Job overview

There is an exciting opportunity to join the dementia research team, with two Research Nurse posts funded by the UK Dementia Trials Network (UKDTN). One post will be hosted within the Clinical Research Facility (CRF), and the other within the Directorate.

The UKDTN was established to improve dementia-related health outcomes and address health inequalities by promoting equitable access to clinical research opportunities for people living with dementia. Its vision is to develop a patient-focused, innovative and expert dementia research workforce that works collaboratively across organisational and geographical boundaries to transform the dementia research landscape.

The successful candidates will play a key role in supporting the delivery of innovative dementia research and clinical trials, contributing to the UKDTN’s ambition to establish the UK as a leading destination for early-phase dementia trials, improve equitable access to research opportunities and strengthen existing clinical trial infrastructure. 

These posts offer a valuable opportunity to help advance scientific understanding, expand participation in dementia research and ultimately improve outcomes for people living with dementia.

Main duties of the job

One post holder will report directly to the Band 7 Alzheimer’s Society UK Dementia Trials Network (UKDTN) Senior Research Sister. The other post holder will report to the Band 7 Clinical Research Facility (CRF) Manager, with professional oversight from the Band 7 Alzheimer’s Society UKDTN Senior Research Sister.

As a key member of the dementia research team, the Research Sister/Charge Nurse will be responsible for assessing, planning, implementing and evaluating participant care in accordance with clinical trial protocols, laboratory manuals, Good Clinical Practice (GCP) guidelines and all relevant regulatory and governance requirements.

Working across the Clinical Research Facility (CRF) and the Directorate, the post holder will collaborate with the wider multidisciplinary research team to support the development and implementation of effective recruitment strategies, achieve study recruitment targets and facilitate the successful delivery of dementia research studies and clinical trials.

The post holder will ensure that appropriate research safeguards are in place to protect the rights, dignity, safety and well-being of research participants, ensuring that all research activities are conducted in accordance with approved protocols and the relevant regulatory framework. They will also contribute to the coordination and development of the dementia research programme, representing the team at relevant regional, national and international meetings as required.

Working for our organisation

You will be working for an organisation which values and respects all of its staff and the community it serves. The Trust is a leader in the NHS and research sectors and provides excellent benefits for its staff. This includes commitments to professional development but also many policies to support employees in balancing their personal and professional lives. 

The Biomedical Research Centre; Sheffield has recently been awarded NIHR funding to establish a Neurosciences BRC, which will focus on the key research areas of Neuro-inflammation, Cerebrovascular Neurology and Neurodegeneration. The BRC will work in partnership with Sheffield’s CRF to ensure the safe delivery of its early phase experimental medicine trials.  The post holder will work on a portfolio of studies on neuromuscular (PD) disorders. 

The Sheffield NIHR Clinical Research Facility (CRF) is a joint venture between the University of Sheffield and Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. The CRF is a specially equipped unit, devoted to ensuring that research is conducted to the highest standards and providing research participants with excellent quality of care.