Job overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen to work with the RCHT research team as a Research Doctor specifically to support commercial research as part of the Commercial Research Delivery Centre (CRDC) for Cornwall.

This post will involve supporting the local Principal Investigators and their delivery teams with the running of NIHR (National Institute of Health Research) hosted and sponsored commercial studies across the Peninsula within acute and primary settings.

The post will involve supporting principal investigators in their clinical duties such as clinical examinations, reviewing bloods and undertaking any other clinical procedures as required.

This post provides the opportunity to undergo training and gain experience across several specialities thus enabling you to broaden your clinical skill set within the NHS. 

The Research Doctor will be required to work with the delivery teams to increase the Trust’s portfolio of commercial studies and recruitment to trials, and work to ensure the safety and effective management of research participants in commercial research studies.

The role will also entail the mentorship of medical students as and when required. There is a requirement to work on an on call basis as and when required.  

Main duties of the job

Primarily, you will be expected to recruit, consent, enrol and monitor patients to new commercial research trials, according to each trial protocol in keeping with the principles of Good Clinical Practice.

Working alongside the Research Delivery Manager and Team Leader for the CRDC, as well as Delivery Team Leaders, Research Delivery teams and numerous consultants, research nurses, administrators, facilitators, and data managers, you will be expected to work in research dedicated clinics either alone (with trials team support), in parallel with routine care clinics or in joint clinics within either acute or a primary care setting. 

Therefore, a good approach to teamwork is required, as well as being able to work alone making clinical decisions, with appropriate support available.

Working for our organisation

The Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust (RCHT) is the main provider of acute and specialist care services in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. We serve a population of around 500,000 people - a figure that can increase significantly with visitors during the busiest times of the year.

We employ approximately 6,700 staff and have a budget of approximately £580 million. We are a teaching hospital in partnership with the University of Exeter Medical School, University of Plymouth School of Nursing and Midwifery, and Peninsula Dental School. The Knowledge Spa on the Royal Cornwall Hospital site is the base for medical and nursing as well as ongoing education for health professions in clinical and non-clinical roles.

Keeping at the forefront of medical advances, we are continually developing our clinical services as well as our facilities and are committed to maximising the range of specialist care that can be offered locally. Allied to this is a growing reputation for research and innovation.

Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust is a research active organisation.

It’s established South West Clinical School in Cornwall exists to promote clinical academic career opportunities for nurses, midwives and allied health professionals interested in research and evidence-based activities. Read their research paper to find out more.