Senior Clinical Research Officer

Job summary

As a centre of excellence have an exciting vacancy for a dynamic, proactive Senior Clinical Research Officer in our research delivery and support team. The successful applicant will need to have a customer-focused approach, a high degree of interpersonal skills and excellent attention to detail. We are looking for a candidate who embodies our Trust's values in all aspects of their work ensuring we put the person first and in the centre , we know that families and carers matter, we are respectful, honest, open and transparent, we improve and aim to be outstanding, we are relevant today and ready for tomorrow and high standards through their actions and interactions with colleagues and service users.

The Trust's research team is going through a period of growth which offers exciting opportunities to contribute to its development and become involved in a variety of projects including the Centre for Equity for Mental Health at Huddersfield University and help build collaborations with other universities and external partners.

At the time of advertising, this role does not meet the minimum requirements set by UK Visas and Immigration to sponsor candidates to work in the UK. For this reason, we are unable to sponsor anyone for a skilled worker visa for this role.

We are happy to accept applications from candidates who can prove their right to work in the UK or via alternative visa routes. Such applications will be considered alongside all other applications.

Main duties of the job

As a Senior Clinical Research Officer you will have a wealth of NHS research experience and good knowledge of the NIHRs function. You will be responsible for supporting the operational research team with scoping new studies, maintaining, expanding and delivering non-commercial and commercial portfolio research.

As an experienced researcher you will be required to provide regular supervision of Clinical Research Officers, Clinical Trials Assistants and other less experienced members of the research team. On a daily basis youll use EDGE, Microsoft Word, EXCEL and Outlook. The role also requires an excellent understanding of NHS clinical systems and the ability to navigate these successfully; requesting information/data reports and engaging with our comms team. Your experience of working with individuals with mental health challenges, families, carers and clinical teams and pharmacy is your cornerstone to setting up and delivering successful studies.

Your ability to communicate with service users, clinical staff and managers is also essential. There is a requirement attend and contribute to clinical and research team meetings. In addition to setting up and organising your own meeting schedules there will also be opportunity to deputise meetings for the Operational Lead. The role also provides a good opportunity to develop your leadership skills and proficiency of the management of multiple tasks.

Your primary base will be at Fieldhead Hospital, Wakefield.

About us

We are a specialist NHS Foundation Trust that provides community, mental health and learning disability services for the people of Barnsley, Calderdale, Kirklees and Wakefield. We also provide low and medium secure services and are the lead for the west Yorkshire secure provider collaborative.

Our mission is to help people reach their potential and live well in their communities, we do this by providing high-quality care in the right place at the right time. We employ staff in both clinical and non-clinical services who work hard to make a difference to the lives of service users, families and carers.

We encourage and welcome applications from all protected characteristic groups, we value diversity and want our workforce to be reflective of our communities.

Being a foundation Trust means were accountable to our members, who can have a say in how were run. Around 14,300 local people (including staff) are members of our Trust.

Join us and you will be one of over 4,500 staff committed to supporting and improving the mental, physical and social needs of the thousands of people we meet and help each year.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all colleagues and volunteers to share this commitment.

We do reserve to right to close vacancy before the advertised closing date if necessary, so please apply as soon as possible.

Details

• Date posted: 21 October 2026
• Pay scheme: Agenda for change
• Band: Band 6
• Salary: £39,959 to £48,117 a year
• Contract: Fixed term
• Duration: 11 months
• Working pattern: Full-time, Flexible working
• Reference number: C9378-QA01528
• Job locations: Block 9, Fieldhead Hospital, Ouchthorpe Lane, Wakefield, WF1 3SP, United Kingdom

Job responsibilities

BACKGROUND

The NHS constitution (2009) includes a pledge to the promotion and conduct of research to improve the current and future health and care of the population.

The Research and Development Department has the principle aim of increasing quality research activity which promotes a vibrant research culture within the Trust. This is achieved through delivering and facilitating high quality research, providing support and advice on research methodologies, supporting the generation of research income through external sources and fostering collaboration with other trusts, universities, research bodies and the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR)

The NIHR is funded through the Department of Health to improve the health and wealth of the nation through research. The NIHR Clinical Research Network (CRN) is the clinical research delivery arm of the NHS and there are 15 CRNs across England. The CRN host organisation for Yorkshire and Humber is Sheffield Teaching Hospital NHS Trust. The CRN is structured into research divisions and the post holder will work predominately on studies within the DeNDRoN, mental health and neurology division.

JOB SUMMARY

A temporary Senior Clinical Research Officer / Research Nurse (1 WTE) is required to work with clinicians and other specialists to manage and coordinate studies adopted onto the NIHR portfolio, these predominately being moderate to high risk Clinical Trials of Investigational Medicinal Products or Medical Devices. Adhering to Trust policies and procedures and the research protocol and ensuring support, care and safety of those involved in the trials.

Their main areas of work will focus on:

1. Assessing feasibility of potential new portfolio studies

2. Setting up new portfolio studies

3. Ensuring the first patient is recruited into the study by the target date

4. Ensuring the target number of patients are recruited into the study within the recruitment period.

5. Increasing the number of research active staff

6. Management of the clinical research officers

Travel across Trust sites and occasional out of hours working will be required.

