Location
Kentish Town, London

Hours
Full Time (hours not specified)

Salary
£38,488 per annum

About the Role
The Clinical Research Assistant will support a range of research activities within the Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust. Duties will be allocated according to qualifications and experience and may include patient recruitment and retention in studies, attending multidisciplinary team meetings to identify appropriate wards and Trusts for recruitment, and assisting clinicians with obtaining informed consent from participants. The role involves providing verbal and written information and support to research participants and their carers throughout their involvement in research projects, assisting with questionnaire completion, and coordinating treatment, assessment, and follow-up in line with research protocols. The postholder will take a lead on complex interventional research studies, provide support and supervision to junior research staff, and identify areas of low patient recruitment to improve processes in liaison with the Research Delivery Manager.

The role requires adherence to Good Clinical Practice, Research Governance, Trust guidelines, and the Data Protection Act 1998. Responsibilities include facilitating patient recruitment recording on EDGE, supporting research teams with assessments and follow-up, and, with appropriate training, taking clinical samples and coordinating tissue sample collection and dispatch.

The Clinical Research Assistant will also contribute to service mapping by working with R&D staff, Trust and university employees to develop comprehensive overviews of services and support across the CNWL region, maintaining filing and office management systems.

Effective communication and collaboration are essential, including attending and leading project management meetings, liaising with other research staff and external stakeholders, promoting research awareness among patients, carers, and clinical teams, and maintaining up-to-date knowledge of research protocols and amendments. The postholder will maintain confidentiality and offer advice and support to research-active staff, patients, and carers.

Professional development is encouraged through ongoing training, supervision, appraisals, and mandatory courses including Infection Prevention & Control. The postholder will work in accordance with Trust, NIHR, and regulatory policies, supporting compliance monitoring and contributing to the development of local SOPs and best practice.

Resource management duties include supporting an efficient working environment and utilising resources effectively with awareness of financial and operational implications. The role also involves contributing to the development of research capacity, clinical service mapping, and maintaining high-quality information systems.

Experience
Experience will vary according to qualifications and previous roles. The postholder should be capable of supporting clinical research activities, patient recruitment, and data collection. Experience in research governance, Good Clinical Practice, and working within NHS or clinical research environments is advantageous.

About you
You will be a motivated and organised individual with excellent communication and interpersonal skills. You should be able to work collaboratively with clinicians, research teams, academic partners, and external stakeholders. A commitment to maintaining confidentiality, supporting research participants, and promoting research awareness is essential. You should be proactive in professional development and able to work in accordance with regulatory and Trust policies.

Qualifications
Relevant qualifications or experience in clinical research or a related healthcare field are desirable. You must be willing to undertake all mandatory training and continuous professional development to maintain and enhance your skills and knowledge.