Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership Trust

Research Workforce Development Lead (Internal)

The closing date is 13 March 2026

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Job summary

An exciting opportunity has arisen to strengthen and expand research across CWPT's Mental Health directorate.

We are seeking a Research Workforce Development Lead, for one day per week to champion and embed research within the Mental Health directorate. This role will play a key part in supporting teams to develop research skills, build research-active cultures, and integrate evidence-based practice into everyday care.

Main duties of the job

  • Contribute towards the development and implementation of directorate specific research objectives to strengthen research capability and capacity.

  • Work with senior leaders, clinical teams, and the Research Team to embed research as a core component of service delivery, workforce planning and professional development.

  • Identify staff with interest in research roles.

  • Promote inclusive pathways to ensure equitable access to research opportunities across all professions and staff groups within the Directorate.

  • Act as a key liaison between the Directorate and the CWPT Research & Development Team to ensure alignment of priorities.

  • Support the dissemination and translation of research findings to improve clinical practice and service quality.

  • Champion the value of research participation and evidence-based innovation across the Directorates.

  • Lead initiatives to raise awareness, increase staff engagement with research studies, and embed research into routine care.

  • Celebrate success stories,and contribute to events such as the Research and Improvement conference.

  • Contribute to quality assurance processes to ensure the mental health research workforce is skilled, compliant, and ready to deliver high-quality studies, and, where appropriate, consider where the gaps are and how these could be overcome.

  • Support equality, diversity, and inclusion principles within research workforce development.

About us

At Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership NHS Trust (CWPT), we deliver a wide range of physical, mental health, learning disability and autism services, and are proud to serve communities across Coventry, Warwickshire and beyond.

We put 'people at our heart'; this ethos is at the centre of everything we do and how we do it. We care for our staff and colleagues as much as they care for others and offer a wide range of benefits and development opportunities.

  • generous annual leave entitlement which increases during your time with us
  • excellent learning and development opportunities, including apprenticeship frameworks, distance learning, internal training, coaching and mentoring, and much more
  • salary sacrifice schemes for lease car/ vehicle, Cycle to Work, home and electronics, gym membership and more
  • discounts with a range of retailers, restaurants and entertainment venues through our Employee Assistance Programme and NHS discount schemes
  • wellbeing support, including an in-house counselling service, external helpline and more
  • staff networks and support group

We're always on the lookout for people who share our passion for improving the lives and wellbeing of people in our community, as well as our values of compassion, collaboration, excellence, integrity and respect.

Details

Date posted

19 February 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£47,810 to £54,710 a year pro rata

Contract

Secondment

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

444-7817080-CORP

Job locations

Caludon Centre

Coventry

CV2 2TE


Job description

Job responsibilities

This role will play a key part in strengthening the presence of research across the Directorate. The post-holder will help nurture a positive research culture by increasing awareness, encouraging staff involvement, and supporting teams to build their confidence in research-related activities. They will work closely with colleagues to identify development needs, guide staff toward suitable training or opportunities, and promote the integration of research thinking into everyday practice.

The role also involves working in partnership with the Trusts Research Team, contributing to communication and engagement initiatives, and helping to monitor the progress and impact of research activity within the Directorates.

To succeed in this role, desirable skills include strong communication and relationship-building abilities, confidence in engaging staff at all levels, and a genuine enthusiasm for promoting research within healthcare settings. Experience in supporting research projects, understanding research governance principles, or involvement with academic or clinical research teams would be an advantage. The ideal candidate will be proactive, well-organised, and able to work independently while contributing effectively to the wider research strategy of the Trust.

Job description

Job responsibilities

This role will play a key part in strengthening the presence of research across the Directorate. The post-holder will help nurture a positive research culture by increasing awareness, encouraging staff involvement, and supporting teams to build their confidence in research-related activities. They will work closely with colleagues to identify development needs, guide staff toward suitable training or opportunities, and promote the integration of research thinking into everyday practice.

The role also involves working in partnership with the Trusts Research Team, contributing to communication and engagement initiatives, and helping to monitor the progress and impact of research activity within the Directorates.

To succeed in this role, desirable skills include strong communication and relationship-building abilities, confidence in engaging staff at all levels, and a genuine enthusiasm for promoting research within healthcare settings. Experience in supporting research projects, understanding research governance principles, or involvement with academic or clinical research teams would be an advantage. The ideal candidate will be proactive, well-organised, and able to work independently while contributing effectively to the wider research strategy of the Trust.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • First level registration
  • Educated to master's level in health-related subject or equivalent experience
  • Provide evidence of continuous professional development, documented within CPD portfolio

Knowledge

Essential

  • A sound knowledge of the research governance process.
  • Ability to write clear and concise reports
  • Advanced communication, influencing and negotiating skills.
  • Effective decision-making skills
  • Skills in project management and experience of presenting information to colleagues
  • Ability to lead, manage and supervise staff, delegate work appropriately and develop a team acting as a positive role model at all times
  • Ability to prioritise, meet deadlines and foster similar behaviours within the team.

Experience

Essential

  • Clinical research experience at a senior level
  • Evidence of involvement and leadership in teaching and mentorship
  • Evidence of involvement in clinical and research governance agenda
  • Evidence of resource and budget management
  • Ability to work effectively with colleagues at all levels
  • Able to promote equality, diversity and rights
  • Fully aware of principles of infection control and health and safety issues
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • First level registration
  • Educated to master's level in health-related subject or equivalent experience
  • Provide evidence of continuous professional development, documented within CPD portfolio

Knowledge

Essential

  • A sound knowledge of the research governance process.
  • Ability to write clear and concise reports
  • Advanced communication, influencing and negotiating skills.
  • Effective decision-making skills
  • Skills in project management and experience of presenting information to colleagues
  • Ability to lead, manage and supervise staff, delegate work appropriately and develop a team acting as a positive role model at all times
  • Ability to prioritise, meet deadlines and foster similar behaviours within the team.

Experience

Essential

  • Clinical research experience at a senior level
  • Evidence of involvement and leadership in teaching and mentorship
  • Evidence of involvement in clinical and research governance agenda
  • Evidence of resource and budget management
  • Ability to work effectively with colleagues at all levels
  • Able to promote equality, diversity and rights
  • Fully aware of principles of infection control and health and safety issues

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

Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership Trust

Address

Caludon Centre

Coventry

CV2 2TE


Employer's website

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

Employer details

Employer name

Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership Trust

Address

Caludon Centre

Coventry

CV2 2TE


Employer's website

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

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Acting Head of Research

Marie McCauley

marie.mccauley@covwarkpt.nhs.uk

Details

Date posted

19 February 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£47,810 to £54,710 a year pro rata

Contract

Secondment

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

444-7817080-CORP

Job locations

Caludon Centre

Coventry

CV2 2TE


Supporting documents

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