Research Practitioner in Burnley

Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is situated on the west coast of Lancashire, with services covering the local authority areas of Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre. The Trust is part of the Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care System (ICS) supporting a population of around 1.6 million people. We have three main hospitals providing acute services to around 330,000 local residents. The organisation also provides specialist tertiary care for cardiac and haematology services, delivers community health services to over 445,000 residents including those in North Lancashire and hosts the National Artificial Eye Service across England. Plus, we provide urgent and emergency care services to an estimated 18 million people who visit the seaside resort each year. We employ over 7000 people from 68 different countries.

We welcome and encourage applications from anyone with protected characteristics, as well as supporting reservists and Veterans who are looking for a rewarding and challenging career within the NHS. Blackpool Teaching Hospitals encourages flexible working in all our roles to support staff in maintaining a healthy home-life balance. Working patterns such as part time working, self-rostering, compressed hours, annualised hours, term time, reverse term time and flexitime working can be explored.

The post will commence in September 2026, or as soon as possible thereafter. The postholder will carry out patient recruitment and data collection for the trial across participating perinatal mental health and parent‐infant services. The post will involve office‐based working alongside travel to clinical sites and participants' homes.

• Carry out patient recruitment and data collection for the trial across participating perinatal mental health and parent‐infant services in the region.
• Ensure the trial is conducted in accordance with GCP and other applicable legislation for Clinical Trials, and the General Data Protection Regulation.
• Assist with monitoring the trial progress to ensure adherence to the project plan and to identify, evaluate and rectify problems at trial sites as soon as they arise.
• Establish and maintain close working relationships with participating perinatal mental health and parent‐infant services in the region.
• Recruit mothers and birthing persons across participating perinatal mental health and parent‐infant services.
• Regularly update the central project team about progress and issues occurring at the sites.
• Troubleshoot any issues occurring at the sites.
• Systematically screen participant flow through the sites.
• Conduct baseline and follow up outcome assessments with mothers, birthing persons and their babies.
• Work with the lived experience researcher to support patient and public involvement in the project.
• Analyse video recordings of parent‐infant interaction using standardised observational measures (full training will be provided).
• Analyse and interpret quantitative and qualitative data.
• Maintain essential trial documentation including the Trial Master File.
• Assist with preparation of reports to the ethics committee and the funder.
• Deliver presentations (e.g. at workshops and conferences).
• Contribute to project meetings, assisting with agendas and other documentation.
• Write up the findings of research for reporting purposes and for publication.
• Work in accordance with professional guidelines and comply with relevant requirements of Research Governance.
• Contribute to the overall activities of the project team as required.

Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is ideally situated just a forty‐five minute drive from Manchester. The Trust provides services to the 440,000 residents of Blackpool, Fylde & Wyre and North Lancashire, as well as specialist tertiary care for Cardiac and Haematology patients. As one of the United Kingdom's largest coastal resorts, Blackpool has plenty to offer its residents – it's not just a good place to work; it's a great place to live. In addition to its bustling centre and historic seafront, the town is world famous for its many attractions, including the famous Blackpool Tower. Blackpool also offers a number of scenic cycling routes round our local parks and across the surrounding countryside, as well as boasting panoramic views of the coast on its picturesque Promenade. Further afield, Blackpool also benefits from less than three‐hour connections via rail to Edinburgh in the north and London in the south.

Please note this role will not be eligible for sponsorship as it doesn't meet the minimum salary requirements for a skilled worker visa, therefore you must have appropriate right to work in the UK or your application will not be progressed to the next stage of Recruitment.

• First degree in health or social science (e.g. psychology, sociology, nursing).
• Experience working with people with mental health problems.
• Experience of working with children, parents and/or NHS staff.
• Experience of conducting and delivering high quality quantitative and/or qualitative research.
• A sound knowledge of the principles of Good Clinical Practice.
• Experience of HRA, ethics and other regulatory frameworks.
• Experience of working on clinical trials.
• Attention to detail, accuracy of work.
• In depth awareness of key research issues for parents using mental health services.
• Highly self‐motivated and hard working.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively.
• Demonstrate excellent interpersonal, oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to self organise and work highly independently in a clinical site.
• Ability to identify problems early and to troubleshoot.
• Good IT and computer skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and aptitude for enabling people with mental health problems and their babies to support and participate in research.
• Excellent presentation and writing skills.
• Excellent organisational skills.
• Ability to respect and communicate confidential information in a sensitive and effective manner.
• Proven record of ability to manage time, organise and prioritise workload and work to strict deadlines.
• Experience in managing research and recruitment at NHS sites.

• Able and willing to travel between sites in/around the region.
• Able and willing to work outside of office hours as needed (including evenings).