Job summary
University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust is delighted to offer a fantastic opportunity to work with us.

Please see below for the detailed job description of the role.

Main duties of the job
Two exciting opportunities available: 1 Full-Time (37.5 hours, covering maternity leave) and 1 Part-Time (34.5 hours per week, permanent)

Are you an experienced nurse with a passion for research and for improving outcomes for children and young people?

University Hospital Southampton's Clinical Research Facility is seeking two motivated and dynamic Band 7 Senior Research Sister/Charge Nurses to join our Paediatric Research Team.

These are exciting leadership opportunities to contribute to high-quality, patient-centred research that improves the lives of babies, children, young people, and their families.

As a senior member of the team, you will provide clinical, operational, and professional leadership to support the delivery of a diverse portfolio of paediatric research studies.

You will work closely with multidisciplinary teams to embed research within clinical care and ensure every eligible patient has the opportunity to participate in research.

For one post, we are particularly seeking candidates with experience in both paediatric nursing and research. For the second post, paediatric experience is desirable but not essential; however, applicants should demonstrate strong research experience, leadership ability, and a track record of managing and developing teams.

Support will be provided to develop paediatric-specific knowledge where required.

About us
University Hospital Southampton is one of England's largest acute teaching Trusts, offering a wide range of learning and development opportunities to support your career aspirations.

Located on the south coast with an international airport and direct rail links to London, Southampton offers an ideal setting to live and work, with the New Forest, South Downs and Jurassic Coast.

We believe that using technology wisely shows strong time management and commitment to innovation. However, personalising your recruitment application to highlight your unique skills and experiences is crucial. Relying too heavily on generic, AI-generated content instead of drawing from your own strengths and accomplishments may lead to your application being rejected if multiple candidates present identical or similar information.

At UHS, we're committed to providing a flexible working environment where possible. Whether you are balancing family, study, or your wellbeing with your career, we want to support you so you can help our patients.

At UHS, we proudly champion individuality, recognising that outstanding care is only possible with a diverse, inclusive team. We're committed to creating an anti-racist, anti-discriminatory environment where everyone feels valued, safe, and empowered to make a meaningful impact in our communities. We welcome applicants of all backgrounds, identities, and experiences to join us in building a healthcare community where everyone can belong, thrive, and contribute.

Details
Date posted: 07 August 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 7
Salary: £49,387 to £56,515 a year
pa or pa pro rata
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time, Part-time
Reference number: 188-THQ030826
Job locations: Southampton General Hospital, Tremona Road, Southampton, SO16 6YD, United Kingdom

Job responsibilities
If you are an ambitious and forward-thinking registered nurse with excellent leadership skills, a commitment to research excellence, and a desire to make a real difference to patient care, we would love to hear from you.

Please note that this is an on-site role. We strongly encourage prospective applicants to arrange an informal visit to learn more about the role, the team, and the working environment before applying.

Join us and help shape the future of paediatric healthcare through research at UHS.

You will lead and manage the paediatric nursing team in the NIHR Southampton Clinical Research Facility. The team works across all specialities within the Children's Hospital and out in the community.

Responsible for the day-to-day management of the paediatric nursing team (including Research Nurses, AHPs, Clinical Research Practitioners and Clinical Trial Assistants), ensuring appropriate cover and skill mix for smooth running of research projects.

Liaise with Principal Investigators (PIs) and allocate research projects to Research Nurses and AHPs, using professional judgement to assess workload and nursing capacity and ensure studies are delivered to time and to targets.

Provide professional leadership and support at departmental level and collaborate to enhance clinical practice and strategy.

Provide highly specialised research advice to healthcare staff concerning the paediatric research process and clinical expertise to ensure high standards of care and safety for research participants.

Actively promote the value of paediatric research and lead initiatives to embed clinical research within routine clinical practice.

We are looking for an enthusiastic paediatric registered nurse who has significant clinical experience.

You will have experience of clinical research delivery and can work in a fast-paced clinical environment.

Experience in early phase, human challenge and experimental medicine research would be beneficial. Experience of delivering research within primary or secondary care would be advantageous.

Leadership, line management and excellent interpersonal skills are essential, as is flexibility and team-working skills.

You will need excellent project management skills, and you must be able to problem solve and prioritise effectively to deliver agreed objectives. Excellent written and verbal communication skills are required to provide guidance and support to the teams whilst liaising with senior staff across departments.

The ability to communicate with staff and colleagues at all levels and disciplines in an engaging manner is essential.

IT skills including Microsoft Office are essential.

Some studies are delivered across a variety of settings, and therefore the ability to travel to different clinic locations is required. Leadership: Ability to lead, mentor, and supervise junior research nurses and other staff. This includes providing guidance on research best practices and fostering a supportive and educational environment.

To understand the day-to-day responsibilities in more detail, please read the full job description.

Person Specification
Qualifications / training required
Essential

• Masters degree in a health care related subject or relevant equivalent experience
• Registered Nurse or AHP on relevant part of the professional register (NMC HCPC)
• Evidence of on-going professional development.
• Experience of teaching and mentorship

Desirable

• Recognised qualification in teaching and mentorship
• Recognised qualification in relevant speciality

Previous or relevant experience necessary
Essential

• Recent experience of working with patients at a senior level
• Clinical Research experience
• Relevant speciality experience
• Knowledge of current issues within acute health care
• Recent management experience
• Recent NHS experience or equivalent
• Knowledge of Research Governance Framework (RGF), International Conference on Harmonisation/Good Clinical Practice (ICH/GCP)

Desirable

• Research coordinator experience

Values and behaviours
Essential

• Patients First
• Always Improving
• Working Together

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details
Employer name: University Hospital Southampton NHS Trust
Address: Southampton General Hospital, Tremona Road, Southampton, SO16 6YD, United Kingdom
Employer's website: https://www.uhs.nhs.uk/home.aspx (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact:
Lead Research Matron
Lisa Berry
Lisa.Berry@uhs.nhs.uk
02381205678

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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).