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Job summary

Main area
Physiotherapy Research Assistant
Grade
Band 6
Contract
3 years (Fixed Term)
Hours
Part time - 30 hours per week (Flexible working)
Job ref
320-CDCS-4005
Employer
University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
Royal Derby Hospital
Town
Derby
Salary
£38,682 - £46,580 pro rata pa
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
07/04/2026 23:59
Interview date
16/04/2026

Employer heading

University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust logo

Physiotherapy Research Assistant

Band 6

As a trusted organisation at the heart of our communities, we recognise the important role we can play in supporting the public, patients, our own people and local partners in achieving the best of health for the local population and the communities in which they live by providing Exceptional Care Together.

Our fundamental Values of Compassion, Openness and Excellence underpin how we intend to work as a Trust and the associated behaviours are becoming embedded in all aspects of how we work.

With over 14,000 members of staff you can expect huge variety and new opportunities every day! Our staff go above and beyond and take pride in caring for our patients.

University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust is fully committed to promoting inclusion, equality, diversity and human rights in employment and delivery of its services.  The Trust is committed to providing an environment where all employees, patients, carers and visitors experience equality of opportunity by means of understanding and appreciating the value of diversity.

As a Trust we promote an inclusive environment and welcome applications from a diverse pool of talent and backgrounds.  All individuals are valued and given every opportunity to succeed based on merit.

The Trust actively encourages applications from members of our Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities. These groups are under-represented in our organisation, and it’s important to us that our workforce reflects the diversity of our communities as much as possible.

Armed Forces and Disability Confident guaranteed interview scheme

To further support the pledges in the Armed Forces Covenant and to make a positive contribution to support ex-armed forces personnel (veterans) make the transition to civilian life, the Trust has introduced a Guaranteed Interview Scheme for veterans who meets the essential criteria set out in the person specification, to help them overcome barriers to find civilian employment. The scheme will operate for all external recruitment.

The Trust is a Disability Confident Employer and committed to both employing and retaining people with disabilities.  This commitment is to guarantee an interview for any candidate that has disclosed a disability under the Equality Act 2010 and who meets the essential criteria set out in the person specification.  Reasonable adjustments under the Equality Act 2010 will be considered upon request.

if you are blind or visually impaired and require application material in an alternative format- such as Braille, large print, audio or accessible electronic formats or  you require support/adjustments with your application please contact the recruitment team on  01332 788466

Join us and help make a real difference to our Trust.

Here’s more about the role and what we’re looking for; 

Job overview

UHDB sponsors both observational and interventional trials. There are currently over 200 studies open to recruitment across Derby and Burton Hospitals. UHDB hosts the Derby Clinical Trials Support Unit (DCTSU), established in 2008. The integration within a research active Trust provides a unique insight into delivering clinical trials within the NHS by utilising close collaboration with clinical colleagues. 

The Physiotherapy Research Assistant will be responsible for management of University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Trust (UHDB) sponsored study “Development and feasibility testing of an optimised physiotherapy intervention for adolescents with anterior knee pain” funded by the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy Charitable Trust (CSPCT). 

This is a three-year programme development grant with four consecutive work packages of research looking at physiotherapy for young people (aged 10 – 18) with anterior knee pain. The DCTSU will be providing trial management for work package 4, the multi-centre feasibility RCT.

Closing date of applications - 07 April 2026

Interview date - 16 April 2026

Main duties of the job

After induction & competency training the job holder will undertake all duties as an autonomous practitioner seeking help & guidance from the AHP/HCS Clinical Academic Lead and other members of the research team, e.g. clinical specialist physiotherapist at UHDB and academic partners, research & development as appropriate, external sites, and other key stakeholders.

The successful candidate must comply with standards set out by HCPC or relevant professional body, including quality control procedures for all aspects of trial conduct to ensure compliance with the principles of Good Clinical Practice, research governance standards and all applicable legislation.

