The Clinical Research Facility (CRF) in the state-of-the-art Quadram Institute is home to a host of research initiatives to aid the development of new treatments and improve patient care.

The facility, which is run by the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital (NNUH), brings together researchers and scientists from the hospital, Quadram Institute Bioscience (QIB), University of East Anglia (UEA) and across the Norwich Research Park.

The CRF is home to a host of research studies into a range of health conditions, involving patients and volunteers.

Because of its close association with the NNUH Endoscopy Centre and links with QIB and UEA, the CRF is perfect for doing research into food and nutrition. The results of these trials will lead to new strategies and treatments for improving health and preventing related disease.

The NNUH-run CRF is the hospital’s primary facility for all clinical trials that do not need to be located within the main hospital building.

It provides a mixture of outpatient clinical and laboratory space as well as a food-preparation area for diet-related studies.

  • For direct enquiries, please contact Felicia Rowe, Clinical Research Facility Operations Manager, email felicia.rowe@nnuh.nhs.uk

Reception space

The  CRF has a fully functioning and staffed reception area to manage and welcome patients and participants into the unit

Clinical space

  • The CRF has six clinical rooms with clinical equipment and computers
  • Three screening rooms with computers
  • A multi-function clinic room with 5 bariatric phlebotomy couches
  • Two en-suite clinical rooms with bariatric hospital beds
  • Short-term use of document, sample and food storage, subject to availability


DXA Scanner

The CRF houses a dual-energy X-ray facility (DXA) that provides measurements for research involving body composition (fat and fat-free mass) and bone mineral (content and density) either in the whole body, or specific parts of the body (limbs, trunk etc.).

Laboratory

There is a dedicated CRF laboratory for immediate sample processing. There are also fridges and freezers for short-term storage prior to sample transfer to researchers’ own laboratories or the Norwich Research Park Biorepository with which the CRF maintains a close liaison.

The laboratory is equipped with ultracold -80C freezer, four bench top centrifuges, sample fridge, sample -20c freezer, microfuge, vortex, and two sets of pipetmen kits. The laboratory is also be stocked with basic laboratory  supplies

Catering/Kitchen facilities

The CRF has a general kitchen for the preparation of meals and refreshments for study participants and patients, with a serving hatch opening directly into the participants’ lounge/dining room and also a research kitchen equipped to commercial standards for batch preparation of food products and standardised test meals.

Research food storage facilities

The CRF has access to an on-site -40°C walk-in food storage freezer, along with several domestic food fridges and freezers located within the CRF.

Participants’ Lounge and Diner

The lounge and diner will be available for the provision of study test meals, breakfasts for fasted study participants and general refreshments for participants and patients accompanying guests.

Members of the public opportunity at NNUH Research: Public Research Contributor Role

Closing date: 17 March 2024

An opportunity has arisen for a Public Research Contributor role at NIHR Norfolk Clinical Research Facility in the NNUH research department.

We are looking for members of public who have:

  • an interest in health and care research
  • own IT access- to be able to access video meetings, emails, website content and documents online
  • good communication skills including active listening and speaking in meetings
  • availability to attend daytime meetings at least on a quarterly basis.

No previous experience necessary, we can provide training to help you to grow into the role. This could include having a mentor to support you and shadowing staff within the research department.

To apply, please send a personal statement to us which details:

  • why you are applying for this role
  • what skills and experience you have which would be helpful in the role and
  • about any training and support you feel you would need.

Please make any inquiries or send your application to nihrnorfolkcrf@nnuh.nhs.uk or phone: 01603 286615