Job summaryThe GHC Research Team has a proven track record of successfully recruiting participants into both NIHR portfolio and commercial research studies. The team delivers a diverse range of high-quality research projects, including observational and cohort studies, device and drug trials, as well as mixed methods and qualitative research. Through close collaboration with clinical teams, academic partners and external sponsors, the department plays a key role in advancing evidence-based practice and improving patient outcomes.
We are seeking an enthusiastic, proactive and highly motivated Senior Research Nurse to join our established and supportive team. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to a varied portfolio of research projects across a broad range of mental and physical health specialties, helping to shape the future of healthcare through high-quality clinical research.
The successful candidate will work closely with research nurses, multidisciplinary clinicians and study teams to support the delivery of clinical research studies from set-up through to completion. Following appropriate training and competency assessment, you will take responsibility for leading studies independently, ensuring that research is delivered in accordance with study protocols, regulatory requirements and Good Clinical Practice standards.
Main duties of the jobThe Research Nurse/Practitioner must be a strong advocate for research and patients, able to both recruit and provide effective support to research participants.
The successful candidate must have excellent communication and interpersonal skills, as well as an ability to work independently and flexibly. The successful applicant will need to be enthusiastic and ready to work to recruit patients in line with targets, with the ability to meet tight deadlines.
Training and career development opportunities are available to the suitable candidate, in this friendly and dynamic department which strives for excellence in delivering first class research and patient care.
The qualification, training & experience requirements for the role are underlined in the Job Description/Person Specification.About usWe have a skilled and dedicated workforce of over 5000 colleagues working in a diverse range of services over 55 sites and within people's homes. We strive to enable a welcoming workplace culture that builds and celebrates civility, inclusivity and diversity, while providing a sense of belonging and trust.
Annual staff surveys, regular Pulse surveys and other engagement opportunities provide our people with lots of opportunity to tell us about their experiences of working with us. In the latest staff survey, 61% of colleagues gave us their views. It was great to hear that:
- 72% of colleagues would recommend the Trust as a place to work, ranking us 1st for Provider Trusts in the South West region on this question.
- 76% would recommend the standard of care provided in our services if a friend or relative needed treatment, also ranking us 1st in the South West region.
- 81% said that care of patients and service users is the Trust's priority, compared with an average in comparable NHS Trusts in England of 64%.
This high-level overview shows we are in a healthy position, with higher scores than average for comparable organisations, alongside a great response rate, indicating good staff engagement. However, we also know we have plenty of room for improvement in many areas. To that end, we continue to prioritise and invest in our commitment to genuinely becoming a Great Place to Work with consistent top-quartile performance in the annual staff survey and Pulse surveys.
DetailsDate posted: 20 August 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 6
Salary: £39,959 to £48,117 a year per annum
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time
Reference number: 327-26-671
Job locations: Fritchie Centre, Charlton Lane, Cheltenham, GL53 9DZ, United Kingdom
Job responsibilitiesThe post holder will be responsible for the assessment, planning, coordination, implementation and evaluation of individualised care plans for clinical trials participants. Additionally, they will provide patient centred care and support clinical trial participants focusing on high quality patient experience.
The post holder will be responsible for one or a number of approved clinical studies within the Trust, by working collaboratively with the clinical trials team and the wider multi-disciplinary team in the management of clinical study patients.
We provide a Multi-professional preceptorship programme that is aligned to the National Preceptorship Framework for Nursing and have been awarded the Interim quality mark from NHS England. Our programme is provided to all Newly Qualified; Nurses, Nursing Associates, Internationally Educated Practitioners, Allied Health Professionals and Return to Practice Practitioners. In addition to the programme we also offer all preceptees the opportunity of enrolling and completing the level 7 (Masters) 15 credit validated module Preceptorship for Healthcare (AP7026).
Newly qualified Social Workers are offered the Assessed and Supported Year in Employment programme (ASYE) which is similar to a preceptorship programme.
This role is not eligible for sponsorship as per the Governments UK VISA and Immigration Rules and Regulations. For more information please visit https://www.gov.uk/browse/visas-immigration/work-visas
Person SpecificationQualificationsEssential- Nursing qualification with current NMC registration
- GCP and Research governance training
Desirable- Research methodology training
ExperienceEssential- Experience of working with service users and their carers, preferably in NHS and/or mental health
- Experience of venepuncture and physical observations including ECG
- Familiarity with the issues surrounding clinical data, particularly confidentiality
Desirable- Experience of both commercial and non-commercial research studies
KnowledgeEssential- Knowledge of requirements and practicalities of GCP and Research Governance, together with the ability to disseminate this knowledge and information.
- Knowledge of the NHS Ethics and R&D application processes.
- Proficient in the use of email, the internet and Microsoft Office suite
Desirable- Understanding of clinical trials in the field of mental health
SkillsEssential- Ability to work autonomously using own initiative and as a member of a team
- Proven interpersonal and 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.
- Ability to engage with the public and colleagues in a pleasant and polite manner at all times.
Disclosure and Barring Service CheckThis 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.
UK RegistrationApplicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Employer detailsEmployer name: Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust
Address: Fritchie Centre, Charlton Lane, Cheltenham, GL53 9DZ, United Kingdom
Employer's website: https://www.ghc.nhs.uk/who-we-are/jobs/ (Opens in a new tab)
Employer contact detailsFor questions about the job, contact: Head of Research & Development, Robert Mullen, robert.mullen@ghc.nhs.uk, 03004215946
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.Applicants must have current UK professional registration. 
