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Oxford Health NHS Trust

CRF Clinical Research Practitioner / Research Assistant

The closing date is 27 July 2025

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Job summary

Would you like to be part of finding treatments for the future at the NIHR Oxford Health Clinical Research Facility?

As a Clinical Research Practitioner / Research Assistant, working in the only Mental Health CRF in the UK, you would be part of our friendly, multidisciplinary team, offering our research participants exceptional care as they follow their study journey.

A variety of research studies are currently run at the NIHR Oxford Health Clinical Research Facility (OH CRF) at the Warneford: from National Institute of Health Research (NIHR) and other grant funded studies through to commercial clinical trials. Studies include observational cohort studies through to CTIMPs, covering a wide variety of disease indications from healthy volunteers to those suffering from specific conditions such as schizophrenia, depression, and dementia.

Main duties of the job

This role provides opportunities to develop, gain experience and knowledge in the field of mental health and neuroscience clinical research. Clinical experience and some familiarity with mental health conditions is essential, but no research experience is necessary. We have lots of training available and an extensive induction programme is offered to ensure staff build confidence and skill within the role.

Specific tasks will be:

  • Responding to enquiries from potential participants
  • Pre-screening potential participants by phone and arranging screening visits
  • Obtaining informed consent and conducting screening interviews, including the CDR, MINI and C-SSRS rating scales
  • Venepuncture and blood-spinning by centrifuge
  • Arranging and attending MRI scans and other clinic visits
  • Being a point of contact for trial participants
  • Completion of trial forms and prompt data entry to the online database

Experience of the above procedures would be an advantage, but you'll be joining an experienced team and full training will be given. Please refer to the job description attached for a comprehensive list of duties .

About us

NIHR Oxford Health Clinical Research Facility (OH CRF) was established in 2011, to support intensive research studies that are not feasible to conduct within the routine clinical care setting, primarily in areas of mental health and neurosciences.

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 and clinics, 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

Details

Date posted

17 July 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 5

Salary

£31,049 to £37,796 a year pa, pro rata

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

12 months

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

267-CS7286400

Job locations

Clinical Research Facility, Warneford Hospital

Warneford Lane

Oxford

OX3 7JX


Job description

Job responsibilities

The OH CRF was awarded more than £4 million over five years by the NIHR. The OH CRF is one of 28 facilities across England to benefit from nearly £161 million that has been awarded to expand early phase clinical research delivery in NHS hospitals.

OH CRF staff have opportunities for training with the NIHR, UKCRF network, University of Oxford and many other study specific opportunities. Research Assistants may be able to expand their research experience by undertaking research themselves through working with leaders in the field at the University of Oxford Department of Psychiatry and with nurse academics at Oxford Brookes University.

We hope that the advert has given you a clear understanding of the skills we are seeking and the opportunity at hand. You will need to use the supporting statement element of your application form to demonstrate your suitability for this role and you should refer to the job description, person specification and the guidance notes attached to this role to help you tailor your application.

The essential and desirable criteria will be used to shortlist for interview and you should ensure that you refer to these within your application to increase your chances of being selected for interview.

Job description

Job responsibilities

The OH CRF was awarded more than £4 million over five years by the NIHR. The OH CRF is one of 28 facilities across England to benefit from nearly £161 million that has been awarded to expand early phase clinical research delivery in NHS hospitals.

OH CRF staff have opportunities for training with the NIHR, UKCRF network, University of Oxford and many other study specific opportunities. Research Assistants may be able to expand their research experience by undertaking research themselves through working with leaders in the field at the University of Oxford Department of Psychiatry and with nurse academics at Oxford Brookes University.

We hope that the advert has given you a clear understanding of the skills we are seeking and the opportunity at hand. You will need to use the supporting statement element of your application form to demonstrate your suitability for this role and you should refer to the job description, person specification and the guidance notes attached to this role to help you tailor your application.

The essential and desirable criteria will be used to shortlist for interview and you should ensure that you refer to these within your application to increase your chances of being selected for interview.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Undergraduate degree (BA or BSc) in relevant area of study (e.g. Psychology) /Skills/Professional

Desirable

  • Evidence of post-graduate study

Knowledge and skills

Essential

  • Knowledge in the field of mental and/or physical health
  • Understanding of basic research skills and methodologies
  • Evidence of excellent listening, verbal and written communication skills
  • Well developed computer skills including experience using databases
  • Commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults

Desirable

  • Recent GCP/ICH training

Experience

Essential

  • Clinical experience of working with people with mental and/or physical health issues and their carers

Desirable

  • Experience of working in a mental health setting.
  • Experience of clinical trials, or of research in a healthcare setting
  • Experience of working in a multi-disciplinary team
  • Experience of project management

Personal Qualities

Essential

  • Adaptable and self-motivated
  • Proven organisation and time management skills
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Undergraduate degree (BA or BSc) in relevant area of study (e.g. Psychology) /Skills/Professional

Desirable

  • Evidence of post-graduate study

Knowledge and skills

Essential

  • Knowledge in the field of mental and/or physical health
  • Understanding of basic research skills and methodologies
  • Evidence of excellent listening, verbal and written communication skills
  • Well developed computer skills including experience using databases
  • Commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults

Desirable

  • Recent GCP/ICH training

Experience

Essential

  • Clinical experience of working with people with mental and/or physical health issues and their carers

Desirable

  • Experience of working in a mental health setting.
  • Experience of clinical trials, or of research in a healthcare setting
  • Experience of working in a multi-disciplinary team
  • Experience of project management

Personal Qualities

Essential

  • Adaptable and self-motivated
  • Proven organisation and time management skills

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

Oxford Health NHS Trust

Address

Clinical Research Facility, Warneford Hospital

Warneford Lane

Oxford

OX3 7JX


Employer's website

https://www.oxfordhealth.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Oxford Health NHS Trust

Address

Clinical Research Facility, Warneford Hospital

Warneford Lane

Oxford

OX3 7JX


Employer's website

https://www.oxfordhealth.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Clinical Research Facility Matron

Amanda Colston

amanda.colston@oxfordhealth.nhs.uk

07789747574

Details

Date posted

17 July 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 5

Salary

£31,049 to £37,796 a year pa, pro rata

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

12 months

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

267-CS7286400

Job locations

Clinical Research Facility, Warneford Hospital

Warneford Lane

Oxford

OX3 7JX


Supporting documents

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