Research Associate – Clinical Research Nurse (HRB-CRFG), University of Galway

Summary of Post

Applications are invited from suitably qualified candidates for a full-time fixed term appointment as Clinical Research Associate/Research Nurses with the HRB Clinical Research Facility Galway at Galway University Hospitals and the University of Galway (Ref. No. University of Galway 069-24)

The initial post will be for a period of two and a half years, with the potential to extend subject to research funding availability.

The HRB Clinical Research Facility Galway (CRFG) provides the infrastructure, physical space, facilities, expertise and culture needed to support bioscience and medical research. We focus on studies aimed at understanding a range of diseases and translating this knowledge into regulatory approved advances in patient care. Research nurses work with multidisciplinary teams to improve our understanding of a variety of diseases and to develop new tests and treatments to help tackle these diseases. The CRFG aims to provide research participants and patients with the latest advances in areas such as Cancer, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Paediatrics, Endocrinology, Neurovascular Disease, Critical care, Cardiovascular Disease, Psychiatry, Gastroenterology, Renal Disease, Radiation Oncology, Dermatology and Respiratory Illness. Research undertaken may be interventional (e.g. novel drugs, medical devices) or non- interventional (e.g. registries) and work will be assigned based on the existing and arising needs of the CRFG research programme.

Job Description:

The successful candidate will be part of a multi-disciplinary team who engage with research personnel, interdisciplinary teams and clinicians to support clinical research activities in the CRFG, assisting with the planning, implementation and coordination of clinical research studies.

The purpose of the role is to ensure that the conduct of clinical research studies within the CRFG is in compliance with the currently approved protocol/amendment(s), ensuring adherence to CRFG standard operating procedures (SOP’s), applicable regulations, and the principles of Good Clinical Practice (ICH-GCP).

The research nurses will work under the direction of Principal Investigators (PI) and with a highly qualified team to initiate, screen, recruit, adhere to study and institutional protocols, undertake clinical assessments, manage research data and documentation and support the close out of clinical studies conducted within the CRFG.

Main Duties & Responsibilities:

  • Adhere to CRFG SOPs and associated processes for clinical research
  • Adhere to nursing procedures within the CRFG and
  • Support the setup of clinical research studies in line with CRFG and institutional processes
  • Plan and conduct clinical research activities to ensure the smooth operation of each

Study within the CRFG in compliance with the study protocol, ICH-GCP and applicable regulations.

  • Participate in the education process of research participants about their disease, clinical research participation plans, gold standard treatment options and outcomes.
  • Ensure participants are informed of all details pertaining to the clinical study/research project prior to their
  • Screen and contribute to obtaining fully informed consent from participants enrolling into CRFG
  • Help to meet study specific target recruitment projections as agreed by sponsor and
  • Contribute to the collation of metrics for activities undertaken at the
  • Ensure participant confidentiality and dignity is maintained at all times during all study related
  • Upkeep of the individual research documentation including site files, case report forms, monitoring arrangements, data correction documentation etc. as they pertain to the CRFG and Study.
  • Provide nursing knowledge, expertise, and care to participants participating in study protocols and to nursing and other health care professional colleagues.
  • Work within a multi-disciplinary team to evaluate and treat clinical issues in line with research
  • Facilitate the ongoing education of multi-disciplinary teams with respect to ICH-GCP, specific study Protocol, and research requirements.
  • Ensure continuity of participant and patient care by liaising with outside health professionals and those who are involved with patient clinical care.
  • Utilise agreed protocols to deal with referrals and enquiries from other departments/ hospitals/
  • Promote a safe clinical environment for research participants, patients, visitors and staff of the
  • Undertaking further education as appropriate to the
  • Attend investigator meetings (national and international) and educational conferences where applicable
  • Any other duties assigned commensurate to this level of post

Qualifications/Skills required:

Essential Criteria

  • Successfully completed degree level or equivalent nursing education
  • Current registration with an appropriate division of An Bord Altranais
  • Have a minimum of 4 years working as a qualified nurse
  • Excellent communication skills
  • Good problem solving and organizational skills
  • Proven ability to work as part of a multi-disciplinary
  • Strong IT skills, including MS Office applications
  • Competence (or willingness to train) in phlebotomy procedures

Desirable Criteria

  • Completed the RCSI level 9 module for clinical research nurses (or equivalent)
  • Experience in the field of clinical or translational research and/or other academic studies
  • Certified ICH-Good Clinical Practice training

NB: Gárda vetting is a requirement for this post.

Salary: Postdoctoral Researcher/Research Associate Pay scale €42,782 – €54,965 per annum, (subject to the project’s funding limitations), and pro rata for shorter and/or part-time contracts. Default position for all new public sector appointments is the 1st point of the salary scale. This may be reviewed, and consideration afforded to appointment at a higher point on the payscale, where evidence of prior years’ equivalent experience is accepted in determining placement on the scale above point 1, subject to the maximum of the scale.

(Research Salary Scales – University of Galway)

Continuing Professional Development/Training:

Researchers at University of Galway are encouraged to avail of a range of training and development opportunities designed to support their personal career development plans. University of Galway provides continuing professional development supports for all researchers seeking to build their own career pathways either within or beyond academia. Researchers are encouraged to engage with our Researcher Development Centre (RDC) upon commencing employment – see HERE for further information.

Further information on research and working at University of Galway is available on Research at University of Galway

For information on moving to Ireland please see www.euraxess.ie

Further information about HRB Clinical Research Facility Galway is available at https://www.universityofgalway.ie/hrbcrfg/

To Apply:

Applications to include a covering letter, CV, and the contact details of three referees should be sent, via e-mail (in word or PDF only) to crfg@universityofgalway.ie

Please put reference number University of Galway 069-24 in subject line of e-mail application.

Closing date for receipt of applications is extended to 5.00pm (Irish Time) 18th April 2024

 

A panel may be formed for future posts.

We reserve the right to re-advertise or extend the closing date for this post

All positions are recruited in line with Open, Transparent, Merit (OTM) and Competency based recruitment University of Galway is an equal opportunities employer.

Closing Date

18th April 2024