies and innovative care pathways.

LTHTr is dedicated to supporting the development of our staff. You will have access to training, mentorship, and opportunities to expand your clinical and academic skills. Our Trust values compassion, teamwork, and continuous improvement, and we foster an environment where staff feel empowered, respected, and encouraged to contribute to meaningful change.

Joining us means becoming part of an organisation that is passionate about making a real difference—both to the patients we serve and to the future of women’s health research across our region.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The post holder will support the Research and Innovation department to provide high‑quality, compassionate and patient‑focused care for people taking part in research within the Lancashire Clinical Research Facility and across clinical services. They will make sure care is planned, delivered and reviewed in line with Trust values, national standards, Good Clinical Practice and evidence‑based guidance. The role involves leading and coordinating safe research care, reducing risks, keeping clear and accurate records, and ensuring patients are treated with dignity, involved in decisions and kept safe. The post holder will act as a positive role model, supervising and supporting staff and students, helping with recruitment, training, appraisals and performance management, and promoting a respectful and inclusive working culture. They will also help manage the clinical environment and resources, support governance activities such as audits, incidents and complaints, develop and follow Standard Operating Procedures, promote equality, health education and wellbeing, and support the set‑up and delivery of commercial and academic clinical trials alongside Principal Investigators and multidisciplinary teams, ensuring all research meets regulatory requirements and high quality standards.

Person specification

Qualifications & Education

Essential criteria

• Degree in Nursing / or equivalent post registration experience
• Appropriate NMC Registration
• Evidence of continuing professional education

Desirable criteria

• GCP certificate
• NMC recognised Mentorship qualification

Knowledge & Experience

Essential criteria

• Experience of CTIMP trials
• Evidence of leadership experience and learning
• Awareness of recent advances within Nursing practice
• Knowledge of Clinical Governance and safeguarding and the relevance to practice
• Knowledge of the roles and responsibilities of a clinical research nurse
• Knowledge of relevant policies and procedures
• Experience of implementing changes to benefit patients and improve nursing practice
• Knowledge of Ethical issues

Desirable criteria

• Evidence of clinical competence in area of speciality
• Understand the clinical research process
• Good Clinical Practice Training
• Experience of leading a team and taking charge on shift