Senior Research Nurse in Oxford

We have an exciting opportunity to join the Draper Group in the Department of Paediatrics as our Senior Research Nurse – Malaria Vaccine Programme. You will play an important role in supporting the malaria vaccine studies across Africa. In addition, the role will include support for the vaccine and human malaria challenge studies in Oxford.

You will be responsible for supporting the design, delivery and execution of clinical trials of this multi-stage malaria vaccine candidate through Phase 1 optimisation and Phase 2 efficacy testing at both existing and new collaborative partner sites across East and West Africa. You will provide visible leadership through collaboration with great communication and organisational skills.

The post will involve travel to one or more African sites (approximately 2-4 short trips per year) providing some experience working in low resource settings. As such, the postholder will develop a close working relationship with the overseas clinical trial teams, overseas Principal Investigators, the group’s Vaccine Supply Manager, Oxford Clinical Research Fellows and Project Managers. This is to ensure the smooth running of the clinical trials in accordance with the specific study protocols and departmental standard operating procedures.

The postholder will require good knowledge of the Clinical Trials Regulations 2025 subsequent amendments and associated requirements. You will be working in a growing department within the Medical Sciences Division. The Department of Paediatrics is a world leader in child health research and hosts internationally renowned research programmes in drug development, gastroenterology, haematology, HIV, immunology, neuroimaging, neuromuscular diseases and vaccinology.

The Draper Group under the lead of Simon Draper has a strong translational focus that spans iterative vaccine design, antibody immunology and experimental medicine, including studies where vaccines are tested for early-stage efficacy using a human malaria challenge model. Recently, the success of the group’s leading blood-stage malaria vaccine candidate, RH5.1, led to a Phase 2 field trial in Burkina Faso which demonstrated partial efficacy against clinical malaria in 5–17-month-old children, a world first for the blood-stage malaria vaccine field.

This position is offered full-time on a fixed-term contract initially for 24 months with the possibility to extend provided further external funding is available.

The Department of Paediatrics is committed to equality and valuing diversity. The Department of Paediatrics has been honoured with the Athena Swan Gold award, a national gender equality charter, recognising the Department's innovative policies and practices. We are committed to the professional development of our staff by providing up to ten paid days annually for skill enhancement and allowing applications for additional training funding.

By joining us, you will have the opportunity to contribute to a forward-thinking department. We welcome new staff with ideas who are willing to shape the future of the department that thinks about its staff and wellbeing. In addition to the University of Oxford, the Department of Paediatrics sponsors weekly exercise classes such as yoga and bootcamp sessions as well as a choir. For staff on work visas, we also offer financial assistance towards visa renewal fees. These activities are designed to promote physical and mental wellbeing among staff members.