Job summary
Viaduct Care GP Federation is seeking an experienced and motivated Primary Care Research Project Lead to support the development and delivery of primary care research across Stockport. This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in embedding research into routine general practice, increasing participation in NIHR Portfolio and commercially sponsored research studies, and helping to develop a sustainable research-ready workforce. The postholder will initially work across two Primary Care Networks (PCNs) Tame Valley and Bramhall & Cheadle Hulme supporting practices to become research active through training, mentorship, project coordination, and partnership working. Working closely with GP practices, Principal Investigators, PCN Clinical Directors, the North West Research Delivery Network (NWRDN), Middlewood Partnership and other system partners, you will help improve patient access to research, increase research capacity and capability, and contribute to reducing health inequalities across Stockport. This is a 12-month fixed-term post, funded through the NWRDN Strategic Funding Programme.

Main duties of the job

• Lead and coordinate the delivery of Viaduct Care's Primary Care Research Programme across participating PCNs.
• Support GP practices and multidisciplinary teams to become research ready and participate in NIHR Portfolio and commercially sponsored research studies.
• Develop strong relationships with GP practices, Primary Care Networks, research partners and key stakeholders.
• Coordinate research training, mentorship and shadowing opportunities to build workforce capability and support the development of new Principal Investigators (PIs).
• Support study feasibility, set-up, recruitment and delivery, ensuring studies are delivered in line with research governance requirements.
• Promote inclusive research participation by working with practices and community partners to improve access for underserved populations.
• Develop and maintain project plans, monitor progress against agreed milestones, and prepare reports for the NWRDN and Viaduct Care.
• Contribute to the development of a sustainable hub-and-spoke model for research delivery that can be expanded across Stockport.

About us
Viaduct Care CIC is the company structure for Stockport's GP Federation and represents all of its local GP Practices. Covering a patient population of circa 300,000 practices are split into 6 PCNs with each serving a population of around 30,000-50,000 patients. Viaduct Care represents the collective voice and interests of its member practices and as a key stakeholder in Stockport Together aims to influence and support the design and delivery of major service and system changes by being a strong and effective partner with other major service providers. One of our priorities at Viaduct Care is to ensure that wellbeing and development of our team is at the forefront of everything we do. We have recently launched our new employee assistance programme, assisting our team to get access to a range of advice 24 hours a day. Additionally, we are keen to provide opportunities for team members to develop and grow including access to an extensive range of training and up to five paid study days per year.

Job responsibilities
The postholder will work across a complex system of clinical, operational, and academic stakeholders, including:

• Principal Investigators (GPs and clinicians across participating practices), supporting them in the delivery of safe and effective research studies
• GP practices across participating PCNs, embedding research into routine workflows and clinical systems
• Primary Care Network (PCN) Managers, supporting operational alignment, capacity planning, and integration into PCN priorities
• Clinical Directors, providing regular updates on progress, risks, and strategic delivery outcomes
• Viaduct Care Senior Management Team, ensuring alignment with organisational strategy and system objectives
• Viaduct Care services including FCP, SIPS, Nursing, WBSC and Viaduct Academy
• NIHR Clinical Research Network and research delivery partners, ensuring compliance and best practice in research delivery
• Middlewood Partnership (Cheshire East) and the Peer Support Network, supporting training, shadowing, and workforce development
• Social Prescribing teams and digital facilitators, supporting engagement with underserved and hard-to-reach populations
• Patients, carers, and community groups, ensuring inclusive participation in research opportunities
• Study sponsors and Clinical Research teams
• Study participants and their families
• Diagnostic services in Secondary and Tertiary Care

Details
Date posted: 03 July 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 7
Salary: £49,387 to £56,515 a year pro rata
Contract: Fixed term
Duration: 12 months
Working pattern: Part-time, Flexible working
Reference number: B0463-26-0007
Job locations: Office 25, Merseyway Innovation Centre, 21-23 Merseyway, Stockport, Greater Manchester, SK1 1PN, United Kingdom

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
The postholder will play a key role in leading the development, implementation and continuous improvement of research delivery within primary care settings, combining programme leadership, service development, workforce capability building and hands-on research delivery expertise.

The postholder will work autonomously across participating Primary Care Networks (PCNs), providing operational leadership for research activity whilst supporting the development of a sustainable and scalable research infrastructure across Stockport.

Person Specification

Personal Qualities and Attributes
Essential

• Proactive, self-motivated, and adaptable approach to work
• Commitment to patient-centred care and reducing health inequalities
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to quality
• Innovative, proactive and solution-focused approach
• Commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion
• Ability to work collaboratively across organisations and teams
• Ability to travel between PCNs / practice sites as required

Desirable

• Experience of financial or project budget management

Experience
Essential

• Experience coordinating or delivering research in a healthcare setting
• Experience working within primary care / PCNs or integrated care systems
• Experience leading projects, programmes, service improvement initiatives or transformational change
• Experience working across organisational boundaries and managing multiple stakeholders
• Experience of NIHR portfolio studies or equivalent
• Experience working within multidisciplinary teams (MDT)
• Experience supporting Principal Investigators in research delivery
• Experience developing SOPs, pathways, governance processes or operational procedures
• Experience working autonomously and managing competing priorities
• Experience analysing complex information and presenting recommendations
• To understand safeguarding procedures / policy for adults, Children and Young persons chaperone procedures.

Desirable

• Understanding of primary care systems and PCN structures
• Experience of commercial research delivery
• Experience of business case development, funding applications or bid writing

Qualifications
Essential

• Degree or equivalent experience in healthcare, research, or related field
• Good Clinical Practice (GCP) training or willingness to undertake
• Training in research methods or clinical research delivery evidenced of CPD
• Project Management qualification (PRINCE2 Foundation, Agile Foundation, MSP Foundation or equivalent) OR demonstrable experience of leading complex projects and service transformation
• Registered healthcare professional (NMC / HCPC / GPhC or equivalent)

Desirable

• Postgraduate qualification in a relevant subject
• Leadership or Management qualification

Skills, Knowledge and Aptitudes
Essential

• Research clinical skills to include venepuncture, ability to take baseline observations e.g. blood pressure, pulse, temperature, weight, height, ECG use.
• Knowledge and experience of handling centrifuges and dry ice, transporting and tracking samples
• Knowledge of research governance, ethics, and regulatory requirements
• Experience using EMIS (Search & Reports) for cohort identification and recruitment
• Knowledge of legislation and experience of obtaining informed consent in clinical and research settings
• Ability to design, run, and refine EMIS searches for recruitment and feasibility
• Experience using EMIS or similar clinical systems for data extraction
• Strong understanding of patient recruitment and engagement strategies
• Knowledge of public health issues within the local area
• Strong stakeholder engagement and relationship management skills
• Understanding of health inequalities and inclusive recruitment approaches
• Ability to analyse, interpret, and present data clearly
• High level of IT literacy, including clinical and research systems
• Experience delivering training or supporting workforce development

Desirable

• Awareness of digital recruitment tools (NHS App, NIHR platforms, Be Part of Research)
• Awareness of wider health issues and knowledge of health promotion strategies

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