Local Authority Research Practitioner (LARP)

Job summary
21 Month Fixed-Term Contract - Part time 30 hours per week

This post is part of a growing team of research nurses and practitioners working in the research and development (R&D) team at CPFT.

The primary base will be the Windsor Research Unit (Fulbourn hospital, Cambridge) with an expectation to provide support at the Cavell Centre, Peterborough on a business needs basis.

The Local Authority Research Practitioner (LARP) will play a pivotal role in developing, coordinating, and delivering research activity across CPFT and the local authorities the Trust works closely with.

The post will also strengthen collaboration with universities, partner NHS organisations, and the voluntary sector to drive high quality, impactful research.

This role is specifically designed to build research capacity and engagement within social care, public health, and community-based services, ensuring that research is embedded across the wider care system and aligned with shared strategic priorities.

The post holder will act as a bridge between health and local authority systems, supporting staff to engage in research and ensuring that residents - particularly those in social care or underserved communities - have equitable access to research opportunities.

The role is critical to embedding a sustainable research culture that supports evidence-based practice, service improvement, and innovation across both: NHS and local authorities organisations.

Main duties of the job

• Champion a positive research culture and advocate for the integration of research into routine practice.
• To provide ongoing support, advice and information to patients/volunteers regarding their participation in clinical research in order to obtain effective informed consent.
• To ensure day to day practice reflects the highest standards of governance, clinical effectiveness, safety and patient experience.
• To work collaboratively with other colleagues to ensure all studies are delivered on time and target and are delivered in accordance with the requirements of the study protocol.
• Undertake horizon scanning to identify research opportunities and studies relevant to collaborative working between CPFT and Local Authority partners.
• Accurate and timely completion of all study-related activities, electronically and/or in paper format. Provide regular updates on study progress to R&D and the wider CPFT community, including presentations at relevant CPFT forums and the timely provision of performance and recruitment data to R&D leads.
• To contribute to identification, management, and reduction of risk and ensure appropriate clinical response as required by the protocol.
• Maintain records and documentation of the studies, supporting good clinical governance, using standard databases and/or spreadsheets to regularly update Investigators, sponsors and R&D Governance.

About us
Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust is a health and social care organisation dedicated to providing high quality care with compassion to improve the health and wellbeing of the people we care for, as well as supporting and empowering them to lead fulfilling lives.

Our clinical teams deliver a wide range of NHS services across inpatient, primary care and community settings, including children's, adult and older people's mental health, forensic and specialist mental health, learning disabilities, primary care and liaison psychiatry, substance misuse, social care, and research and development.

To achieve our goals, we recruit high calibre candidates who share our vision and values. As an equal opportunities' employer, we welcome applications from all sections of the community, particularly under represented groups including people with long term conditions and members of our ethnic minority and LGBTQ+ communities.

All appointments for new employees to CPFT are subject to the successful completion of a probationary period.

Please note we reserve the right to close adverts early should we receive sufficient applications.

Regrettably, we cannot offer sponsorship for all roles. If you apply for a post that does not attract sponsorship, your application will be withdrawn from the process.

For further information on CPFT, please visit our website at https://www.cpft.nhs.uk

Closing date: 09 November 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 6
Salary: £39,959 to £48,117 a year per annum pro rata
Contract: Fixed term, 21 months
Working pattern: Part-time
Reference number: 310-CORP-8180799

Job responsibilities
Please note for this role you will be required to travel independently around the county meeting strict time deadlines. You will need to hold a full UK driving licence and have use of a vehicle. You cannot use public transport for this role as this is not a reliable form of transport and will not allow you to meet service needs. Please confirm in your application that you meet the specified criteria.

Please refer to the attached job description and person specification for full details of responsibilities.

Person Specification

• Experience working within health, social care, Local Authority, or community settings.
• Experience of delivering research studies.
• Experience of participant recruitment and informed consent processes.
• Experience supporting projects, research, service evaluation, or quality improvement activities.
• Degree in a health, social care, public health, psychology, social science, or related subject.
• ICH GCP Training.
• Ability to build productive partnerships across organisations.
• Competence in Microsoft Office applications and data management systems.
• Ability to present information effectively to different audiences.
• Knowledge of the legislation relating to information governance, confidentiality requirements and data protection.
• Knowledge of recent NHS legislation and recommendations in research.
• Knowledge of Research Governance Framework and Good Clinical Practice Guidelines.
• Good working knowledge of Mental Capacity Act.
• Promote a culture of inclusion, respect, and collaboration.
• Ability to travel independently around Cambridgeshire and Peterborough area meeting required timescales. A full driving licence and access to a vehicle is essential.

Desirable

• Masters in Public Health Research methods or related subject.
• Familiarity with NIHR research infrastructure.
• Understanding of public involvement and engagement in research.

Contact: R&D PPIE Lead/Clinical Research Nurse, Lynda (Binnie) Barnes, lynda.barnes@cpft.co.uk

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and requires a Disclosure and Barring Service check. Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications.