▷ Apply in 3 Minutes Clinical Research Nurse

RCSI - Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland

Organisation/Company RCSI - Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland Department Human Resources Research Field Medical sciences » Cancer research Researcher Profile Recognised Researcher (R2) Positions Master Positions Country Ireland Application Deadline 4 Dec 2025 - 23:45 (Europe/Dublin) Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Hours Per Week 39 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

Job Title: Clinical Research Nurse

Reporting to: Professor Roisin Connolly

Location: Cork University Hospital

Contract/Duration: Specified purpose contract, up to 3 years

Remuneration: CNM1 nursing salary scale – commensurate with experience

Closing Date: 4th of December 2025

RCSI is a community of academic, research, clinical and professional staff working collaboratively to lead the world to better health. Here, you will thrive in an innovative and inclusive atmosphere and your personal development and wellbeing will be supported. We invite you to join us to help deliver on our exciting mission “To educate, nurture and discover for the benefit of human health”. We seek candidates whose experience to date has prepared them to contribute to our commitment to the “Race Equality Action Plan 2025-2029” at RCSI. Our students come from all walks of life and so do we. We hire great people from a wide variety of backgrounds. This makes our university stronger and ensures we hire the best talent.

Innovating for a Healthier Future 2023-2027 is RCSI’s new five-year strategic plan. Through it, RCSI will enhance human health by meeting the health workforce needs of society, creating the insights and inventions that drive health improvements, and working in partnership with patients and the public in support of better health and well-being for all. The strategy unites the RCSI community in supporting the UN Sustainable Development Goals – with a particular focus on Goal 3, which targets good health and well-being.

For each of the last six years, RCSI has been positioned in the Top 300 of universities worldwide in the Times Higher World University Rankings. We are proud that RCSI ranks first in the world for “Good Health and Well-being” in the Times Higher Education #SDG #SDG Impact Rankings 2025. This reflects our commitment to supporting people of all ages to live healthy lives and our work to promote the concepts of well-being and positive health. In 2024, RCSI was delighted to be named one of the Sunday Times Best Places to Work in Ireland.

At RCSI, our core values of Respect, Collaboration, Scholarship, and Innovation are at the heart of everything we do. We are committed to creating an inclusive and supportive environment where every colleague is valued and empowered to thrive. Our dedication to these values ensures that we foster a culture of mutual respect, open collaboration, continuous learning, and innovative thinking. Join us at RCSI, where your contributions will be recognised, and you will be part of a dynamic team making a real impact on global health.

About Our Research

RCSI recognises that excellence in research is critical to the quality of its educational activities, its credibility, and, overall, to its mission to enhance human health. RCSI’s research strategy aims to build upon its strength in translational biomedical and clinical research to deliver transformational, high impact changes in health care. Targeting both Irish national and EU funding, along with increased collaboration with industry, is a major part of the RCSI research strategy. Forging increased collaboration between RCSI PIs and industry is of critical importance to achieving success in this area. RCSI is also committed to provide its researchers with the supports and developmental opportunities to enable them to continuously grow and support their overall career development.

Summary of Post

This Clinical Research position will be based in Cork University Hospital (CUH), under the guidance of Professor Roisin Connolly. The appointee will work as part of an established cancer trials group and multidisciplinary breast cancer research team based in Cork University Hospital (CUH). Our observational clinical trial has been open and recruiting since 2009 from Beaumont Hospital and CUH. The successful candidate will have responsibility to conduct all aspects of the clinical study at the CUH site. Patient recruitment, biobanking, processing of biomaterial, data management and attendance to relevant meetings, will be the central role. Training onto the study protocols will be provided. Dynamic, flexible applicants with a strong clinical skill-set are invited to apply for this position. Candidates with a background in oncology would be welcome to apply and full training will be provided.

Specific Duties

- To coordinate patient recruitment and track participant follow-up

- Ensure participants are fully informed of all details pertaining to the clinical trial/research study

- Phlebotomy and processing of blood and tissue samples

- Data management, including data entry and self-audit

- Develop relationships with key Cork hospital Oncology and Surgical teams

- Attend relevant meetings (including weekly MDT, clinical trial and research meetings)

- Conduct all aspects of the clinical study under ICH GCP and GDPR standards

- Work within standard operating procedures and research protocols associated with the study

- Upkeep clinical research documentation including ethics documentation

- Where appropriate, arrange sample transfer to team members or collaborators

- Review research protocols and provide input to site study feasibility

- Carry out other duties as appropriate to the post that may be assigned by the Principal Investigator(s)

Qualifications/ Experience (Essential):

- BSc Degree in Nursing (and hold a current registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland OR have completed the RCSI level 9 module for clinical research nurses OR have completed the RCSI Physicians Associate MSc OR Clinical Research MSc OR equivalent)

- Have proven clinical research experience, including recruitment and patient data management or a strong background in oncology nursing and a willingness to partake in research training.