The Physiotherapy Research Assistant will work closely with other members of the study team to deliver key milestone, including relevant Co-Investigators and Lead Researcher; plus, wider members of the R&D and Derby CTSU teams including statisticians, trial managers, data managers and administrator. The role is under the guidance and mentorship of the lead applicant of the research project, the AHP/HCS Clinical Academic Lead, UHDB.

The Physiotherapy Research Assistant will take responsibility and is accountable for delegated research activities, including the efficient set-up and delivery of the research project, project administration, data collection, data analysis, and report writing, and liaising with other sites.

 For more information on this role please see the attached job description and person specification. 

Working for our organisation

As a trusted organisation at the heart of our communities, we recognise the important role we can play in supporting the public, patients, our own people and local partners in achieving the best of health for the local population and the communities in which they live by providing Exceptional Care Together

Our fundamental Values of Compassion, Openness and Excellence underpin how we intend to work as a Trust and the associated behaviours are becoming embedded in all aspects of how we work.

In return we will offer:

Development opportunities, both professional and leadership development
On-going support from recruitment to when you join our team and beyond.
Staff benefits including employee assistance programme, discounted gym membership, onsite fitness classes, car schemes

Key Facts:

We see on average 4810 OP appointments a day.
We are the 4th busiest Trauma & Orthopaedic outpatients department in England – an average of 2077 per week.
An average of 1115 patients are seen in A&Es across our network every day – 3rd largest in the country.
Our hospitals admit an average of 195 emergency patients daily.
Last year we undertook almost 33,700 planned surgical operations in our 57 operating theatres.
We are one of only 7 Trusts nationally with more than 50 operating theatres.
We carry out more than 140 elective procedures each working day.
UHDB is a research active University Hospital with a large and varied portfolio of clinical trials and research opportunities for all staff.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Please see attached Job description and Person Specification. To apply please click APPLY FOR THIS JOB – this link will take you to the TRAC Recruitment Site. You will need to register if you do not already have an account.
 
UHDB is committed to fair and transparent recruitment. We welcome authentic applications that reflect your own skills, experience and motivations for the role. While we understand that candidates may use AI tools for grammar, formatting or accessibility purposes, applications that appear to be substantially AI‑generated may be subject to additional review. If this applies to your submission, we will let you know and may ask for clarification. Please ensure your application accurately represents your experience and is written in your own words. 
 
Following the recent update on UK immigration policy for those on a Health and Care Visa or Skilled Worker Visa, please click on the link to check your eligibility before applying for this post as we may be unable to provide sponsorship Impacts of the changes to the UK immigration policy | NHS Employers

Person specification

Education, Training and Qualifications CPD Requirements

Essential criteria
  • HCPC Registration or registration with relevant professional body
  • Degree level qualified in Physiotherapy.
  • Excellent IT skills
Desirable criteria
  • Membership of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy
  • Involvement in CSP Special Clinical Interest Group. Accredited specialist training relevant to the clinical field.

Experience & Knowledge

Essential criteria
  • Recent significant clinical experience at band 5 level or above in specialty area
  • Involvement in audit, research and understanding quality issues
Desirable criteria
  • Recent clinical experience at band 6 level

Skills and Ability

Essential criteria
  • Ability to identify problems / seek advice/ identify solutions. Prioritises problems, assesses associated risks and takes appropriate action
Desirable criteria
  • Ability to present and teach within the multidisciplinary team and can promote the need for and to present the results of research

Communications and interpersonal skills

Essential criteria
  • Demonstrates knowledge of effective team working
Desirable criteria
  • Demonstrates leadership skills

Other requirements

Essential criteria
  • Expresses enthusiasm for post and desire to work and research in paediatric clinical area

Employer certification / accreditation badges

No smoking policyArmed Forces Covenant Gold AwardMindful employer.  Being positive about mental health.Disability confident employerCare Leaver CovenantStep into healthArmed Forces CovenantCareLeaver CovenantAge Friendly EmployerNational Preceptorship for Nursing Quality Mark 2024

Applicant requirements

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Benjamin Smith
Job title
AHP/HCS Clinical Academic Lead
Email address
[email protected]
Telephone number
01332 254631
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