Research Practitioner | The Christie NHS Foundation Trust

The Christie NHS Foundation Trust; Manchester; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading cancer research institution in Manchester is seeking a highly motivated Research Practitioner to improve treatment outcomes for patients with haematological malignancies. This role involves managing clinical trials, supporting research nurses, and ensuring compliance with Good Clinical Practice standards. Candidates should possess a relevant background and strong communication skills. This position offers a stimulating work environment in a multidisciplinary team dedicated to cutting-edge cancer research.

Qualifications

• A background in oncology and clinical trials is essential.
• Experience in haematological malignancies is desirable.
• Flexibility in working is required.

Responsibilities

• Assist with clinic coordination and phlebotomy clinics.
• Manage biomarker studies and support research nurses.
• Ensure compliance with clinical research protocols.

Skills

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Flexibility

Education

Care Certificate

Job description

Overview

We are looking for a highly motivated individual, interested in helping to improve patient treatment outcomes for patients affected by Haematological malignancies. Research Practitioner is an exciting and developing role, supported through the R&I division with a good education and development package in place to ensure that staff reach their potential.

This post presents an excellent opportunity to join the Haematology and Lymphoma Research teams, managing a varied portfolio of oncology studies, from early to later phase clinical trials. Central to this role is supporting the research clinical team within a multidisciplinary team, working closely with the research nurses.

A background in oncology and clinical trials, flexibility in working, excellent communication and interpersonal skills are essential. Accreditation of Care Certificate is desirable. Experience in haematological malignancies would be desirable. An informal discussion about the post is strongly recommended with the possibility to spend some time with the team to understand better the requirement of the role.

Applicants should meet all the essential criteria described in the job description as a minimum.

The post holder will assist with clinic coordination, delivery of phlebotomy clinics, management of biomarker studies, supporting research nurses in the research patient management, screening new participants and ensuring high quality data is maintained in the Haematology research team.

With support from the team, you will ensure that the safety and wellbeing of the patients is maintained within the requirement of the multi-regulatory frameworks for clinical research, ensuring compliance with ICH/GCP standards and Trust SOPs.

You will also be responsible for assisting the research nursing team with wider requirements in clinical research administration such as assisting in trial screening appointments with patients, arranging central sample collection, booking couriers and preparing patient appointments.

Organisational Context

The Christie is one of Europe’s leading cancer centres, treating over 60,000 patients a year. We are based in Manchester and serve a population of 3.2 million across Greater Manchester & Cheshire, but as a national specialist around 15% patients are referred to us from other parts of the country.

We provide radiotherapy through one of the largest radiotherapy departments in the world; chemotherapy on site and through 14 other hospitals; highly specialist surgery for complex and rare cancer; and a wide range of support and diagnostic services. We are also an international leader in research, with world first breakthroughs for over 100 years.

We run one of the largest early clinical trial units in Europe with over 300 trials every year. Cancer research in Manchester, most of which is undertaken on the Christie site, has been officially ranked the best in the UK.

Responsibilities

• Provide clinical care for research participants, as delegated by PIs and research nurses, within the boundaries of own knowledge, competence and skill level.
• Ensure that all research is undertaken according to Good Clinical Practice (GCP), standard operating procedures (SOPs) and Trust policies.
• Planning and organising day- to-day research and other activities
• Conduct delegated data collection with participants, such as questionnaires and interviews.
• Collection of biological samples as required for the clinical protocol, this may include blood, urine, sputum etc.
• Preparation of sampling kits as described in study laboratory manuals, maintaining laboratory stock and shipping & tracking of research samples.
• Undertake research-related activities as required such as clinical observations and NEWS2, blood glucose monitoring, blood sampling (venepuncture and other venous access), PK sampling, cannulation and ECGs.
• Attend individual project meetings as required.
• Contribute to clinical and research governance processes, including adverse event and incident reporting, supporting any investigations.
• Understand and deliver care in accordance with regulatory approved clinical research protocols.
• Ensure all clinical activities are recorded in appropriate systems in a timely manner.
• Evening and weekend shifts may occasionally be required to meet the clinical needs of the service

Research

• Act as a point of contact for the core Research and Innovation team, study sponsors, clinical research organisations and specific research teams, communicating directly with them regarding data queries, monitoring visits and other enquiries relevant to trial set up and general trial conduct.
• Complete case report forms as per sponsor requirements, and liaise with clinical trial monitors to ensure the data sent is valid and their requirements are met at site monitoring visits.
• Cross check, confirm data and complete query resolution with sponsors and third parties in a timely manner.
• Completion of clinical trial specific databases with data from various sources such as questionnaires, hospital records and other electronic and paper sources.
• Liaise with internal and external NHS staff regarding case notes, data collection, archival tumour blocks, mortality data, and other general trial activities, which may be confidential and sensitive in nature.
• Ensure that data is available and up to date for any meetings related to a clinical trial.
• If required attend project related meetings, investigator meetings (abroad or teleconferences, as necessary) to convey the relevant information to the study team.
• Undertake general administrative tasks related to clinical trials as delegated by your line manager.
• Assist with preparation for audit and inspections within assigned teams.

Key Values

• Demonstrates the agreed set of values and accountable for own attitude and behaviour.
• Maintain investigator site files and essential documentation in accordance with ICH GCP and Trust SOPs to ensure they are kept inspection ready at all times.
• Process trial amendment submissions in accordance with ICH-GCP and Trust SOPs and timelines.

This advert closes on Friday 2 Jan 2026