Job summary
We are seeking two Research Practitioners/Nurses, with an interest in improving the lives of individuals with mental health difficulties such as depression and bipolar disorder to join our research team. AWP are committed to improving the lives of people with mental health difficulties through research that improves our services

AWP R&D has over 25 research staff supporting the development and delivery of research over six counties in England (Bristol, North Somerset, South Gloucester, BANES, Swindon & Wiltshire). Our work covers a broad range of topic areas, including exploring novel treatments for bipolar, treatment resistant depression and depression. This role offers an opportunity to support a broad range of NIHR-portfolio research studies, including observational (questionnaire/interview) studies and interventional trials exploring psychological and pharmacological interventions for mental health conditions.

Right to Work in the UK This position is not eligible for Skilled Worker visa sponsorship. Applicants must already hold the legal right to work in the UK at the time of application, as the organisation is unable to support sponsorship for this post.

Main duties of the job
The main function of the Research & Delivery team is to provide support research falling within Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust.

R&D welcome diversity in everything we do. We are passionate about our workforce being activists for anti-discrimination and welcome individuals with a fuller understanding of lived experiences of a protected characteristic and all that it entails.

The base of the R&D team is the Blackberry Hill site in Bristol. The post holder will be required to provide support across the Trust depending on the needs of the research. Therefore, the ability and willingness to travel is a requirement of the role.

This role is particularly suitable for individuals that have a background in psychology, and/or experience of delivering mental health research and/or research in NHS/social care settings.

About us
We are the lead provider of healthcare for people with serious mental illness, learning disabilities and autism across Bath and North East Somerset (BaNES), Swindon and Wiltshire, and Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire.

We aim to provide High Quality, Compassionate Care everywhere, every day. This means our services will be safe, clinically effective and provide a positive all round experience for our patients, families and carers. And we believe passionately in treating everyone with kindness, respect and empathy.

Key to this is providing a supportive and safe environment for our 4,000 staff where we all feel welcome and able to do the best we can for those we support. Our staff and teams work incredibly hard delivering services across more than 90 locations, covering 2,200 miles, to more than 1.8 million people.

At AWP we actively encourage applicants from all backgrounds; we are particularly keen to encourage applications from people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, those with disabilities and from the LGBTQ+ community. We want people to bring their unique blend of experiences, backgrounds, perspectives and knowledge to AWP, as diversity makes us stronger.

Details
Date posted: 19 October 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 5
Salary: £32,073 to £39,043 a year
Contract: Fixed term
Duration: 12 months
Working pattern: Full-time
Reference number: 342-CS050-1026

Job responsibilities

• Pre-screen, Screen and recruit participants.
• Assist with patient eligibility for entry to research.
• Obtain informed consent.
• Provide ongoing information, advice and support to participants in relation to research participation.
• Update appropriate databases accurately and in a timely manner.
• Undertake the collection and accurate recording of research samples (including blood, saliva and urine) from research as required by the needs of research and maintain these competencies.
• Maintain adequate patient records and ensure all relevant information is documented in the patients medical notes in relation to research contact.
• Assist with accurate safety reporting under appropriate supervision of senior colleagues.
• Maintain patient confidentiality at all times.
• Provide cover for research department as required.
• Maintain and develop skillsets through CPD.
• Support research activities as part of the extended clinical care team, as the service requires.
• Fulfil pre-screen, screening and recruitment targets as defined in KSI, dependant on research activity allocation.

Person Specification
Professional Qualification (Essential)

• Minimum of a undergraduate degree or equivalent in a psychological, health or social care discipline.

Experience (Essential)

• Experience of working with service users with mental health, dementia or neurodegenerative diseases conditions and their carers.
• Familiarity with the issues surrounding clinical data, particularly confidentiality.
• Previous experience of working with a multidisciplinary team in a healthcare environment

Experience (Desirable)

• Previous clinical research experience.

Skills and Knowledge (Essential)

• High level of interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills to work with clinical and management colleagues at all levels across a range of organisations.
• Evidence of accuracy and attention to detail in data collection (e.g., research / service evaluation / audit).

Skills and Knowledge (Desirable)

• Understanding of clinical trials in the field of mental health/dementia.

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 details
Employer name: Avon & Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust
Address: Blackberry Hill Hospital or Bath NHS House (to be confirmed at interview), Manor Road, Research & Development, BS16 2EW, United Kingdom
Employer's website: http://www.awp.nhs.uk/about-us/working-for-us/

Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact: Research & Development Manager, Monalisa Bora-White, monalisa.bora-white@nhs.net