Team Leader - Senior Research Nurse | University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Posting date:	12 February 2026
Salary:	Not specified
Additional salary information:	£56,276 - £63,176 Per annum inclusive of HCAS
Hours:	Full time
Closing date:	14 March 2026
Location:	London, NW1 2PG
Company:	University College London Hospital
Job type:	Contract
Job reference:	7806233/309-UCLH-7473

Summary

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Clinical Research Nurse in the Rheumatology Research Department at University College London Hospital as Team Leader for the Clinical Research Team. This post would be ideally suited for someone with experience of leading research teams and working with adolescents and adults in the NHS. It is a full time position 37.5 hours a week until 31/03/2025 in the first instance.

This role is embedded in the Medical Specialties Division, within the Medicine Board in the Rheumatology department across adult and adolescent rheumatology services. The Rheumatology Research Department works on a portfolio of University College London Hospital (UCLH) sponsored and hosted studies. We recruit to studies for adult and adolescent patients with inflammatory conditions. You will lead on several projects and support colleagues on others. Current studies include interventional trials of medicinal products (Phase I to IV) and observational projects.



The successful candidate will work closely with clinicians and academics in a close-knit team of research nurses and coordinators. They will be expected to develop their clinical skills.

This is a varied role suitable for a highly proficient worker with great communication skills who enjoys working across multiple projects in a collaborative manner. Candidates should be proficient computer users and have an interest in clinical research and rheumatology.

University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (UCLH) is one of the most complex NHS trusts in the UK, serving a large and diverse population. We provide academically led acute and specialist services, to people from the local area, from throughout the United Kingdom and overseas. Our vision is to deliver top-quality patient care, excellent education, and world-class research.


We provide first-class acute and specialist services across eight sites:

• University College Hospital (incorporating the Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Wing)

• National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery

• Royal National ENT and Eastman Dental Hospitals

• University College Hospital Grafton Way Building

• Royal London Hospital for Integrated Medicine

• University College Hospital Macmillan Cancer Centre

• The Hospital for Tropical Diseases

• University College Hospital at Westmoreland Street


We are dedicated to the diagnosis and treatment of many complex illnesses. UCLH specialises in women’s health and the treatment of cancer, infection, neurological,gastrointestinaland oral disease. It has world class support services including critical care, imaging, nuclearmedicineand pathology.


We are committed to sustainability and have pledged to become a carbon net zero health service, embedding sustainable practice throughout UCLH. We have set an ambitious target of net zero for our direct emissions by 2031 and indirect emissions by 2040.





For the full Person Specification and more information regarding the main responsibilities of this role, please refer to the attached Job Description.

The Team leader will work autonomously to support the running of clinical trials and observational studies across an identified area.

The role will entail clinical and management/leadership responsibilities, the ratio will be determined by the needs of the service and will fluctuate as the portfolio evolves.

• To provide line management to staff members in the research delivery workforce, including, but not limited to, Research Nurses, Clinical Trial Practitioners and Research Coordinators.

• To recruit patients into clinical trials as per Good Clinical Practice (GCP)

• To design and deliver training to all members of the team as required

• To lead of projects as directed Rheumatology Clinical Research Lead

• Maintain health, safety and security of self and others in own work area through ensuring own and others’ knowledge of relevant local / national policies and procedures, and that these are adhered to



· Work according to the Good Clinical Practice and relevant professional standards and guidelines

· Promote peoples’ equity, diversity and rights, through ensuring that own and others’ practice is in the best interests of patients

· Develop own knowledge and expertise within the speciality / research field

· Refer to other health professionals when this will improve health outcomes or when risks and needs are beyond own competence and scope of practice

· Support patients in the delivery of care and meeting their health and wellbeing needs by providing advice and information, promoting their wishes and beliefs and addressing their concerns

· Monitor and review the effectiveness of interventions with the patient and colleagues and modify this to meet changing needs and established goals

· Facilitate recruitment of patients into studies.

· Management of Investigator Site Files and relevant trial documentation.

· Completion of relevant patient-related study documentation and maintenance of study related electronic records.

· Ensuring contractual local and national regulatory authority obligations are observed.

· Provide administrative support related to the interventional and cohort studies

· Report recruitment metrics as required and resolve data queries

· Cross support the Centre support team for key activities and events, including Centre meetings, PPIE events, International scientific panel (ISP) visits, Symposium, and funder inspections and visits

· The successful candidate will be strongly encouraged to develop phlebotomy skills.



