Lead Research Nurse (Brain Health)

UK Biobank Limited; Cheadle; Hybrid; GBP 52,000; Full time

Job summary

A health research organization in Cheadle seeks a Lead Research Nurse for a new Brain Health Study aimed at understanding neurodegenerative conditions. This role involves guiding dementia-related clinical practice, designing participant-friendly workflows, and coordinating teams across multiple sites. Successful candidates will possess extensive experience in dementia care, strong training skills, and the ability to conduct assessments ethically. The position enjoys competitive compensation and additional benefits.

Benefits

26 Days’ Annual Leave

Holiday Buy Scheme

Birthday Leave

USS Pension Scheme

Healthcare Cash Plan

Enhanced Family Leave

Cycle to Work Scheme

Season Ticket Loan

Professional Subscriptions

Learning budget

Free On-Site Gym

Subsidised Canteen Lunches

Free Car Parking

Employee Discounts Portal

Employee Assistance Programme

Annual Flu Vaccination

Life Assurance Cover

Qualifications

• Extensive clinical or research experience with individuals living with dementia or neurodegenerative conditions.
• Proven ability to apply ethical dementia care practices within a research setting.
• Experience of developing and implementing study protocols and SOP’s.

Responsibilities

• Provide expert guidance on dementia care and ensure compliance with ethical standards.
• Design participant-friendly protocols and workflows.
• Coordinate clinical teams across study sites.

Skills

Clinical experience with dementia

Dementia-friendly communication

Qualitative and quantitative assessment skills

Training and simplifying information

Participant safety management

Job description

Lead Research Nurse (Brain Health)

Application Deadline: 11 January 2026

Department: Imaging

Employment Type: Fixed Term Contract

Location: Cheadle

Reporting To: Programme Manager

Compensation: £51,885 / year

Description

At UK Biobank, we are developing an ambitious new Brain Health Study to better understand neurodegenerative conditions such as dementia and Parkinson’s. As our participants have aged, this study will allow us to explore disease progression in greater depth, combining advanced imaging with in-person, dementia-aware assessments. Designed in collaboration with global experts and informed by participant involvement, the study represents an exciting moment for our research.

This is a unique opportunity to contribute to a large-scale project that will help shape the blueprint for future dementia research. As an organisation that is both inclusive and innovative, we’re committed to delivering a study that supports participants respectfully and enhances national research capability.

Can you do it?

Working closely with our Imaging Programme Manager and wider teams, you will be the Lead Research Nurse across the Brain Health Study, playing a central role in ensuring a high-quality, dementia-aware participant experience.

You will guide dementia-related clinical practice within the study, ensuring approaches are ethical, person-centred, and aligned with regulatory expectations. You’ll contribute to designing participant-friendly workflows, refine assessment processes, and ensure continual improvement as the study evolves.

This role also involves coordinating teams at multiple sites, delivering training, and maintaining safe, supportive clinical environments for participants and study partners.

You will be responsible for:

• Providing expert guidance on dementia care and ensuring compliance with ethical and regulatory standards. Ensuring initiatives are applied across the Brain Health Study and other participant facing projects within UK Biobank.
• Contributing to the design of participant-friendly protocols using dementia-aware and person-centred approaches.
• Developing and refining operational work-flows for participant assessments. Ensuring continuous improvement of processes and protocols.
• Delivering relevant training to implement the brain health protocols. Enhancing the dementia-related knowledge and skills of the clinical staffing team, Participant Contact Centre and broader project team. This may include training related to neurodegenerative disease assessment tools, capacity assessment, and communication with participants and study partners.
• Coordinating and supporting clinical teams across all study sites, ensuring high standards in consent, phlebotomy, and data collection.

Is this 'you'?

To be successful, you will have:

• Extensive clinical or research experience with individuals living with dementia or neurodegenerative conditions.
• Proven ability to apply ethical dementia care practices within a research setting, including person-centred approaches and dementia-friendly communication.
• Skills in both qualitative and quantitative dementia assessment methods.
• Experience of developing and implementing study protocols and SOP’s
• Strong background in training and simplifying and communicating complex information for diverse audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to manage participant safety, including safeguarding, consent and capacity assessments, adverse event procedures.

Working hours are 35-hours per week, Monday to Friday with some flexibility, located in Greater Manchester (initially based in Stockport with a move to Manchester Science Park mid to late 2026). Travel will be required across all UK study sites.

Our passion for diversity and equality means creating a work environment for all employees that is welcoming, respectful, engaging, and enriched with opportunities for personal and professional development.

Your Wellbeing Matters to Us

We’re proud to offer a benefits package that supports your health, financial security, and work-life balance - right from day one. Here’s what you can look forward to as part of our team:

• 🗓️ 26 Days’ Annual Leave - Plus Bank Holidays, increasing with length of service.
• ➕ Holiday Buy Scheme - Purchase up to one additional week of leave per year.
• 🎂 Birthday Leave - Enjoy a paid day off to celebrate your birthday.
• 🏦 USS Pension Scheme - Hybrid defined benefit/defined contribution pension plan.
• 🏥 Healthcare Cash Plan - Claim back costs for everyday health expenses.
• 👶 Enhanced Family Leave - Available from day one for maternity, paternity, and adoption.
• 🚴 Cycle to Work Scheme - Save on a new bike and accessories.
• 🚆 Season Ticket Loan - Interest-free loan to help with commuting costs.
• 📄 Professional Subscriptions - Reimbursement where applicable.
• 📚 Learning budget - Annual funds for courses, books, or anything else that fuels your personal and professional growth.
• 🏋️ Free On-Site Gym - Stay active with access to our gym facilities.
• 🍽️ Subsidised Canteen Lunches - Enjoy healthy meals at reduced prices.
• 🚗 Free Car Parking - On-site parking available for staff.
• 🛍️ Employee Discounts Portal - Access to savings across retail, travel, and more.
• 📞 Employee Assistance Programme - Confidential support for personal and work-related issues.
• 💉 Annual Flu Vaccination - Stay protected with free flu jabs.
• 🛡️ Life Assurance Cover - Financial protection for your loved ones.

#LI-Hybrid

The job advert closing date may change, so we recommend that if you are planning to apply that you do so without delay.