[ref. j71200817] Senior Lead Research Nurse - London
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Job overview
Are you passionate about pioneering research and shaping the future of Parkinson’s and movement disorders care? Join us at the UCL Queen Square Movement Disorders Centre as a Senior Lead Research Nurse. In this vital leadership role, you’ll coordinate clinical trials, research registry, observational study and Patient and public involvement and engagement.An excellent opportunity to manage a dynamic research team at a world-renowned Movement Disorders centre. You'll play a key role in supporting principle investigators in groundbreaking investigations into neurodegenerative diseases while ensuring compassionate, patient-centred care.
Ideal for an experienced Parkinsons research nurse with a strong background in clinical research, this role offers the opportunity to influence innovative treatment pathways, engage with multidisciplinary teams, and contribute to internationally recognised studies.
If you're ready to lead, inspire, and advance research in a supportive and forward-thinking environment, we want to hear from you.
Main duties of the job- Coordinate a portfolio of early and late phase, national and international clinical trials in Parkinson’s and movement disorders.
- Lead and manage a multidisciplinary research team, including Band 6 and 7 staff and research assistants.
- Oversee patient recruitment, informed consent, and the delivery of high-quality, patient-centred care during clinical trials.
- Collaborate closely with investigators, clinical teams, sponsors, and service departments (e.g. imaging, pharmacy, nuclear medicine).
- Ensure all research activities are conducted in line with GCP, regulatory guidelines, and local SOPs.
- Administer clinical rating scales to trial participants, including MDS-UPDRS, MOCA, CSSR, anxiety and depression scales, and other relevant Parkinson’s assessment tools.
- Experienced in collecting skin biopsy samples and handling biological samples including blood, urine, saliva, and stool, in accordance with study protocols.
- Monitor trial progress, manage resources, and support clinical and operational delivery of studies.
- Provide clear, compassionate communication and education to patients and their families about study participation.
- Support Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement (PPIE) events and develop educational materials for participants.
- Maintain high standards of documentation, data accuracy, and protocol adherence across all studies.
- Act as a key liaison between the research team, NHS Trust departments, and external stakeholders.
Working for our organisation
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 Throat, Nose and Ear Hospital
- Eastman Dental Hospital
- Royal London Hospital for Integrated Medicine
- University College Hospital Macmillan Cancer Centre
- The Hospital for Tropical Diseases
- University College Hospitals 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, gastrointestinal and oral disease. It has world class support services including critical care, imaging, nuclear medicine and 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
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
For the full Person Specification and more information regarding the main responsibilities of this role, please refer to the attached Job Description.
This vacancy may close before the current listed closing date. You are advised not to delay submitting your completed application.
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 – for the second year running! : University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
- 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 second year in a row.
Once again, UCLH has received the highest score of all general acute and acute/community NHS trusts in England for staff that would recommend us as a place to work.
To discover more about what makes UCLH a great place to work, visit: Why Choose UCLH?
Person specification
Knowledge and Qualifications
Essential criteria- Registered Nurse Part 1, 2, 12
- GCP
- MDS – UPDRS certificate with sufficient rater experience for clinical trials
Experience
Essential criteria- Significant period of post registration nursing experience.
- Experience of working with neurology and neurodegenerative patients
- Demonstrates significant experience working in Parkinson’s and Movement Disorders Clinical Trials.
- Experience in facilitating PPI events.
- Experience of formal/ informal teaching of patients and staff
- Demonstrates significant experience in administering MOCA, CSSR and other neurological rating scale
- Proven sufficient experience in handling out of hours emergency calls for trial patients.
- Experience of phlebotomy, cannulation, and management of central lines
- Experience of administration of investigational drugs
Skills and Abilities
Essential criteria- Demonstrates ability to take charge and delegate duties.
- Demonstrates evidence of professional development.
- Proven knowledge of ICH GCP guidelines.
- Proven ability to communicate effectively verbally.
- Proven ability to work effectively under pressure.
- Computer literacy.
Communication
Essential criteria- Able to communicate accurately and effectively with patients and colleagues, verbally and in writing.
- Able to deal with the public in person and on the phone.
- Able to support and reassure patients/carers in distress.
- Understands importance of maintaining confidentiality.
At UCLH, we have a real ‘One Team’ ethos, and our values – safety, kindness, teamwork and improving, are central to the way we work. This is supported by our staff, who voted us as the #1 NHS Acute Trust to work for in the whole of England.
At UCLH we take equality of opportunity seriously and are committed to being a diverse and inclusive employer, with a culture that creates a real sense of belonging and trust. It is our fundamental aim, to recruit, retain and promote a diverse mix of people who are representative of our local communities.Applications are encouraged from candidates of all backgrounds, cultures, and perspectives to support our world class research, innovation and creativity.
UCLH recognises the benefits of flexible working for staff and has a dedicated policy which allows staff to apply for flexible working right from the beginning of employment. For more information please go to: https://www.uclh.nhs.uk/work-with-us/why-choose-uclh/flexible-working.
We offer our permanent staff an interest free season ticket loan for travel, all our staff have access to free independent and confidential support, large retail discounts, a staff discount platform, cycle to work scheme and on-site accommodation to name a few.
Additionally, UCLH Arts and Heritage’s staff wellbeing programme, Creative Comfort, offers a variety of ways to engage with the arts as a member of UCLH staff. You can try out the weekly choir, weekly art club and join the Culture Club for exclusive access to free and discounted tickets for opera, exhibitions, theatre and more.
We recognise, reward and thank colleagues by nominating them for our annual Celebrating Excellence Awards, which are funded by UCLH Charity.
We are also members of www.mytrustbenefits.co.uk/ which offers discounts on high street retail stores, offers on travel deals, and also to take advantage of cash back schemes.
This vacancy may close before the current listed closing date. You are advised not to delay submitting your completed application.
Please note that all correspondence regarding your application will be via email. The emails will be sent to you via TRAC.jobs and not via NHS Jobs, we encourage you to check your inbox regularly.
Please note that if you are at present in a training position on the 2016 new junior doctor’s contract and are applying for a Trust doctor role your salary will not be pay protected.
You will be placed on the appropriate point of the Trust Doctor pay scale based on your previous experience.
Please note that if you have not heard from us within 3 weeks of the closing date of the advert to assume that you have not been shortlisted on this occasion.
The Trust uses electronic new starter forms on Trac to collect personal details. Information collected is securely stored and used to set up the employee record on the ESR HR system.