Trust Doctor (Research)

Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust; Exeter; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Part time

Job summary

A leading healthcare institution in Exeter is seeking a Trust Research Doctor to contribute to clinical trial delivery. This role involves collaboration with established research teams across various medical specialties, ensuring high standards of care for research participants. Applicants should be fully registered medical practitioners with experience in clinical research. The post is part-time, flexible, and does not require on-call duties, offering a supportive environment with opportunities for teaching and professional development.

Benefits

27 days paid annual leave plus bank holidays

Access to occupational health services

Extensive range of staff discounts

NHS Pension scheme

Qualifications

• Must be a fully registered medical practitioner eligible to work in the UK.
• Experience in clinical trials and research is essential.
• Ability to work in a multidisciplinary team and support junior staff.

Responsibilities

• Support the delivery of clinical research trials across specialties.
• Collaborate with Consultants and provide medical oversight for trials.
• Contribute to the effective operation of the Trust’s research units.

Skills

Collaboration with multidisciplinary team

Clinical research experience

Ability to teach and support junior colleagues

Education

Full registration as a medical practitioner

Job description

Go back Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

Trust Doctor (Research)

The closing date is 13 February 2026

The appointee will support the delivery of clinical research trials and studies across a broad range of the Trust’s specialties, working under the oversight of study Principal Investigators (PIs). The role involves close collaboration with Consultants and the wider multidisciplinary team to ensure the safe, effective, and high-quality conduct of research across all phases of clinical trials.

All Trust doctors are allocated a Clinical Supervisor and are encouraged to maintain a professional portfolio. The post holder will have access to relevant educational opportunities and will provide high-quality clinical care to research participants with a wide range of conditions, in accordance with study protocols and Good Clinical Practice. The role requires working as part of a dynamic, multidisciplinary research team and contributing to the effective clinical operation of the Trust’s research units.

The post is predominantly Monday to Friday during usual working hours, although some flexibility is required. There is no on‑call commitment. The post holder will also be expected to support and teach more junior colleagues within the multidisciplinary research team, as well as medical and other students, as appropriate.

Main duties of the job

For more detail about the main duties of this role, please see the job description section below. As a key member of the Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, you will be joining an exceptional team working together to help our patients stay healthy, when they need it most.

About us

Stretching across Northern, Eastern and Mid Devon, we have a workforce of over 15,000 staff, making us the largest employer in Devon. Our core services, which we provide to more than 615,000 people, cover more than 2,000 square miles across Devon, while some of our specialist services cover the whole of the peninsula, extending our reach as far as Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.

We deliver a wide range of emergency, specialist and general medical services through North Devon District Hospital and the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital (Wonford).

Alongside our two acute hospitals, we provide integrated health and social care services across a variety of settings, including community inpatient hospitals, outpatient clinics, and within people’s own homes. We also offer primary care services, a range of specialist community services, and Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARC).

Our state‑of‑the‑art equipment, leading technologies and strong links to local universities put us at the forefront of research and innovations, enabling us to provide world‑class care to our local communities.

It’s never been a more exciting time to join the Royal Devon, as you’ll help shape our services as we continue along our integration journey.

Job responsibilities

For more information on the Job Description and Responsibilities please click the link below.

More detail about the role

The Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is seeking to appoint a Trust Research Doctor based at the Trust’s Wonford site.

This permanent post is designed for an experienced doctor to contribute to the delivery of high‑quality clinical research across the Trust. The role involves working with established research teams on a wide portfolio of commercial and non‑commercial clinical trials and studies, including early and late‑phase research across a broad range of medical specialties.

The post holder will be embedded within a leading teaching and research hospital and will play a key role in the clinical delivery and medical oversight of research activity. Working alongside experienced Principal Investigators (PIs) and multidisciplinary teams, the Trust Research Doctor will provide medical support to patients and healthy volunteers participating in clinical trials and studies, and contribute to the safe and effective operation of the Trust’s research units.

The post is permanent and part‑time, working 2 days per week. Flexible working arrangements are fully supported, and there is no on‑call commitment.

Applicants must be fully registered medical practitioners and eligible to work in the UK. Applications should include contact details for a minimum of two referees, covering the last two years of employment.

Interested applicants are strongly encouraged to contact the Commercial Research Matron, Heather Palfrey ([e-mail]), for further information. Informal visits to the Trust’s research facilities can be arranged.

Working Pattern: 0.3 WTE over 2 days

Interview Date: To be confirmed

For further information please contact: Heather Palfrey, Commercial Research Matron, Royal Devon Commercial Research Centre, [e-mail]

As an inclusive employer, the Royal Devon values diversity and is committed to creating a culture of inclusivity where everyone can be themselves and reach their full potential. We believe in fostering a sense of belonging and actively encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, cultures, and abilities.

Preference will be given to staff with Priority and ‘At Risk’ status including NHS At Risk staff throughout Devon.

The Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust reserves the right to close vacancy when sufficient applications have been received.

The Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust was established in April 2022, bringing together the expertise of both the Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust and Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust.

We will work together to maintain a culture that develops and supports you and your team.

This might include funding for a care certificate, a degree or leadership qualifications. Or it might include days off to study, engage in CPD or rotational placements to help you hone your skills. Wherever you are heading in the NHS, we’ll help you get there.

Looking after you is important to us.

We strive to help our staff create a healthy work‑life balance through flexible working schemes and our family‑friendly policies.

If you’re starting out in the NHS, you’ll start with 27 days paid annual leave (plus bank holidays), rising to 33 days plus bank holidays.

You’ll benefit from access to our own comprehensive occupational health services, including counselling, onsite wellbeing activities and groups.

Salary is not the only financial benefit

You’ll have access to an extensive range of staff discounts on shopping, fitness and leisure options and you can spread the cost of technology and home appliance purchases from major retailers.

You will also have access to other benefits including:

• National discount services such as the Blue Light Card and Health Service Discounts.
• Salary sacrifice options including our OFSTED‑rated outstanding nursery onsite at Exeter.
• Car lease schemes.
• The NHS Pension scheme (one of the most generous and comprehensive in the UK).

Cycle to work scheme

These are just a few of the benefits available. If the role is something you are interested in, we’d love to hear from you.

Person Specification

General Requirements

• See job description text above, and (where applicable) you can download a copy of the full job description.
• See job description text above, and (where applicable) you can download a copy of the full job description.

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.

Employer name

Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust