Job summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen within the Research Team at Cambridgeshire Community Service (CCS) NHS Trust. We are looking for an enthusiastic and motivated Research Assistant, to support research activity and culture.
The post is fixed term until 31st March 2026
(Full time,/Job share/Flexible Working/Hybrid Working)
If we receive a high number of applications, we reserve the right to close this vacancy at any point after 19th June.
Main duties of the job
This fixed term post is to support the Trust Research Team in contributing to the facilitation of the adoption of research studies which are currently on the National Institute of Health Research (NIHR) portfolio into clinical areas throughout the Trust and in the support and promotion of other research opportunities including helping with the continuation of developing the research culture.
The aim of the role is primarily to support the research team to help clinical services to participate in all relevant NIHR Portfolio Studies, to support the development of the research culture and assist with the readiness of services to deliver Clinical Trials of Investigational Medicinal Products (CTIMPS). The post holder is also likely to collaborate with other academic institutions and research networks such as the Regional Research Delivery Network (RRDN EoE).
The applicant may be a newly qualified nurse or AHP or already working within a clinical area and wish to have more dedicated time to increasing and supporting the adoption of research within their specialism but must be able to also be part of the research team to help contribute to research activities outside of their clinical role.
About us
Rated 'Outstanding' by the Care Quality Commission, we are proud to provide high quality innovative services across most of the east of England that enable people to receive care closer to home and live healthier lives.
There's one reason why our services are outstanding - and that's our amazing staff who, for the seventh year running, rated us incredibly highly in the national staff survey.
If you share our passion for innovative and high-quality care delivery, then please submit your application and join us on our exciting journey as a leading-edge specialist community provider. All are welcome to apply and our promise to you is a culture which prioritises staff engagement and development.
Job description
Job responsibilities
You should ideally have experience of supporting clinical research delivery and undertaking research administration tasks, or be able to transfer your previously gained relevant skills and knowledge to the role. However, whilst this is preferred, full induction, training and mentoring will be provided.
You will work with CCS research team to support ongoing development of the research culture across the Trust. This may include supporting our clinical teams in identifying and recruiting patients, seeing the patient through the trial, performing study assessments, and ensuring data is reported accurately and on time.
You will work closely with a variety of healthcare professionals across the Trust so excellent communication skills are essential, as is attention to detail. It is essential that you can work autonomously and manage your own workload but also to work as part of a team.
The post holder may be asked to contribute to other Trust-wide projects or research work streams running.
The team works across a variety of clinical specialties within the Trust so you must be willing to be mobile and flexible in your working practices. The role will cover the whole of the Trusts geography, the base is to be confirmed, our headquarters is in St Ives and travel will be required.
For informal discussion or virtual face-to-face meetings (via Microsoft Teams) about the team and the post are available as required.
Job description
Job responsibilities
You should ideally have experience of supporting clinical research delivery and undertaking research administration tasks, or be able to transfer your previously gained relevant skills and knowledge to the role. However, whilst this is preferred, full induction, training and mentoring will be provided.
You will work with CCS research team to support ongoing development of the research culture across the Trust. This may include supporting our clinical teams in identifying and recruiting patients, seeing the patient through the trial, performing study assessments, and ensuring data is reported accurately and on time.
You will work closely with a variety of healthcare professionals across the Trust so excellent communication skills are essential, as is attention to detail. It is essential that you can work autonomously and manage your own workload but also to work as part of a team.
The post holder may be asked to contribute to other Trust-wide projects or research work streams running.
The team works across a variety of clinical specialties within the Trust so you must be willing to be mobile and flexible in your working practices. The role will cover the whole of the Trusts geography, the base is to be confirmed, our headquarters is in St Ives and travel will be required.
For informal discussion or virtual face-to-face meetings (via Microsoft Teams) about the team and the post are available as required.
Person Specification
Qualifications and Training
Essential
- A degree level education with a substantial research element or have relevant and recent specialist healthcare knowledge and experience to equivalent of degree level.
- Evidence of Continual Professional Development
Desirable
- Training in Research skills (literature searching, methodology, dissertation/report writing).
- If clinical, current clinical professional qualification and registered with a relevant regulatory body e.g. NMC or HCPC.
- Experience of working in Research within a healthcare service.
Experience
Essential
- Experience of undertaking/supporting clinical research.
- Experience of working in a patient/participant facing role with clinical duties
- Experience of working on interventional studies or complex/large scale observational studies
- Evidence of a high standard of ability in written work, dealing with complex and sensitive subjects and report writing.
- Experience of planning and managing a range of complex activities.
- Experience of clinical research, including ethical processes and health and safety
- Evidence of research dissemination
- An understanding of the needs of service users who may wish to be involved in research.
Desirable
- Project management experience.
- Experience of working within the principles of ICH Certificate in Good Clinical Practice.
- Experience with electronic case report forms (CRF) and computer packages
- Knowledge of NHS clinical research.
- Knowledge of Clinical Trial delivery (non-CTIMP & CTIMP).
