Senior Research Nurse  

Location: Department of Paediatrics, Draper Lab, Centre for Clinical Vaccinology and Tropical Medicine, Churchill Hospital, Headington, Oxford

About the role

We have an exciting opportunity to join the Draper Group in the Department of Paediatrics as our Senior Research Nurse – Malaria Vaccine Programme.

You will play an important role in supporting the malaria vaccine studies across Africa. In addition, the role will include support for the vaccine and human malaria challenge studies in Oxford.

You will be responsible for supporting the design, delivery and execution of clinical trials of this multi-stage malaria vaccine candidate through Phase 1 optimisation and Phase 2 efficacy testing at both existing and new collaborative partner sites across East and West Africa. In addition, the role will include support for the vaccine and human malaria challenge studies in Oxford. You will provide visible leadership through collaboration with great communication and organisational skills.

The post will involve travel to one or more African sites (approximately 2-4 short trips per year) providing some experience, working in low resource settings. As such the postholder will develop a close working relationship with the overseas clinical trial teams, overseas Principal Investigators, the group’s Vaccine Supply Manager, Oxford Clinical Research Fellows and Project Managers. This is to ensure the smooth running of the clinical trials in accordance with the specific study protocols and departmental standard operating procedures. The postholder will require good knowledge of the Clinical Trials Regulations 2025 subsequent amendments and associated requirements.

You will be working in a growing department within the Medical Sciences Division. The Department of Paediatrics is a world leader in child health research and hosts internationally renowned research programmes in drug development, gastroenterology, haematology, HIV, immunology, neuroimaging, neuromuscular diseases and vaccinology.  The Draper Group under the lead of Simon Draper has a strong translational focus that spans iterative vaccine design, antibody immunology and experimental medicine, including studies where vaccines are tested for early-stage efficacy using a human malaria challenge model. Recently, the success of the group’s leading blood-stage malaria vaccine candidate, RH5.1, led to a Phase 2 field trial in Burkina Faso which demonstrated partial efficacy against clinical malaria in 5–17-month-old children, a world-first for the blood-stage malaria vaccine field.

This position is offered full-time on a fixed-term contract initially for 24 months with the possibility to extend provided further external funding is available.

About you

You will have clinical experience, i.e a fully NMC registered nurse, supplemented by relevant post-qualification experience. You will have detailed knowledge of clinical trial design and significant experience in implementation. You will have extensive experience of working in a UKCRC registered Clinical Trials Unit. You should demonstrate the ability to support protocol writing and in the preparation of trial documents in line with regulatory, clinical and logistical needs of the study. The successful postholder should be willing and able to travel to trial sites in Africa.

Application Process

You will be required to upload a CV and Supporting Statement as part of your online application. Your application will not be processed if you do not include both documents.

The Supporting Statement should include a cover letter and should also clearly describe how you meet each of the selection criteria listed in the job description.

Only online applications received before 12.00 midday on Tuesday 3rd March 2026 will be considered. Interviews will be held as soon as possible thereafter.

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