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Job summary

Main area
Research Delivery Network (RDN)
Grade
Band 6
Contract
Permanent
Hours
  • Full time
  • Part time
37.5 hours per week
Job ref
188-HS020926
Employer
University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
Please see 'Detailed job description and main responsibilities'
Town
Southampton / Oxford
Salary
£39,959 - £48,117 - per annum, pro rata
Closing
29/09/2026 23:59
Interview date
26/10/2026

Employer heading

University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust logo

Research Nurse / Mental Health Nurse / AHP

Band 6

Job overview

NIHR South Central Regional Research Delivery  is delighted to offer a fantastic opportunity to work with us.

Please see below for detailed job description of the role.

Job Title: Research / Mental Health Nurse / AHP
Base: Regional Agile team (Oxford/Southampton base)
Contract Type: Permanent

Main duties of the job

This is an exciting opportunity to join our team as a Band 6 Senior Nurse, Midwife or Allied Health Professional in the NIHR South Central Regional Research Delivery Network’s Agile Research Delivery Team.

You will support NIHR research across health and care settings, including mental health services. You will recruit and support research participants, obtain informed consent, deliver study interventions and follow-up, collect clinical data and samples, and ensure studies are delivered safely in line with research protocols and Good Clinical Practice.

You will work collaboratively with clinical teams, researchers, participants and carers, while supporting and supervising colleagues, contributing to service improvement and helping to develop research delivery practice.

We are looking for an enthusiastic and adaptable registered Nurse, Midwife or AHP with relevant clinical experience, leadership skills and an understanding of research governance. Research experience is desirable, with strong communication, organisation, IT and team-working skills.

A mental health background would be particularly valuable, especially experience of supporting people with complex needs, building trusting relationships, managing risk and working with carers and multidisciplinary teams.

The role offers an excellent opportunity to broaden your clinical and research experience, develop your leadership skills and contribute to research that makes a meaningful difference to patients and communities.

Working for our organisation

As one of the largest acute teaching Trusts in England, University Hospital Southampton works in partnership with the NIHR South Central Regional Research Delivery Network (RRDN) to support high-quality health and care research across the region.

Our work spans mental health, acute, community and primary care settings, bringing research opportunities to patients, communities and underserved populations. We collaborate with researchers, healthcare professionals, patients, carers, public groups and life sciences organisations to deliver research that responds to local needs.

As part of the Agile Research Delivery Team, you will work across specialties, organisations and settings, developing your clinical and research experience while contributing to studies that improve patient care and outcomes. We value collaboration, innovation, professional development and continuous improvement.

You will work alongside research professionals and multidisciplinary colleagues, with opportunities to develop your research and leadership skills, mentor colleagues and engage with NIHR networks.

You will also help develop research delivery across the region, overcome barriers to participation, improve equity of access and share innovative approaches with teams.

The South Central RRDN offers a varied and rewarding environment to use your clinical expertise and develop your research and leadership skills. Your base can be Oxford Science Park or the main office in Hedge End, Southampton.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

In this role, your key responsibilities will include:

  • You’ll deliver a varied portfolio of NIHR research studies, including screening and recruiting participants, obtaining informed consent, delivering interventions and completing follow-up and data collection.

  • You’ll provide high-quality, evidence-based care to research participants, undertaking clinical assessments and interventions in line with study protocols and Good Clinical Practice.

  • You’ll work collaboratively across different specialties, organisations and healthcare settings, building effective relationships with researchers, clinical teams, participants, carers and wider stakeholders.

  • You’ll contribute to the leadership, supervision and development of research delivery staff, as well as supporting service improvement, innovation and effective research delivery.

What experience/skills are needed:

  • You’ll need current NMC or HCPC registration, relevant degree-level education or equivalent experience, and evidence of ongoing professional development.

  • You’ll need leadership or management experience within a healthcare setting, alongside strong communication, interpersonal, organisational and IT skills.

  • You’ll need knowledge of clinical research, research governance and the research study lifecycle, with experience of caring for patients or participants involved in research.

  • You’ll need to work autonomously, manage competing priorities, coordinate multidisciplinary activity and demonstrate a flexible approach to working across different settings.

Additional information:

  • You’ll need a current driving licence and the ability to travel across the RRDN region, including working at different locations as required.

  • You may occasionally be required to work evenings and weekends to meet the needs of the service.

  • You’ll be expected to work within relevant professional standards, research governance requirements, legislation and Good Clinical Practice.

Location:

Main base can be Berrywood business centre, Hedge End, Shirley Research Hub, or Oxford Science Park. The NIHR South Central Regional Research Delivery Network (SCRRDN) is a hosted Organisation of University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust (UHS)

Person specification

Education and Qualifications

Essential criteria
  • Educated to degree level in science or health related discipline or in another field with experience of research trials or equivalent relevant experience/training and educated or working towards postgraduate degree level
  • Registered Nurse, Midwife or AHP on relevant part of the professional register (NMC, HCPC)
  • Evidence of ongoing professional development
Desirable criteria
  • Has completed or is undertaking a course in management / leadership

Knowledge and Experience

Essential criteria
  • Leadership management experience in a health care setting
  • Knowledge of the governance and legislative framework for conducting clinical research studies, including UK Policy Framework for Health and Care Research, UK Clinical Trials Regulations
  • Knowledge of the clinical trial and health and care research lifecycle including experience of the set up of clinical research studies in a health and care setting
  • Experience of the care of patients/participants enrolled in research studies
  • Knowledge and experience of data interpretation, verification and reporting to local and national centres

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Apprenticeships logoNo smoking policyArmed Forces Covenant (Silver Award)Care quality commission - GoodDisability confident employerInclusion UK

Applicant requirements

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Kirsty Gladas
Job title
Agile Team Senior Manager
Email address
[email protected]
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