EDUCATION AND RESEARCH

· Assist with or lead (as appropriate) the assessment, development, implementation and evaluation of clinical research studies, and the setting of standards of practice

· Assist with or lead (as appropriate) patient recruitment and day to day management / organisation of clinical trials and studies, to include: patient assessment, data collection and database management, blood sample collection and sample processing, monitoring of adverse reactions and compliance

· Assist with data entry on to clinical trial data bases

· Have an up to date working knowledge of governing research legislation

· Ensure the specific study protocols and procedures are adhered to in accordance with local practice and Good Clinical Practice Guidelines (GCP)

· Participate in audit programmes and identify areas of potential research relating to the speciality

· Identify own developmental needs and establish objectives for personal development

· Take part in reflection and appropriate learning from practice, in order to maintain and develop competence and performance



QUALITY ASSURANCE

· Assist with external audit and regulatory inspection of studies, as well as routine internal audits of processes

· Contribute to the creation and maintenance of Standard Operating Procedures

· Ensure strict adherence to research protocols, including specific requirements for blood sample collection and processing, all trial assessments, adverse event recording, and accurate and legible documentation including all source data and medical record scripts.

· To ensure that the correct version of the trial protocol and all other study documents are used at all times.

· Direct and support nurses on the application of and adherence to QA processes, in order to maintain regulatory compliance across all clinical research services.

CONSULTANCY/COLLABORATION

· Provide advice and support to the multi disciplinary team both internally and externally regarding patients and research studies

· Contribute to effective communication between trial centres, sponsors and investigator sites nationally and internationally as required

· Promote effective communication with study participants regarding study protocol, patient information sheets and consenting procedures and abide by ICH/GCP research practice

· Ensure that appropriate information is disseminated within the speciality, the organisation and within external agencies and forums

· Disseminate study data, research outcomes and specialist knowledge via poster presentations, written publication and other media as appropriate at local, national and international conferences

LEADERSHIP / MANAGEMENT

· Develop effective planning, organising, problem-solving and prioritisation skills

· Manage own workload effectively through developing project and time management skills

· Responsible for the management of a caseload, including liaison, where appropriate, with other agencies and the provision of specialist advice within this clinical area

· Assist with training junior staff members

· Negotiate and agree with individuals, groups and other practitioners, outcomes, roles and responsibilities and action to be taken to develop resources, services and facilities

· Maintain appropriate channels and styles of communication to meet the needs of patients, relatives and carers, managers, peers and other professions / agencies.

· Develop and use effective decision-making skills and evaluate the process and results

· Liaise with sponsor companies, Research & Development Department (R&D) and Local Research Ethics Committee (LREC) where appropriate

· Responsible and accountable for resource issues directly related to the research studies as delegated

· Liaise with Divisional and related departments (i.e. pharmacy and laboratories) as appropriate

· Ensure adequate study supplies are maintained; order further stocks/supplies as required

· Contribute to local, national and international research nurse/Clinical Trials Practitioner networks to exchange and enhance knowledge and expertise

· Participate in a peer network of support, information and learning with other research nurses/Clinical Trials Practitioner at UCLH



GENERAL

· Adhere to the UCLH Service Commitment "Putting Patients First" and adopt a professional approach to customer care at all times.

· Comply with the Trust’s Equal Opportunities Policy and treat staff, patients, colleagues and potential employees with dignity and respect at all times.

· Take personal responsibility for promoting a safe environment and safe patient care by identifying areas of risk and following the Incident, Serious Incidents and Near Misses reporting policy and procedure.

· Take personal responsibility for ensuring that UCLH resources are used efficiently and with minimum wastage, and to comply with the Trust's Standing Financial Instructions (SFIs).

· Comply with Trust policies for personal and patient safety and for prevention of healthcare-associated infection (HCAI); this includes a requirement for rigorous and consistent compliance with Trust policies for hand hygiene, use of personal protective equipment and safe disposal of sharps.



· In accordance with the Trust's responsibilities under the Civil Contingencies Act 2004 to undertake work and alternative duties as reasonably directed at variable locations in the event of and for the duration of a significant internal incident, major incident or pandemic.



Be aware of and adhere to all Trust policies and procedures, the Health and Safety at Work Act and the Data Protection Act.

· Maintain confidentiality at all times



OTHER

· These guidelines are provided to assist in the performance of the contract but are not a condition of the contract. The job description is not intended to be exhaustive and it is likely that duties may be altered from time to time in the light of changing circumstances and after consultation with the post holder.

· All staff will be regularly assessed on their knowledge, skills and behaviour, and application of all aspects of the job description, in line with the Trust’s Personal Development Review (PDR) process.

· Staff will also be expected to abide by the relevant code of professional practice relating to their discipline.


Come and be a part of the best NHS trust in England to work for, according to our staff*


* UCLH top trust to work at in England - In the most recent NHS staff survey UCLH had the highest percentage of staff who said they would recommend us as a place to work, out of all general acute or acute/community NHS trusts in England – for the third year in a row.


UCLH recognises the benefits of flexible working for staff – To find out more, visit: Flexible working. 


To discover more about what makes UCLH a great place to work, visit: Why Choose UCLH?



This advert closes on Thursday 26 Feb 2026

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