Senior Research Assistant (OA bipolar group)
NHS AfC: Band 5
Main area Mental Health Research Grade NHS AfC: Band 5 Contract Fixed term: 12 months (Flexible working and job shares considered.) Hours Full time – 37.5 hours per week (Happy to discuss flexible working) Job ref 437-8355475
Site 1st Floor, Central Park Hub, Unit B Town Manchester Salary £32,073 – £39,043 per annum pro rata Salary period Yearly Closing 02/11/2026 23:59
Job overview
Older adults with bipolar disorder experience a range of complex and often under-recognised needs, including cognitive difficulties, physical and mental health comorbidities, reduced social support and difficulties with psychosocial functioning. This research project aims to address this gap by co-producing a group-based psychosocial intervention for older adults with bipolar and their carers.
The research is funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Research Programme for Social Care (RPSC). It is a collaboration between Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust and the University of Manchester. The project’s Lead Investigators are Dr Elizabeth Tyler and Professor Steven Jones.
The post holder will be based with the Research and Innovation Department at Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust, which hosts a number of large mental health trials and other research studies. The post holder will also have close links with the University of Manchester, School of Health Sciences where the Lead Investigator is based.
We strive to be an inclusive research unit, and we welcome applicants from a diverse range of communities to apply for the post, including people from diverse ethnic communities, people who identify as LGBTQIA+, and/or who identify as having a disability or as being neurodivergent.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will be expected to have proven and substantial experience in conducting research; for example, by having previously assisted in the running of a funded research study and/or a postgraduate (Masters or PhD) study. The post-holder will contribute to a four-stage programme of research:
- Systematic review: Lead a systematic review of existing psychosocial interventions for people with bipolar, their carers, and older adults with bipolar disorder, to inform intervention development.
- Qualitative interviews: Lead participant recruitment and conducting qualitative interviews with older adults with bipolar and carers to explore their experiences, needs and preferences. The postholder will contribute to the qualitative analysis of interview data.
- Co-production: Supporting the facilitation of co-production groups involving older adults with bipolar, carers and professionals to develop and refine the intervention. The postholder will contribute to the qualitative analysis of co-production data and its integration into intervention development.
- Intervention refinement: Contributing to the final review and refinement of the intervention, ensuring that the perspectives of people with lived experience, carers and professionals are incorporated.
The postholder will contribute to participant recruitment, systematic review activities, qualitative data collection and analysis, co-production sessions, intervention development and dissemination of research findings.
Working for our organisation
Greater Manchester Mental Health (GMMH) Foundation Trust employs over 7000 members of staff, who deliver services from more than 122 locations.
We provide inpatient and community-based mental health care for people living in Bolton, the city of Manchester, Salford, Trafford and the borough of Wigan, and a wide range of specialist mental health and substance misuse services across Greater Manchester, the north west of England and beyond.
Greater Manchester is one of the world’s most innovative, original and exciting places to live and work. From the beauty of the surrounding countryside to the heart of the vibrant inner city with great shopping, entertainment and dining options.
Wherever you go you will experience a great northern welcome with people famed for their warmth, humour and generosity.
Our people enjoy their work, have opportunities to learn and develop their skills and are encouraged to generate new ideas that improve care for our service users.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Please see attached job description and person specification
- 27 days annual leave plus bank holidays rising to 29 after 5 years and 33 days after 10 years
Person specification
Education/ Qualifications
- Good Honours Degree in a related subject (2:1 or above)
- Master’s Degree or equivalent experience
- Doctoral degree (completed or submitted) in a health / mental health related subject.
Experience
- Experience of conducting qualitative research in mental health settings (e.g. conducting individual or focus group interviews, transcription of interview data, analysis or coding of data and writing up) for stand- alone study, such as a Masters or PhD thesis or part of a funded study/trial.
- Experience of thematic analysis, framework analysis or other relevant methodology.
- Experience of conducting a systematic literature review.
- Experience of working with colleagues in NHS settings.
Knowledge
- Have computer literacy – advanced skills in database management, spreadsheets and word processing packages.
- Knowledge of NVIVO and Power point.
- Knowledge of Consolidated Framework of Implementation Research
Skills and Abilities
- Ability to take responsibility for planning and implementation of specific elements of the study.
- Ability to engage service users and staff participants in a research project.
- Ability to prepare and present research reports and presentations with clarity and enthusiasm.
Other Requirements
- The job holder must be assessed by Occupational Health as having a level of fitness to carry out duties/tasks after reasonable adjustments under the terms of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 have been made.
- Full UK Driving licence (subject to Disability Discrimination Legislation) Or an ability to travel independently across the footprint of the Trust and research sites as required by the role.
Important Information about working for GMMH:All positions within the Trust are subject to satisfactory pre-employment checks, for further information on the checks required please visit the NHS Employers website www.nhsemployers.org
The Trust mandates all post holders who require a DBS for their role to subscribe to the DBS Update Service. You will be required to enrol for this service for a fee of £16 per year and maintain registration throughout your employment with GMMH.
Applicants are encouraged to apply for posts at Greater Manchester Mental Health who have direct experience of mental health, learning disability or drug and alcohol services either as a service user or a carer.
The Trust is also committed to safeguarding children, young people and vulnerable adults and requires all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
We are aspiring to ensure our workforce is representative of the diverse communities that we serve, and we are strongly committed to removing barriers to employment for candidates from under-represented groups, for example BAME, Disabled and LGBT+ communities. If you would like to have an informal chat about the recruitment process for this role or would value some additional support, we’d love to hear from you.
Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) when writing job applications
A candidate may utilise the help of AI when writing job application.The assessment of an application is made on its entirety and most times AI-generated content does not fully grasp the context and requirements of the job one applies for thus producing inaccurate and misleading information, especially in the supporting statement section of an application that can lack real life examples of one’s achievements, success and challenges.
We have added a disclaimer to our application process advising that the use of AI is monitored. GMMH reserves the right to follow up with a candidate at the interview on specific responses and those examples used in the supporting statement to explore it further.
Sponsorship
We are proud to be an approved sponsor for the Skilled Worker visa. Applications from individuals who require sponsorship will be considered alongside all other applications. Please be aware that not all roles are eligible for sponsorship. You can review the list of eligible roles and salary requirements on the UK Government’s website – click here .
If you are offered a role with us and you require sponsorship, we will check your eligibility in line with the information on the above website. Your offer of employment could be withdrawn if the role is not eligible for sponsorship, and you are not otherwise able to evidence your right to work in the UK.
The Home Office introduces new changes from 22/07/2025 that impact the health and care sector, you may wish to familiarise with it here .
Do you have experience outside the NHS?
We want to attract and retain people with diverse skills and experience, to deliver inclusive healthcare services to our communities.
We will consider relevant experience outside the NHS to calculate your salary on appointment. Please contact our Recruitment Team for more information.
**Please note, this vacancy may be closed at any time if sufficient applications have been received**
Employer certification / accreditation badges
You must have appropriate UK professional registration.
The postholder will have regular contact with vulnerable people and as such this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.
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