Lead Research Nurse/Practitioner

Job summary
Shape the Future of Research. Transform Patient Care.

We are seeking an exceptional and inspiring research leader to join Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust as our Lead Research Nurse/Practitioner.

This is a pivotal senior leadership role responsible for leading and developing our clinical research workforce, ensuring the successful delivery of an extensive and diverse portfolio of over four hundred clinical studies across multiple specialties. You will provide strategic leadership to a workforce of approximately 110 research delivery staff and oversee a workforce budget of around £4 million.

Main duties of the job
For more detail about the main duties of this role, please see the job description section below. As a key member of the Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, you will be joining an exceptional team working together to help our patients to stay healthy, when they need it most.

About us
Stretching across Northern, Eastern and Mid Devon, we have a workforce of over 15,000 staff, making us the largest employer in Devon. Our core services, which we provide to more than 615,000 people, cover more than 2,000 square miles across Devon, while some of our specialist services cover the whole of the peninsula, extending our reach as far as Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.

We deliver a wide range of emergency, specialist and general medical services through North Devon District Hospital and the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital (Wonford).

Alongside our two acute hospitals, we provide integrated health and social care services across a variety of settings, including community inpatient hospitals, outpatient clinics, and within peoples own homes. We also offer primary care services, a range of specialist community services, and Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARC).

Our state-of-the-art equipment, leading technologies and strong links to local universities put us at the forefront of research and innovations, enabling us to provide world-class care to our local communities.

Its never been a more exciting time to join the Royal Devon, as youll help to shape our services as we continue along our integration journey.

Details
Date posted: 07 August 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 8b
Salary: £66,582 to £77,368 a year per annum pro rata
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time
Reference number: 185-12582-13887
Job locations: Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, Exeter, Devon, EX2 5DW, United Kingdom

Job description
Job responsibilities
For more information on the Job Description and Responsibilities please click the link below.

More detail about the role
Working closely with the Director of Research & Development, R&D Operations Director and senior clinical leaders, you will play a key role in driving innovation, expanding research capacity and ensuring our patients have access to cutting-edge clinical trials that improve outcomes and shape the future of healthcare.

About the Role
As the Trust's Lead Research Nurse/Practitioner, you will provide professional, managerial and strategic leadership for clinical research delivery across all Royal Devon sites.

You will:

• Lead and inspire a large multidisciplinary clinical research workforce.
• Develop and implement strategies to expand early and late-phase clinical research activity.
• Ensure the safe, effective and compliant delivery of commercial and non-commercial research studies.
• Promote excellence in research nursing, education, innovation and patient-centred care.
• Provide expert advice and support to Chief Investigators, Principal Investigators and research teams.
• Oversee performance management, workforce planning, governance, quality assurance and financial management.
• Build strong partnerships across the Trust, the NIHR Research Delivery Network, academic partners and external sponsors.
• Champion a culture of continuous improvement, learning and research excellence.

The successful candidate will also represent the Trust within regional and national research networks and contribute to the development of research strategy and delivery across the wider health and care system.

About You
We are looking for a dynamic, credible and influential leader who is passionate about research and improving patient outcomes through innovation and evidence-based practice.

You will be:

• A Registered Nurse or Registered Healthcare Professional.
• Degree qualified in a relevant healthcare discipline.
• An experienced leader with significant NHS clinical research experience.
• Knowledgeable in research governance, Good Clinical Practice (GCP) and clinical trial delivery.
• Experienced in managing large teams, complex services and substantial budgets.
• A skilled communicator with the ability to influence, motivate and inspire others.
• Strategically minded, with the ability to develop services and drive performance improvements.
• Committed to developing and supporting staff to achieve their full potential.

Essential Experience and Knowledge
Extensive experience of clinical research delivery within the NHS.

Significant leadership and line management experience.

In-depth understanding of clinical trials, research methodologies and research governance.

Strong knowledge of NIHR portfolio management and research performance metrics.

Experience delivering commercial and academic research studies.

Budget management and resource planning experience.

Excellent analytical, organisational and stakeholder management skills.

Why Join Royal Devon?
At Royal Devon, research is central to our vision of delivering exceptional care. We are one of the largest research-active NHS organisations in the South West, offering patients access to innovative treatments and opportunities to participate in world-leading research.

This role offers the opportunity to:

• Lead one of the region's largest clinical research delivery teams.
• Influence the strategic direction of research across the Trust.
• Collaborate with leading clinicians, academics and national research organisations.
• Drive service innovation and transformation.
• Make a lasting difference to patients, staff and healthcare delivery.

Join us and help shape the future of healthcare research across Devon and beyond.

Working Pattern: Monday - Friday 09:00 - 17:00
Interview Date: To be confirmed
For further information please contact: Michelle Treglown, Executive and Specialist Recruitment Resourcer - View email address on meeveem.com or call View phone number on meeveem.com

As an inclusive employer, the Royal Devon values diversity and is committed to creating a culture of inclusivity where everyone can be themselves and reach their full potential. We believe in fostering a sense of belonging and actively encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, cultures, and abilities. We recognise the advantages of having a diverse workforce that reflects the communities we serve.

Preference will be given to staff with Priority and 'At Risk' status including NHS At Risk staff throughout Devon.

The Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust reserves the right to close vacancy when sufficient applications have been received.

The Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust was established in April 2022, bringing together the expertise of both the Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust and Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust.

Benefits
We will work together to maintain a culture that develops and supports you and your team.

This might include funding for a care certificate, a degree or leadership qualifications. Or it might include days off to study, engage in CPD or rotational placements to help you hone your skills. Wherever you are heading in the NHS, we'll help you get there.

Looking after you is important to us.
We strive to help our staff create a healthy work-life balance through flexible working schemes and our family friendly policies.

If you're starting out in the NHS, you'll start with 27 days paid annual leave (plus bank holidays), rising to 33 days plus bank holidays.

You'll benefit from access to our own comprehensive occupational health services, including counselling, onsite wellbeing activities and groups.

Salary is not the only financial benefit
You'll have access to an extensive range of staff discounts on shopping, fitness and leisure options and you can spread the cost of technology and home appliance purchases from major retailers.

You will also have access to other benefits including:

• National discount services such as the Blue Light Card and Health Service Discounts.
• Salary sacrifice options including our OFSTED rated outstanding nursery onsite at Exeter
• Car lease schemes.
• The NHS Pension scheme (one of the most generous and comprehensive in the UK).
• Cycle to work scheme

These are just a few of the benefits available if the role is something you are interested in, we'd love to hear from you.

Person Specification
General Requirements
Essential

• See job description text above, and (where applicable) you can download a copy of the full job description

Desirable

• See job description text above, and (where applicable) you can download a copy of the full job description

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: Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
Address: Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, Exeter, Devon, EX2 5DW, United Kingdom
Employer's website: Apply through our website

Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact:
Recruiter
Royal Devon NHS Recruitment Team
View email address on meeveem.com
View phone number on meeveem.com