Forensic Research Assistant | East London NHS Foundation Trust

The main duties of the post-holder will be those concerned with facilitating and promoting research activity within East London Forensic Service (ELFS). This will include identifying, recruiting and supporting patients through the research process as well as providing support as necessary to research active teams and clinicians within the service. The post-holder will develop and maintain research related databases, undertake data entry and statistical analysis using appropriate software packages, as well as contribute to writing up and dissemination of study findings.

The post is based within ELFS, which is a large forensic mental health service providing care to service users across different levels of security (medium and low security as well as the community). ELFS is an organisation very supportive of research and is keen to promote research activity in order to promote better patient care, service user satisfaction and staff recruitment and retention.

The post-holder will work closely with the ELFS Research Lead and other clinicians to develop and promote research within the organisation, and will be part of a wider network of research staff, including Research Assistants, within the Trust.

Duties will be allocated to the post-holder according to qualifications and experience. They are likely to involve some or all of the following:

• To attend multidisciplinary team meetings and ward community meetings regularly to aid with recruitment of participants to studies within ELFS.
• To identify participants to studies within ELFS according to specific protocols and guidelines, and assist clinicians to obtain informed consent from those participants
• To provide verbal and written information and support to research participants and their carers for the duration of their involvement in the research project and to assist participants with the completion of questionnaires as necessary
• To co-ordinate treatment, assessment and follow-up as necessary in accordance with research protocols
• To provide support to research teams to obtain confirmation of capacity and capability from Trust Research & Development Departments, Support Offices and Research Ethics Committees
• To ensure that any data collection is conducted according to specific research protocols and adheres to the Data Protection Act 1998 and according to ICH Good Clinical Practice guidelines
• To provide information / reports on recruitment and other research related tasks when requested by the Research Lead
• With appropriate training, take clinical samples for studies; coordinate tissue sample collection and dispatch to relevant departments or research centres

Our mission is to make a positive difference to people's lives by improving the quality of life for all we serve.

Our values are

We Care, We Respect, We are Inclusive – so we are looking for people who live and breathe these qualities when supporting service users and carers, and in their relationships with colleagues in the Trust and our partner organisations.

Communication

• To attend and contribute to Research and other Governance meetings as appropriate
• To attend and contribute to project management group meetings for specific research projects
• To liaise with other Research Assistants within ELFS, research active clinicians, the Research Delivery Service and the wider Trust to facilitate the coordination of research activity
• To provide information and education on research projects within ELFS to interested parties
• To disseminate information on research within ELFS to a range of audiences in a variety of formats
• To maintain a working knowledge of relevant practice and to disseminate up to date information, protocol amendments etc. to personnel working on research projects
• To liaise widely within the ELFS staff group, the broader Trust personnel, and external contacts
• To maintain position of integrity, appreciating the need for confidentiality when dealing with staff and issues appertaining to this post
• To liaise with a wide range of internal and external organisations and teams in support of research within ELFS
• To form and maintain close working relationships with the ELFS Research Lead, Clinical Director, Senior Managers and others as appropriate.
• To offer advice and support to research active staff, patients and carers, as appropriate

Research & Development

• To develop and maintain research related databases.
• To undertake data entry and statistical analysis using appropriate software packages.
• To contribute to the writing up and dissemination of findings of research, clinical audit and quality improvement projects
• To assist with the development of research projects within ELFS, as appropriate
• To develop, catalogue and maintain appropriate filing systems and other office management systems to record research related information
• To assist with the creation and delivery of relevant research related training.
• To contribute to the development of the research capacity of service user and carer interests and organisations

Management of resources

• To assist and support researchers in ELFS in the establishment of an efficient working environment, making the most effective and efficient use of staff, supplies and services.
• To utilise all available resources to the maximum benefit of the service, being aware of resource implications to the service.
• Ensure that agreed Trust policies and procedures are followed.

Policy and/or service development

• To undertake all duties in accordance with the policies, procedures and practices of the Trust and ELFS. It is the post holder's responsibility to ensure they keep up to date with these policies and other policy documents.
• To support the Trust Research Governance Lead to ensure and monitor adherence to current National and Trust research governance policy of studies running within ELFS

Education & training

• To keep up to date with relevant training and develop skills and knowledge by maintaining a programme of development.
• To participate positively in regular supervision and annual appraisal
• Comply with the Trust’s infection control policies and procedures and undertake the necessary training in Infection Prevention and Control as identified by the Trust.

This advert closes on Sunday 24 May 2026