Job Overview
An exceptional opportunity awaits experienced and motivated Nurses and Allied Health Professionals seeking to advance their careers in the United Kingdom. University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust is offering a Band 6 Senior Research Nurse/Practitioner position with Certificate of Sponsorship, making this an ideal role for international healthcare professionals looking to relocate to the UK. Join our dynamic Neurology and Rheumatology Research Team and contribute to groundbreaking clinical trials while enjoying the benefits of working within the prestigious NHS system.
Position Details
Job Title: Senior Research Nurse/Practitioner
Employer: University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust
Location: Research Office, Level 2 MSCP, Bircham Park, 1 Roscoff Rise, Derriford, Plymouth PL5 6FP
Salary: £38,682 to £46,580 per annum (Band 6)
Contract Type: Fixed Term (12 months)
Working Pattern: Full-time
Reference Number: 216-SI-A7401363
Application Deadline: 22 September 2025
Visa Sponsorship Information
University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust is pleased to offer Certificate of Sponsorship for qualified international candidates. This represents an outstanding opportunity for healthcare professionals worldwide to establish their career in the UK’s renowned National Health Service. The Trust welcomes applications from job seekers requiring current Skilled Worker sponsorship and will consider these alongside all other applications.
About the Role
The Neurology and Rheumatology Research Team seeks a dedicated Band 6 Nurse or Allied Health Professional to join our innovative research department. Our team provides exceptional care for participants involved in studies and clinical trials focusing on Inflammatory Rheumatological conditions, Degenerative Neurological conditions, and Benign Tumours of the Nervous System. This role offers the unique opportunity to work at the forefront of medical research while developing specialized clinical skills.
Main Duties and Responsibilities
Leadership Responsibilities
The successful candidate will provide specialist knowledge, skills, and experience within clinical research, acting as a resource to advise and support those involved in clinical trials at all levels. You will autonomously plan, implement, organize, and manage concurrent research projects while developing networks with Multidisciplinary Teams across the Trust and other appropriate local and national agencies.
Research Delivery
You will take a leading role in delivering a clinical trial portfolio relevant to the specialty, ensuring a balanced portfolio of studies. Responsibilities include ensuring study delivery meets requirements regarding the Department of Health’s Research Governance Framework and EU Clinical Trials Directive, participating in Good Clinical Practice (GCP) training, and managing the Expression of Interest/Study Selection process.
Clinical and Professional Duties
The position requires taking a leading role in the care of research participants within your sphere of competence, providing relevant health promotion and education. You will use clinical knowledge to screen and identify patients for clinical research using inclusion and exclusion criteria, utilizing NHS records, screening clinics, and Trust IT systems and databases.
Essential Qualifications and Experience
Essential Qualifications
Registered Nurse or Healthcare Professional currently registered with UK regulatory body NMC/HPC. Must possess knowledge of the Research Governance Framework and Good Clinical Practice Guidelines. Mentorship experience/qualification and proven Management/Leadership experience or qualification are required.
Essential Experience
Broad and recent clinical experience relevant to the post, proven experience of managing teams, pertinent clinical skills, IT skills including ability to work with databases, ability to organize and prioritize own workload and work to tight deadlines, ability to make independent decisions, and critical appraisal skills.
Desirable Qualifications and Experience
Research methodology training; Higher degree/study of research design/methodology in clinical or social care setting or equivalent. Teaching qualification/experience; Research Training (e.g., GCP, degree module, or other including informed consent). Good leadership skills and proven managerial ability, Line Management experience within the NHS, experience of delivering commercial and academic research, experience of clinical research within the NHS setting, proven record of meeting participant recruitment targets, in-depth knowledge of clinical trials and research methodologies, and in-depth knowledge of data collection and data entry for clinical trials.
About University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust
We are a people business where every member of staff matters and can make a difference. Patients are at the heart of everything we do. Joining University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust means becoming part of a team of dedicated staff committed to leading the way through innovation, clinical excellence, and great customer care. The Trust offers excellent opportunities for career development in a highly progressive working environment, located in a vibrant, modern city with a historic reputation for adventure.
Application Process
All applications must be submitted through the NHS Jobs website. Please note that all communication will be electronic, so please check your email account regularly. If you have any issues with applying online and need additional support including reasonable adjustments with the application process, please contact the recruitment manager for this post who will put you in touch with the recruitment team.
Work-Life Balance and Flexible Working
We recognize that work-life balance is important for our colleagues and invite requests from applicants around less than full-time/flexible working for our advertised roles. Please contact the recruiting manager to discuss this prior to your application submission. We commit to giving this full consideration in each case.
Diversity and Inclusion
We encourage people from diverse backgrounds to apply for our roles, as diversity strengthens our teams. The Trust is a Disability Confident Employer, demonstrating our commitment to employing people with disabilities and health conditions.
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 Professional Registration Requirements
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see the NHS Careers website. From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants applying for entry clearance into the UK have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years.
Informal Visits and Further Information
We welcome informal visits to the department. For further information about the role and the team, please contact Abi Patrick, Specialist Research Practitioner, at [email protected] or call 01752 439636.
Preference Policy
Preference will be given to internal Trust staff, as well as ‘Priority’ and ‘At Risk’ status including NHS At Risk staff throughout Devon who are able to display recent relevant experience as dictated by the Person Specification.
Application Timeline
The position was posted on 20 August 2025, with a closing date of 22 September 2025. It is sometimes necessary to close vacancies before the closing date. If you have not heard from us within 4 weeks of the closing date, please assume that you have not been shortlisted.
Why Choose This Opportunity?
This position offers international healthcare professionals a unique pathway to build a career in the UK’s world-renowned healthcare system. With Certificate of Sponsorship available, comprehensive support for relocation, and the opportunity to work in cutting-edge clinical research, this role represents an exceptional chance to develop both professionally and personally while contributing to meaningful medical advancements.
Career Development Opportunities
The Trust has great opportunities for career development in a highly progressive working environment. You will have access to ongoing training, professional development programs, and the chance to work with leading experts in neurology and rheumatology research.
Living and Working in Plymouth
Plymouth offers a fantastic quality of life with its coastal location, rich maritime history, and vibrant cultural scene. As a major city in Devon, it provides excellent amenities, educational institutions, and transportation links while maintaining a friendly community atmosphere.
How to Prepare Your Application
When applying, ensure your application clearly demonstrates how you meet the essential and desirable criteria outlined in the person specification. Highlight your research experience, clinical skills, and leadership capabilities. International applicants should clearly indicate their need for sponsorship and provide details of their current registration status with their home country’s regulatory body.
Next Steps
If you meet the essential qualifications and are seeking an exciting opportunity to develop your research career in the UK with visa sponsorship, we encourage you to apply through the NHS Jobs website before the closing date of 22 September 2025. Take the first step toward an rewarding international career in healthcare research with University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust.