KEY RESULT AREAS

1. Research Process

Each study will be at a different stage of the research process as detailed below. The key tasks of each stage are outlined in A-E below:

a) Feasibility and study set up

Link closely with Trust services to identify opportunities for new research

Assess the feasibility of new portfolio studies with the Principle Investigator by reviewing the protocol, assessing any resource implications and seeking specialist advice where required.

Liaise with the principal investigator and study team in order to ensure completion of local site specific information forms and the localising of participant documents.

Develop an appropriate recruitment plan to address potential recruitment barriers and to ensure patient awareness and any education needs are met, seeking advice from service users and carers in the Research Involvement Group where appropriate.

Organise project feasibility and site initiation meetings, staff training and co-ordinate any resource requirements, e.g. room bookings and equipment.

Calculate an achievable recruitment target for the study and set up

timelines which will ensure the first patient can be recruited by target date.

Work with Governance to undertake the costings for commercial research projects .

Circulate study information and deliver study presentations to promote the research locally.

b) Recruitment and screening

Meet regularly with the local Principal Investigator and other clinicians to identify eligible participants, increase study awareness, provide study information and updates, identify any areas of low recruitment and increase recruitment.

Screen potential study participants using, for example the study inclusion and exclusion criteria and Trust clinical system RiO.

Prepare invitation letters on behalf of clinicians.

Ensure study specific investigations and screening tools are undertaken as required by the protocol to establish eligibility and safety to enter the study.

Where required and appropriate to do so, be responsible for the safe administration of drugs during clinical trials.

Monitor participants condition throughout the trial, including monitoring the expected and unexpected side effects of drugs and other treatments administered during clinical trials.

Keep an accurate record of each participant screened and recruited into study (accrual) and ensure this is correctly mapped onto the research database(s) and communicated to the study accrual officer.

Make home visits or clinic visits in order to take informed consent and complete study specific data collection. Where patients lack capacity to consent, or there is doubt around capacity, ensure appropriate liaison with clinicians and compliance with appropriate legislation and guidance.

Respect patient confidentiality at all times and protect the confidentiality of any personal information.

c) Data collection and storage

Encourage retention of participants throughout the study by providing ongoing communication and support to participants and clinicians.

Complete follow up visits either in participant homes or clinics.

Be responsible, under the guidance of the Principal Investigator, for the collection, anonymisation, storage, organisation and transfer of project data.

Ensure the accuracy and completeness of data collected.

Collect and despatch biological samples e.g. saliva or blood, that may be required for the study, according to protocol (appropriate training can be provided).

Undertake study specific and routine assessment e.g. vital signs, ECG, height/weight measurements.

Administer payments to participants, keeping accurate logs and receipts to support accurate and timely invoicing.

Record and report any adverse events in accordance with the study protocol and ICH -Good Clinical Practice and EU Directives. Communicating with appropriate personnel and regulatory authorities within agreed timescales.

Conduct risk assessments as required by the study protocol/SOPs and in conjunction with Trust reporting requirements. Ensure prompt completion of any follow up actions, seeking guidance when required.

d) Management of the study

Ensure effective liaison with relevant staff, internal and external to ensure the smooth running of the study in accordance with the latest approved protocol, ICH-Good Clinical Practice and any study specific or R&D Standard Operating Procedures.

Maintain the study site file in accordance with ICH-Good Clinical Practice.

Review the impact of any study amendments and liaise with study team to ensure the amendment is implemented effectively.

Facilitate and prepare for audit/monitoring visits that may be conducted by R&D staff, study sponsor, contract research organisation or MHRA.

Adhere to ICH-Good Clinical Practice standards, the Research Governance Framework (DH 2005), national Regulatory requirements (Data Protection Act, Mental Capacity Act, Human Tissue Act, EU Directives) and Trust policy.

Ensure effective liaison with teams within the Trust, including, Information Governance, Medical Records, Clinical Governance, Practice Effectiveness, Training and Development, Patient Safety and Risk and Mental Health Act Office.

Maintain accurate study costs and liaise with finance to ensure timely and accurate invoices are raised and full study costs are recovered.

Ensure effective liaison with external research associated organisations including local CRN, Academic Health Science Network, Research Design Service, Clinical Trials Unit, Sponsor, Contract Research Organisation, University partners and Health Research Authority.

e) Study closedown and dissemination

Ensure appropriate archiving arrangements are developed and implemented for study files and patient clinical data.

When available, assist with local dissemination of study results to support participant feedback and service and practice development.

2. Communication, Training and Development

Ensure effective and prompt communication with the Principal Investigator, clinicians and R&D team of all issues and concerns relating to research activity and delegated project duties

Attend required national and regional meetings in relation to studies.

Promote awareness of clinical research and R&D involvement at events and meetings.

Build and maintain good rapport and trust with study participants in order to work sensitively on emotionally challenging topics for instance mental illness symptoms, suicidal ideation/self harm and physical illnesses.

Act as a contact point for all participants in clinical trials, providing advice, information and support in a timely manner.

Attend R&D team meetings and other appropriate Trust meetings as required

Undertake regular clinical and management supervision.

Complete all appropriate Trust training, CRN training and study specific training

Maintain own professional registration (where appropriate).

Take responsibility for developing and sustaining own knowledge, clinical skills and professional awareness as appropriate.

For full details of the role please see the supporting documents attached.