Clinical Research Facility Team Lead (Mental Health) - Oxford
Oxford
Full Time
£49,387 - £56,515 per annum
Expires: 27/09/2026
Band 7
Fixed term: 12 months (This is a maternity cover post. Secondment can be considered.)
About the Role
Job overview
Are you a passionate leader with experience of clinical research? We are seeking a highly motivated registered nurse or allied health professional to provide leadership and management for our established research delivery team within the NIHR Oxford Health Clinical Research Facility (OH CRF) on a fixed term post
The OH CRF supports a diverse portfolio of research studies, ranging from observational research and experimental medicine through to complex interventional studies and commercial clinical trials. Research takes place across a range of mental health and neuroscience specialities, including dementia, depression, psychosis and bipolar disorder.
As CRF Team Lead, you will oversee research delivery operations, support staff development and work closely with investigators, sponsors and research partners to ensure studies are delivered safely, efficiently and to the highest standards of research governance.
This role would suit someone with hands-on experience of clinical trials or research delivery who is confident working autonomously and supporting the development of others. The main CRF base is at Warneford Hospital in Oxford, with activity also delivered across satellite and community research settings.
For more information about the OH CRF, please visit our website
NIHR Oxford Health Clinical Research Facility
Make a difference in mental health research and help create opportunities for people to take part in studies that improve care and change lives.
Main duties of the job
As CRF Team Lead, you will provide leadership and day-to-day management for the Clinical Research Facility research delivery team, supporting staff development, performance, supervision and training. You will work closely with investigators, research teams and colleagues across Oxford Health, the University of Oxford and partner organisations to support the successful delivery of a diverse portfolio of clinical research studies.
You will play a key role in the feasibility assessment, set-up and delivery of research studies, ensuring projects are conducted in accordance with research governance requirements, study protocols and Good Clinical Practice standards. Responsibilities include protocol review, resource planning, budget oversight and monitoring research performance and recruitment activity.
The post includes a clinical component, providing support and oversight for research participants and ensuring safe, effective and high-quality research delivery. You will also contribute to patient and public involvement activities, service development and continuous improvement, helping to foster a positive, collaborative and safety-focused research culture within the OH CRF.
Working for our organisation
Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust provides physical, mental health and social care for people of all ages across Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Swindon, Wiltshire, Bath and North East Somerset.
Our services are delivered at community bases, hospitals, clinics and people’s homes, delivering care as close to home as possible
Our vision is that no matter who you are or where you are, you will tell us that you receive: “Outstanding care delivered by an outstanding team”
Our values are: “Caring, safe and excellent”
At Oxford Health we offer a wide range of benefits designed to support your career and wellbeing. These include:
- Excellent opportunities for career progression
- Access to tailored individual and Trust wide learning and development
- 27 days annual leave, plus bank holidays, rising to 33 days with continuous service
- NHS Discount across a wide range of shops, restaurants and retailers
- Competitive pension scheme
- Lease car scheme
- Cycle to work scheme
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Mental Health First Aiders
- Staff accommodation (please note waiting lists may apply)
- Staff networking and support groups hosted by our Equality, Diversity & Inclusion team
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), the NIHR Oxford Health Clinical Research Facility (OH CRF) is a specialist research facility dedicated to the delivery of high-quality mental health and neuroscience research. Based within Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, we work closely with the University of Oxford, industry partners and NHS organisations to support research that improves understanding, treatment and care for people living with mental health and neurological conditions.
Since opening in 2011, the OH CRF has supported a diverse portfolio of research studies, ranging from observational research and experimental medicine through to complex interventional studies and commercial clinical trials. Our research includes studies involving healthy volunteers as well as people living with conditions such as depression, psychosis, bipolar disorder and dementia.
As part of our team, you will work in a collaborative and supportive environment that values innovation, professional development and high-quality research delivery. We are committed to helping staff develop their research and leadership skills and offer opportunities to contribute to service development, education, patient and public involvement activities, and the continued growth of clinical research across Oxford Health.
Please see the attached Job Description and Person Specification for full details of the role and responsibilities.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
- Educated to degree-level or equivalent in relevant field
- Good Clinical Practice (GCP) trained.
- Professional Registration (NMAHP)
Desirable criteria
- Postgraduate training - PhD, MSc, MA in health sciences field
- Postgraduate teaching or mentorship qualification
- Leadership/Management qualification
Experience
Essential criteria
- Recent, relevant clinical experience of working with people with physical or mental health problems
- Experience of clinical research delivery in a healthcare setting.
- Experience of managing or leading people, with evidence of leadership skills.
- Experience of audit and quality initiatives
- Evidence of teaching and mentoring
Desirable criteria
- Previous experience of mental health services or mental health research
Knowledge
Essential criteria
- Awareness of obligatory regulations and legal requirements of Clinical Research in NHS settings.
- Evidence of managing the clinical research environment
- Knowledge of Research Governance
- Awareness of application of evidence-based practice
Documents to Download
NIHR OH CRF Team Lead Band 7 (PDF, 664.3KB)
Guidance Notes for Candidates Applying for a job at OHFT (PDF, 424.6KB)
Recruiter Contact Details
Name: Amanda Colston
Title: CRF Matron
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: 01865 902135