Research Nurse

Closing date: 17 August 2026

Job Summary
Due to the rapid expansion of our Cardiac Surgery research portfolio, we have an exciting opportunity for an experienced and enthusiastic cardiovascular nurse to join our Cardiac Surgery Research Team. Successful candidates will be involved in a range of clinical trials, involving mostly cardiac surgery patients. Experience in the speciality of cardiac surgery will therefore be essential. You will be working closely with a large multidisciplinary team, including clinical academics, university and commercial trial teams. Ability to engage supportively and effectively with patients and clinical staff will be essential in ensuring that our studies are well delivered and the standards of care of care for our study patients is exemplary.

Training and development will be a key focus in ensuring the successful candidate can develop their expertise in clinical research, within a supportive environment.

Seeing the patients safely through the trials offers lots of patient contact, but additionally the role provides the opportunity to be involved in many elements of the trials from study set up through to closure. This makes for a varied and interesting career choice. Excellent communication skills are essential as a key area of the job is to facilitate the informed consent process.

Main duties of the job

• Assist in the overall set up, organisation and delivery of clinical trials ensuring adherence to ICH-GCP standards within the Research Governance framework and adhering to other related regulations/SOPs.
• Work closely with other research team members, using clear lines of communication with the wider clinical care team and support departments to ensure each patients smooth and safe journey throughout the studies.
• Co-ordinate arrangements for patients participating in clinical trials, according to study protocols, and communicate all necessary information to relevant personnel.
• Work as a team to deliver on larger trials, with more independent working on a portfolio ofsmaller studies.
• Work closely with Trial Managers, Investigators and other members of the wider study team, to trouble shoot issues with trial conduct or blockages to recruitment and work together to resolve these issues.
• Provide guidance and support for junior team members for staff, ensuring that they are fully trained and aware of their roles and responsibilities.
• Assist the manager in the day-to-day management of research delivery, deputises in their absence.
• Assist themanager and senior team in the strategic planning and development of the team.

About us
Bristol NHS Foundation Trust brings together more than 28,000 staff to deliver over 160 clinical services across thirteen hospital locations, operating from three main sites at Southmead, Bristol city centre and Weston.

With an annual turnover of £2.3 billion, we are now one of the largest NHS trusts in the United Kingdom. Our hospitals are spread across Bristol and Weston, join us and you can enjoy the very best of both worlds; city living within a stone's throw of the countryside or beside the seaside, both with easy access to all that the South West has to offer.

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust values all people as individuals. As an equal opportunities employer actively working towards a diverse workforce we aim to recruit and retain a workforce which represents the rich diversity of the local population at all levels and are committed to designing our services around the needs of individual patients and those around them. Anonymous information will be used from your application in order to ensure we're meeting our pledge.

Details
Date posted: 03 August 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 6
Salary: £39,959 to £48,117 a year per annum, pro rata for part time roles
Contract: Fixed term
Duration: 12 months
Working pattern: Full-time, Part-time, Job share
Reference number: 387-SPS1418-HN
Job locations: Bristol Heart Institute, Terrell Street, Bristol, BS2 8ED, United Kingdom

Job responsibilities
For a more detailed job description including the main responsibilities and person specification, please refer to the job description document attached to this vacancy.

Person Specification
Knowledge and Experience
Essential

• Broad knowledge and experience of clinical nursing practice within an acute hospital environment within the speciality of cardiac surgery.
• Research experience
• Knowledge of the regulatory and legal frameworks related to undertaking clinical research
• Clinical, organisational and management experience
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office applications and willingness to develop computer skills further

Desirable

• Project management experience
• Knowledge of research design and methodology

Skills and abilities
Essential

• Advanced interpersonal and communication skills both verbal and non verbal
• Broad range of clinical nursing skills
• Evidence of good teamwork skills
• Budgetary/resource management skills
• Good report writing, a focus on accuracy and meticulous attention to detail
• Ability to work autonomously
• Interested in and willingness to participate in teaching programmes
• Ability to prioritise, ensuring effective and efficient workload completion

Aptitudes
Essential

• Ability to work flexibly according to role need
• Enthusiasm for and desire to embed research within clinical practice
• Proactive in professional development for self and others
• Personal focus on the 6 Cs: Care, Compassion, Courage, Commitment, Competence & Communication

Desirable

• Ability to gain influence and motivate people

Qualifications and training
Essential

• Registered Nurse level 1 with current NMC registration
• Evidence of continuing professional development

Desirable

• Undergraduate degree in Nursing, Science or Health related discipline
• Post graduate qualification in research
• Teaching qualification

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration 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. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants.

UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website.

Employer details
Employer name: Bristol NHS Foundation Trust
Address: Bristol Heart Institute, Terrell Street, Bristol, BS2 8ED, United Kingdom
Employer's website: Apply through our website

Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact: Research Sister Esther Bonnick
Email: View email address on meeveem.com
Telephone: View phone number on meeveem.com