Required skills

- The ability to work within in a safe manner, ensuring professional accountability and adherence to hospital ethics, policies and protocol

- Excellent IT skills including Microsoft Office, Excel

- Have excellent oral and written communication skills

- Have excellent organisational skills and meticulous record keeping

- Have the interpersonal skills required to integrate as part of a diverse research team

- The ability to work independently under self-direction

- Post Graduate Diploma in Clinical Research (Nursing)

We are all too aware that imposter syndrome and the confidence gap can sometimes stop fantastic candidates putting themselves forward, so please do submit an application — we’d love to hear from you.

Application Process

Please apply online through the RCSI careers portal on the closing date with your CV and cover letter. Informal enquiries can be directed to Professor Roisin Connolly (roisin.connolly@ucc.ie) who is happy to answer any queries about the role. Please note we do not accept CVs directly.

Click here to read our Recruitment and Selection Policy for Researcher.

Garda vetting and occupational health review may be required for this role, depending on the nature of the duties and responsibilities. Further information will be provided during the recruitment process.

Eligibility to Work in Ireland

Visa sponsorship is available for candidates who fully meet the essential criteria of the role. Candidates who require a work permit or hosting agreement are welcome to apply.

Proof of eligibility documentation will be required at a later stage in the recruitment process. Please note that sponsorship is subject to approval by the relevant Irish authorities and role-specific eligibility.

Employee Benefits

At RCSI, we help care for our people so they can focus on our mission to Educate, nurture and discover for the benefit of human health. RCSI truly goes above and beyond to support its employees, ensuring they have everything they need to thrive both personally and professionally. Here’s a glimpse of the fantastic benefits available:

Health and Wellbeing:

- Our Inspire Programme promotes the importance of taking care of both our general health and mental health. Inspire manages the Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) offered through SpectrumLife. Past events held by Inspire have included, workshops on mindfulness practices, yoga, nutritional advice, financial advice on mortgages, pensions & health insurance from leading experts, fitness challenges, baking competitions, weight loss programmes, annual flu vaccination campaign and many more.

- You can also enjoy access to an onsite gym for just €10 per month.

- Maintaining a healthy work-life balance is crucial for fostering employee well‑being, productivity, and overall satisfaction. At RCSI, we offer flexible working arrangements, study leave, and career breaks. In addition to 20 days of annual leave, employees receive an extra 6.5 days of university privilege days, which occur annually around the Christmas and Easter breaks.

Family Benefits:

- RCSI offers enhanced family leave to our working parents with fully paid Maternity, Adoptive, Paternity and Surrogacy Leave. We also offer the first two weeks of Parents leave fully paid for, as well as the option to take Parental Leave until your child is 18 years old. We provide access to Platform 55, a new Parents Platform to support staff before, during, and after becoming a parent. We also offer flexible working, discounted Giraffe crèche services of up to 20% and a Parents and Carers’ Network.

- Benefit from automatic enrolment in a pension scheme with Willis Towers Watson with the employer contributions increasing with your length of service, Death in Service of up to 4 times your salary, long‑term illness and disability income replacement, and free advice on health, motor, and home insurance.

Discounted Services:

- Avail of discounted GP services, Taxsaver commuter tickets, the Bike‑to‑Work scheme, free eye tests at the National Optometry Centre, and discounted parking at St. Stephen's Green/RCSI car park.

Recognition:

- At RCSI, we value and recognise the contributions of our staff through various awards and events, such as Long Service recognition, the Vice Chancellor Staff Awards, and through Research Day.

Professional Growth:

- RCSI’s Staff Learning and Development is committed to providing colleagues with opportunities and support to help them reach their full potential and thrive at work. Offerings include a comprehensive programme of staff training, management and leadership development, mentoring, coaching and funding support for further study.

Staff Networks:

- Additionally, we support a range of staff networks, including the Women’s Network, Postdoctoral Staff Network, Parents & Carers’ Network, Project Manager’s Network, LGBTI+ Network, Age Friendly Network etc. These networks help RCSI to foster a sense of community and inclusivity.

Sports and Social Club:

- Engage in a variety of activities such as Yoga, Pilates and a variety of different Fitness classes. Enjoy social evenings, Book Clubs, Summer BBQs and one‑off events like the Taste of Dublin, Bloom, Dublin Horse Show and Dublin Zoo. We also have a variety of discount tickets for shows and events through the year.

Note: This job description may be subject to change to reflect the evolving requirements of the Department and RCSI. Similar vacancies that arise in the next 6 months may be filled from the pool of applicants that apply for this position. RCSI is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their gender, civil status, family status, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability or race. RCSI is committed to embedding equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) across everything we do. This ensures we can all work and learn in an environment defined by dignity and respect. Eligibility to work in Ireland is a requirement of this role, Proof of eligibility documentation will be required at a later date. Under limited and specific circumstances (research/ specialist roles) RCSI may be in a position to seek a hosting agreement and/or work permits. Employees are required to undertake 6 months service in their current role before applying for other internal opportunities, unless agreed in advance by the SMT representative

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