Advanced Specialist Pharmacist – Lead for Clinical Trials

Job summary
Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is one of the most research active Mental Health and Community Trusts in the country.

We are looking to recruit an experienced and motivated Lead Clinical Trials Pharmacist to provide specialist pharmacy leadership for clinical trials and research involving medicines across the Trust.

This Band 8a post will lead the delivery, governance and development of the Pharmacy clinical trials service, ensuring safe, efficient and compliant management of investigational medicinal products and medicines-related research activity.

The post holder will work closely with Pharmacy, Research and Development, investigators, research staff and external partners to support high-quality clinical trial set-up and delivery.

The post is based at Prospect Park Hospital, Reading, with Trust-wide working. Travel across Trust sites may be required. We support flexible and hybrid working where appropriate to the role.

Work Pattern: Monday-Friday, 9-5, with some flexibility required to meet service needs.

Main duties of the job
The post holder will lead the operational delivery of the Pharmacy clinical trials service and act as the first point of contact for pharmacy input when new clinical trials are being considered. This will include reviewing study protocols, assessing pharmacy capacity and capability, supporting trial initiation, and ensuring robust processes are in place for the safe procurement, storage, handling, dispensing and management of investigational medicinal products.

The role will provide specialist medicines advice to pharmacy, medical, nursing and research colleagues, support clinical trial audits and inspections, maintain relevant procedures and governance documentation, and help manage risks, incidents and medicines-related queries associated with clinical trials.

The post holder will also contribute to service development, staff training, study costings and financial sustainability, working closely with the Chief Pharmacist, Head of Research and Development, R&D team and external partners to deliver safe, participant-focused and compliant research involving medicines.

About us
Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is a specialist mental health and community health services trust. Rated 'outstanding' by the CQC, we're committed to providing the best possible care to people across Berkshire. As an employer, we're committed to offering an inclusive and compassionate environment where our people share in a sense of belonging and are supported to flourish.

Our values at Berkshire Healthcare are:

• Caring for and about you is our top priority
• Committed to providing good quality, safe services
• Working Together with you to develop innovative solutions

Your wellbeing is important to us. Some of the benefits of working for us include:

• Flexible working options to support work-life balance
• 27 days' annual leave rising with service + opportunity to buy and sell
• Generous NHS pension scheme
• Excellent learning and career development opportunities
• 'Cycle to Work' and car leasing scheme including electric vehicles
• Access to a range of wellbeing tools and services
• Discounts at hundreds of popular retailers and restaurants
• Staff networks for race, diversity, disabilities, the environment and armed forces community to support equality
• Generous maternity, paternity, adoption and special leave
• Free parking across Trust sites

Details
Date posted: 04 August 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 8a
Salary: £57,528 to £64,750 a year
Contract: Fixed term
Duration: 12 months
Working pattern: Full-time
Reference number: 371-CS390
Job locations: Pharmacy Dept - Prospect Park Hospital, Reading, RG30 4EJ, United Kingdom

Job responsibilities
The must haves for this role:

• MPharm degree and current registration with the General Pharmaceutical Council.
• Good Clinical Practice accreditation and knowledge of clinical trials governance, MHRA expectations and medicines-related regulatory requirements.
• Substantial clinical pharmacy experience, including experience of clinical trials pharmacy practice.
• Ability to provide specialist medicines advice, review research protocols and assess the impact of clinical trials on pharmacy services.
• Strong communication, organisational, analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to work collaboratively across Pharmacy, R&D and clinical services.
• Experience of supervising, training or supporting pharmacy staff, trainees or colleagues involved in clinical trials activity.

The full job description provides further information on the responsibilities of the role. If you share our commitment to safe, high-quality and participant-focused research, and want to help develop an effective and sustainable clinical trials pharmacy service, we would welcome your application.

For further information about the role, please see attached job description and person specification.

We strongly encourage you to review how you meet the criteria in the person specification and write about this point-by-point in your supporting statement for the best chance of being shortlisted.

We're committed to equal opportunities and welcome applications from all sections of the community. Our commitment to inclusion is reflected in our accreditations: Race Equality Matters Silver Trailblazer, Neurodiversity in Business Corporate Member, Disability Confident Leader, Carer Confident Level 2, and the Armed Forces Covenant Gold Award. Reasonable adjustments will be provided to candidates as needed.

We welcome a conversation about flexibility and any other questions you may have. Please don't hesitate to call: Ozma Tahir on 07580737965 or email: Ozma.Tahir@berkshire.nhs.uk who'll be delighted to help.

Please note, if we receive a high number of applications, we may close this role earlier than the advertised closing date, so please submit your application as soon as possible.

Person Specification
Education, qualifications or training
Essential

• MPharm degree and GPhC registration
• Good Clinical Practice (GCP) accreditation

Desirable

• Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Pharmacy or equivalent

Continuous Professional Development
Essential

• Evidence of maintaining continuing professional development

Desirable

• Leadership or management training

Previous Experience
Essential

• Substantial clinical pharmacy experience
• Experience of clinical trials pharmacy practice
• Experience of supervising, training or supporting pharmacy staff and trainees

Knowledge, skills and abilities
Essential

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Ability to provide specialist medicines advice and assess protocol impact on pharmacy services

Additional Requirements
Essential

• Ability to work across Trust sites and support Trust-wide clinical trials activity

Desirable

• Ability to lead audit, governance and service improvement initiatives within clinical trials pharmacy

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details
Employer name: Berkshire Healthcare Foundation Trust
Address: Pharmacy Dept - Prospect Park Hospital, Reading, RG30 4EJ, United Kingdom

Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact:
Deputy Chief Pharmacist
Ozma Tahir
Ozma.Tahir@berkshire.nhs.uk
07580737965