NRS Primary Care Network invites applications for high-profile leadership role
A vacancy is now open for the role of NHS Research Scotland (NRS) Primary Care Network Manager with applications being invited up to the end of Friday 26 June
The successful candidate will oversee running of the network — a Chief Scientist Office (CSO) funded initiative established in 2002 which works to consistently improve the quality and quantity of primary care research conducted across Scotland.
The national network is centrally coordinated from the University of Dundee and operates from five regional nodes with staff based in Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Inverness.
The post holder is expected to “lead, manage and develop the NRS Primary Care Network, its staff and its budget, and ensure that national targets including recruitment of patients and professionals to studies are achieved”.
It is considered “a high-profile leadership role with Scottish and UK-wide responsibilities” including developing and maintaining effective working links between CSO, NRS, and senior academics in Scottish Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) undertaking primary care research. These encompass the four academic primary care departments in Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh and Glasgow.
The successful candidate is also expected to develop and maintain links with counterparts in the English, Northern Ireland and Welsh Primary Care Research Networks, and with leaders of other parts of the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Clinical Research Network.
The manager will share responsibility with Network Champion and Clinical Lead Dr Bhautesh Jani in representing the network’s international interests.
- External candidates are invited to apply as well as those currently working at the University of Dundee through the OneUniversity portal — full details, including salary and contract type, can be found through these links
The interview panel believe it is an exciting time to join the Primary Care Network as the Practice Embedded Research Unit (PERU) model starts to grow, developing a Primary Care research infrastructure to support Scotland’s ambition of improving patient access to research by transforming how commercial clinical research is delivered in primary and community care settings.
Scotland’s PERUs are funded by the Voluntary Scheme for Branded Medicines Pricing, Access and Growth (VPAG) Investment Programme, enabling a move from ad-hoc primary care research activity to a structured, sustainable model, with a dedicated research delivery team working across multiple locations.
Dr Jani said: “We look forward to reviewing applications and interviewing the most promising candidates for this key role.
“We are keen to see the new network manager lead by example through strong team working with a sustained focus on increasing both the numbers of primary care studies and participants, the ability to forge collaborative new connections, and to progress wider ambitions such as advancing the PERU model.
“Penicuik Medical Practice was the first PERU to open earlier this year, turning aims for research to be delivered closer to home into reality, with many more GP practices now expressing interest in this opportunity.
“Ultimately, we’re looking for a candidate with demonstrable experience of clinical or health services related management and with a similar level of capability in research project management.”
Please contact Dr Jani or Dr Ellen Drost if you would like to discuss further prior to application.
Publication date: 19th June 2026