- Knowledge of submitting commercial EOIs
Skills
Essential
- Excellent organisational skills for self and others - Ability to coordinate clinics and participant visits in conjunction with MDT
- Analysing and presenting complex data to a high standard in the form of written reports
- Ability to understand and comply with research protocols and departmental procedures, report difficulties and exceptions to senior staff
- Awareness of clinical governance processes
- To process and store biological samples to the requirements of the research protocol, ensuring that safe handling and quality is assured.
- Participate in continuous improvement and learning from experience to provide best practice.
Desirable
- Use of database systems e.g EDGE for registering/recruitment of patients onto research studies
- ODP
- Excellent negotiation and influencing skills.
Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people/vulnerable adults
Essential
- Demonstrates good understanding of safeguarding issues.
- Can demonstrate an ability to contribute towards a safe environment.
Working within Professional Boundaries
Essential
- Accepts responsibility and accountability for own work and can define the responsibilities of others.
- Recognises the limits of own authority within the role.
- Seeks and uses professional support appropriately.
Emotional Awareness
Essential
- Has an awareness of the range of emotions in self and others.
- Demonstrates empathy for the concerns of others.
- Has a range of mechanisms for dealing with stress, can recognise when to use them and does so.
Self-awareness
Essential
- Has a balanced understanding of self and others.
- Has a realistic knowledge of personal strengths and areas for development.
- Can demonstrate flexibility of approach.
Other
Essential
- Be assertive and professional.
- Have the ability to work independently with their own initiative and with minimal supervision.
- Has the ability to work under tight timescale targets.
- Be a team player with a flexible approach.
- Remains positive under pressure.
- Willingness and ability to travel across the Trust localities to participate in research studies, study set up, attend meetings, training events, etc.
- To work at all times according to Good Clinical Practice, Research Governance and Trust guidelines.
Person Specification
Qualifications and Training
Essential
- A degree level education with a substantial research element or have relevant and recent specialist healthcare knowledge and experience to equivalent of degree level.
- Evidence of Continual Professional Development
Desirable
- Training in Research skills (literature searching, methodology, dissertation/report writing).
- If clinical, current clinical professional qualification and registered with a relevant regulatory body e.g. NMC or HCPC.
- Experience of working in Research within a healthcare service.
Experience
Essential
- Experience of undertaking/supporting clinical research.
- Experience of working in a patient/participant facing role with clinical duties
- Experience of working on interventional studies or complex/large scale observational studies
- Evidence of a high standard of ability in written work, dealing with complex and sensitive subjects and report writing.
- Experience of planning and managing a range of complex activities.
- Experience of clinical research, including ethical processes and health and safety
- Evidence of research dissemination
- An understanding of the needs of service users who may wish to be involved in research.
Desirable
- Project management experience.
- Experience of working within the principles of ICH Certificate in Good Clinical Practice.
- Experience with electronic case report forms (CRF) and computer packages
- Knowledge of NHS clinical research.
- Knowledge of Clinical Trial delivery (non-CTIMP & CTIMP).
- Knowledge of submitting commercial EOIs
Skills
Essential
- Excellent organisational skills for self and others - Ability to coordinate clinics and participant visits in conjunction with MDT
- Analysing and presenting complex data to a high standard in the form of written reports
- Ability to understand and comply with research protocols and departmental procedures, report difficulties and exceptions to senior staff
- Awareness of clinical governance processes
- To process and store biological samples to the requirements of the research protocol, ensuring that safe handling and quality is assured.
- Participate in continuous improvement and learning from experience to provide best practice.
Desirable
- Use of database systems e.g EDGE for registering/recruitment of patients onto research studies
- ODP
- Excellent negotiation and influencing skills.
Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people/vulnerable adults
Essential
- Demonstrates good understanding of safeguarding issues.
- Can demonstrate an ability to contribute towards a safe environment.
Working within Professional Boundaries
Essential
- Accepts responsibility and accountability for own work and can define the responsibilities of others.
- Recognises the limits of own authority within the role.
- Seeks and uses professional support appropriately.
Emotional Awareness
Essential
- Has an awareness of the range of emotions in self and others.
- Demonstrates empathy for the concerns of others.
- Has a range of mechanisms for dealing with stress, can recognise when to use them and does so.
Self-awareness
Essential
- Has a balanced understanding of self and others.
- Has a realistic knowledge of personal strengths and areas for development.
- Can demonstrate flexibility of approach.
Other
Essential
- Be assertive and professional.
- Have the ability to work independently with their own initiative and with minimal supervision.
- Has the ability to work under tight timescale targets.
- Be a team player with a flexible approach.
- Remains positive under pressure.
- Willingness and ability to travel across the Trust localities to participate in research studies, study set up, attend meetings, training events, etc.
- To work at all times according to Good Clinical Practice, Research Governance and Trust guidelines.
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.
Employer details
Employer name
Cambridgeshire Community Services NHS Trust
Address
Cambridgeshire Community Services NHS Trust, The Meadows, St Ives (TBC, base to be discussed at interview)
The Meadows, (base to be discussed at interview)
St Ives, Cambridgeshire
PE27 4LG
Employer's website
https://www.cambscommunityservices.nhs.uk/careers (Opens in a new tab)
