Research Nurse

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust; West of England; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 34,000; Full time

Job summary

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust invites applications for a Band 5 Research Nurse within the Neurosciences research team. The role involves delivering care interventions per protocol, recruiting and following up with participants, and managing data across studies.

You will work with experienced delivery colleagues, receive training and progression through the Research Delivery Competency Framework, and access specialty-specific development opportunities within a supportive NHS setting.

Qualifications

• RGN with live registration
• Degree in nursing/health or related field
• Demonstrates ongoing professional development
• GCP qualification (desirable)
• Experience recording data and managing documentation in healthcare
• Strong organisational skills for efficient workflows
• Relevant clinical experience
• Experience with extended roles (e.g., Venepuncture, ECG)
• Competent IT/digital literacy with room to grow
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills
• Good clinical and assessment capabilities
• Attention to detail and meeting deadlines
• Ability to interpret and implement protocols/policies
• Awareness of own limitations and escalation use
• Experience supervising junior staff (desirable)
• Adaptability and flexibility to meet service needs
• Ability to manage competing priorities autonomously
• Interest in clinical research

Responsibilities

• Contribute to the performance of the Research Team
• Screening and recruiting patients to studies
• Perform and manage follow-up appointments for all patients in studies
• Extended use of computer systems for data management
• Enter research data into study databases and address queries
• Coordinate patient visits and assessments per protocol
• Maintain Investigator site files and complete CRFs accurately
• Ensure study information is recorded in patients' records
• Monitor adverse events and report promptly
• Collaborate with senior nurses and R&D to manage workload and development

Skills

IT/digital literacy

Communication skills

Clinical assessment skills

Attention to detail

Interpret protocols

Awareness of limitations

Education

RGN Registration

Degree level in nursing/health

Continuous professional development

Job description

Education/Training/Qualifications

Essential criteria

North Bristol NHS Trust (NBT) and University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW) have merged as of 1st July 2026 to become Bristol NHS Foundation Trust. This creates 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. We particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates as they are under-represented within the Trust. 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

Band 5 Research Nurse

Please note that interviews will be held face to face only.

Working in Research is different

It is about giving patients the opportunity to shape the advancement of knowledge and practice by delivering care interventions against a research protocol, advocating for patients and participants, and collecting and managing a wide range of clinical and non-clinical data. No two days are the same! If this appeals to you...

Come and join our research team!

Our research delivery teams are supportive, highly motivated multi-disciplinary teams providing clinical research opportunities across a wide range of clinical settings and specialties. This post is ideal for those who wish to build on their existing clinical experience or who simply have an interest in delivering research which contributes to the development of evidence-based patient care.

If you are dedicated, enthusiastic, with exceptional organisational skills, planning, and attention to detail then this may be the ideal opportunity for you.

You would work alongside experienced research delivery colleagues to support a portfolio of both commercial and non-commercial research. You will be offered training and development, including progression through the regional Research Delivery Competency Framework, as well as specialty specific training and development.

We welcome informal visits and encourage you to contact us about the role.

Main duties of the job

• Contribute to the performance of the Research Team
• Screening and recruiting patients to a range of studies.
• Perform and maintain the follow up appointments for all patients in all studies.
• Extended use of computer systems
• Enter research data onto study databases and manage any queries raised.
• Co-ordinate the logistics for patient visits and undertake patient assessments in accordance with study protocol.
• Maintain Investigator site file (s) and complete Case Report Forms (CRF/eCRF) with a high degree of accuracy.
• Ensure appropriate study information is accurately recorded in the patient’s records.
• Monitor patients for any adverse events and ensure they are reported as necessary in a timely manner.
• Work closely with the senior research nurse, research nurse team and Research and Development department to manage workload, study progress and personal development.

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

Please see job description and person specification for full details of this role.

The post will initially be working in the neurosciences team but with potential to support other R&D research teams.

About

This is a great opportunity for someone who would like to gain experience of working in research and be part of a highly motivated and performing team. If you would like to speak to us to find out more about what this exciting and rewarding role involves, then please contact: Deanna Stephens (Senior Research Nurse Neurosciences) - [e-mail]

Person specification

Education/Training/Qualifications

Essential criteria

• RGN, with current live Registration
• Degree level education in nursing or health related subject
• Demonstrates continuous professional development

Desirable criteria

• GCP

Work Experience

Essential criteria

• Experience recording data and managing documentation in a healthcare setting
• A good level of organisational skills, to support the efficiency and effectiveness of own and departmental workflows
• Relevant clinical experience

Desirable criteria

• Experience of extended roles Eg. Venepuncture, ECG, link roles

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

Essential criteria

• Competent IT/digital literacy skills, with the ability to develop further
• Effective communication, interpersonal, and influencing skills.
• Demonstrates basic clinical and assessment skills.
• Attention to detail and ability to meet deadlines.
• Ability to interpret and implement protocols, policies, and procedures.
• Awareness of own limitations and appropriate use of escalation processes.

Desirable criteria

• Experience in research-related administrative processes.
• Experience supervising junior staff.

Personal Qualities/Special Circumstances

Essential criteria

• Adaptability and flexibility to meet service needs working across teams if necessary
• Ability to manage competing priorities and work autonomously.

Desirable criteria

• Interest in clinical research

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.

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.