Assistant Clinical Research Practitioner

Role overview

The Assistant Clinical Research Practitioner (ACRP) will support Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust’s drive to expand and improve mental health research activity. The role is backed by the Greater Manchester Regional Research Delivery Network (RRDN) and is focused on increasing participation from GMMH service users, their families, carers, and staff in high-quality studies on the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) portfolio.

The post sits within the Research and Innovation (R&I) department, which brings together 11 research units led by internationally recognised researchers across areas such as psychosis, psychological trauma, digital interventions, youth mental health, and other specialisms within mental health. These teams work to deliver studies and clinical trials that improve care for people with lived experience of mental health conditions, as well as for their families and carers.

The successful candidate will work across GMMH research units and clinical services throughout the Trust to strengthen recruitment into NIHR portfolio studies. This will involve using both established and developing processes to support research participation across the GMMH footprint.

Main purpose of the post

As a central part of the R&I team, the post holder will help existing research units recruit effectively into clinical studies. A key part of the job is building strong working relationships with local clinical teams, keeping them informed about active studies, and helping clinicians identify the best research opportunities for the people in their care.

Work will often include supporting teams to review caseloads for potential participants, contributing to multidisciplinary discussions, and making sure that opportunities to take part in research are consistently offered to service users in line with the NHS Constitution. The post holder may also contact potential participants directly on behalf of clinical teams to explain relevant studies and support suitable people into research.

About the Trust

Greater Manchester Mental Health Foundation Trust employs more than 7,000 staff and delivers services from over 122 locations. It provides inpatient and community mental health services for people in Bolton, Manchester, Salford, Trafford, and Wigan, along with specialist mental health and substance misuse services across Greater Manchester, the north west of England, and beyond.

Greater Manchester is presented as a lively and forward-looking place to live and work, with access to countryside, a vibrant city centre, and a reputation for warm, welcoming people. The Trust also highlights a workplace culture that supports learning, skill development, and new ideas that improve care for service users.

Contact for informal enquiries

For an informal discussion, contact Ali Dawber, Clinical Research Delivery Manager, at alison.dawber@gmmh.nhs.uk or 07584 336 980.