About this role
Job summary
The focus for this role is to lead the delivery of National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Research Delivery Network (RDN) Portfolio studies across varied health and care settings. This will require flexible working across disciplines and the Regional RDN (RRDN) region and will involve the correct identification, recruitment, delivery and follow up for research participants according to the appropriate research protocols.
Internal applicants currently employed by ESNEFT will be offered on a secondment basis only.
PROVISIONAL INTERVIEW DATE: Week commencing 22nd June 2026.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will be NMC Registered Nurse. They will need interpersonal and leadership skills to facilitate collaborative working relationships across a breadth of stakeholders. This post may contribute to line management for and leadership of a team of research delivery staff working autonomously in a variety of specialties and settings.
The role will work alongside different professions from multiple organisations involved in health and care research and will be an integral part of the Agile Research Delivery Team which sits within the RRDN core team. The post holder will be accountable to the Agile Research Delivery Team Manager.
About us
We are ESNEFT and we provide hospital and community health services to almost one million people across east Suffolk and north Essex. Our dedicated staff deliver care from acute hospitals in Colchester and Ipswich, community hospitals, surgeries, community clinics and in patients' own homes.
We are one of the largest NHS organisations in England, employing more than 12,000 staff.
We pride ourselves on supporting our staff. We offer a wide range of training and development opportunities, as well as flexible working options.
Along with supporting you to achieve your career goals we offer a generous pension scheme, unsocial hours payments (where applicable), 27 days annual leave on commencement (pro rata) and access to a range of NHS discounts. Our Staff Health and Wellbeing programme offer a variety of services.
Our philosophy is that Time Matters to everyone. Across the Trust, we concentrate on improving the things we do and removing those which cause time delays for our staff and patients.
We are investing in our commitment to Time Matters with a partnership with leading electronic patient record (EPR) supplier Epic. This digital transformation will bring what's widely regarded as the world's best EPR system to ESNEFT, transforming life in hospital for staff and patients.
If you are passionate about patient care and want to develop your skills and knowledge, then we want to hear from you.
Find out about living and working here - www.youtube.com/watch?v=GkPu7HphU8A
Job description Job responsibilities
For full details of the responsibilities and duties of this role please see the attached job description.
Person Specification
Knowledge Essential
Knowledge and understanding of evidence-based practice. 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. Understanding and ability to apply clinical governance principles to practice. Knowledge of developments in specialty and current issues driving nursing in general. 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.
Desirable
Understanding of legal and ethical requirements relating to patients, staff and research conduct.
Experience Essential
Extensive years nursing experience. Band 5 research experience and/or leadership management experience in a healthcare setting.
Desirable
CTIMP experience Sample preparation and transportation Acute care experience
Qualifications Essential
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. Current NMC registration level 2 and above. Evidence of continuing professional development
Desirable
Relevant teaching and mentoring experience Good Clinical Practice Training Has completed or is undertaking a course in management / leadership.
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.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Employer details Employer name East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust
Address Ipswich Hospital
Heath Road
Ipswich
IP4 5PD
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.esneft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)