Senior Research Nurse - Ophthalmology

Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust; Liverpool; On-site; GBP 38,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider in the United Kingdom is seeking an experienced Senior Research Nurse in Ophthalmology. This role involves managing clinical trials, providing leadership to the research team, and ensuring patient safety while complying with regulations. Applicants should have a nursing background with specific qualifications in ophthalmology and expertise in clinical research. This position offers an opportunity to contribute to innovative research within a supportive and dynamic environment.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Professional development opportunities

Qualifications

• Demonstrable experience working within research specialties.
• Experience of patient education and counseling.
• Ability to meet tight deadlines and work in a highly demanding environment.

Responsibilities

• Assist in the assessment of patients for research eligibility.
• Provide advice to patients about clinical research participation.
• Maintain high standards of care in line with protocols.

Skills

Clinical research knowledge

Project management skills

Communication skills

Data analysis skills

Education

Registered Nurse, NMC registration

Post-registration Ophthalmic Nursing qualification

Clinical examination course

Tools

MS Office proficiency

Job description

Senior Research Nurse - Ophthalmology

The closing date is 15 December 2025

We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced and motivated senior research nurse to join the ophthalmology research team at Liverpool University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.

As an ophthalmology band 7 research nurse you will be working alongside the Research Matron and an experienced research team.

The department works on a wide range of studies in a variety of ophthalmic conditions, working with the University, and participation in the various phases of clinical trials.

You will work closely with the research team to meet delivery targets; you will have support from working closely with the Clinical Eye Research business team.

You will have proven leadership skills and demonstrable experience working on clinical trials and as part of a multi-disciplinary staff. You will need excellent project management skills and be able to troubleshoot, and work with study monitors.

Day to day leadership and management will be a part of your remit, to deliver the studies to time and target, this will include research practitioners, and support staff.

Main duties of the job

• Comprehensive knowledge of clinical research including issues on ethics, law, drug development and management in clinical research.
• Maintaining overall standard of care for patients at all times.
• Liaison with sponsor companies and multi-disciplinary research teams.
• Educational and developmental role.
• Good project management skills.
• To ensure that all clinical research activity is ICH GCP compliant and conducted in accordance with the agreed protocols.
• 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 ensure that all data is collected and managed effectively and accurately.

About us

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.

Job responsibilities

• To assist the clinicians in the assessment of patients/volunteers for eligibility for research and monitoring of their condition throughout their participation.
• To provide ongoing advice and information to patients/volunteers with regard to their participation in clinical research in order to facilitate effective informed consent.
• To ensure that the patients health and safety are paramount in all procedures that takes place for trial purposes.
• To assist the clinicians to report and record any adverse events as dictated by Trust and Departmental protocols.
• To assist the clinicians with protocol development and ethical approval.
• The analysis of data and preparation of reports for presentation and publication.
• Deliver presentations within LUHFT and to other services and agencies.
• 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 carry out clinical procedures and treatment interventions according to pre‑determined protocols, including clinical examination of patients, venepuncture and venous cannulation, vital.
• To carry out the collection, processing and shipping of biological specimens according to protocol requirements and follow‑up appropriately on alert values.
• To be involved in the education of patients with regard to various aspects of disease within the speciality.
• To ensure clinical and research documentation and record keeping is completed accurately and efficiently in accordance EU Directive, ICH GCP Guidelines.
• To work within the N.M.C Code Of Conduct and scope of professional conduct.
• To report on a regular basis to the Senior Nurse of the R&D department for professional support and guidance.
• To have sufficient computer skills for the handling and management of computerised data.
• To co‑operate with Specialist Nurses within the speciality.
• To keep up‑to‑date with relevant medical literature, developments in clinical research methodology, monitoring and local regulatory and ethical requirements.
• To attend courses, research meetings, conferences and study days in order to remain up to date with all relevant aspects of clinical research.
• To participate in the education and development of staff/students, e.g. clinical supervision and ensure that all personnel are adequately informed about, and comply with all details of the trials.
• Undertake first‑line management responsibilities as and when necessary within the role.
• To contribute to all aspects of the planning, conduct and reporting of clinical trials and in‑house studies in the field of Speciality.
• To work on a daily basis with minimum supervision as part of the research team.
• To undertake the ordering of necessary goods and supplies as necessary.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Registered Nurse, current NMC registration
• Attendance on recent courses and/or study days on research
• Post‑registration Ophthalmic Nursing qualification or equivalent
• Clinical qualification / in venepuncture and IV cannulation or equivalent
• 1 st level degree or studying towards ? Research Qualifications ? Clinical Examination Course

Experience

• Demonstrable previous experience within the research speciality
• Demonstrable previous experience working within research
• Experience of liaison with staff at all levels in the NHS, Universities and Industry
• Experience of patient education and counselling, e.g. providing lifestyle advice

Knowledge

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

Skills

• Ability to use a personal computer, (computer literacy and proficiency in MS Office)
• Skills in administration of research and project management
• Ability to use a personal computer, (computer literacy and proficiency in MS Office / EDCL)
• Ability to work independently and prioritise / own workload and to communicate effectively with all members of the multi‑disciplinary team
• Ability to meet tight deadlines and cope in a highly demanding environment
• Excellent and effective verbal and written communication skills
• Supervision of staff / research teams Appraisal and interviewing skills
• Skills required to assist in developing new protocols
• Good communication, presentational, training and interpersonal skills
• Skills in the analysis and interpretation of data

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.