Postdoctoral Research Manager

Bipolar is a severe mental health condition, characterised by extreme mood changes that range from manic highs to suicidal lows, affecting 2% of the UK population, and we are seeking a candidate who can work as part of our developing engagement in research, alongside our dedicated team of staff and volunteers in realising our ambition of making a far reaching and meaningful difference to the everyday lives of those impacted by Bipolar.

The Postdoctoral Research Manager will assist the Director of Research in running Bipolar UK’s Research Division:

• working with the charity and its multiple partner projects and collaborators to deliver on our current research commitments
• to develop the long-term sustainability of the Bipolar UK Research Division

This is an exciting role which will combine overseeing and managing existing and prospective research partnerships with research teams around the country and world, and taking part in the development of Bipolar UK-led research.

Current research partners include teams at UCL, Oxford, Cardiff and the GW4 Alliance, Swansea, King’s College London, Manchester, Birmingham, Newcastle, Lancaster, Liverpool, together with international organisations such as The Global Bipolar Cohort and the International Society for Bipolar Disorders. Our aim at Bipolar UK is to integrate research into the charity in a way which combines more traditional elements of facilitating lived experience involvement alongside actively contributing to and directing research. We are also striving to increase awareness of bipolar and to campaign for more bipolar-specific research, addressing the ‘bipolar gap’ within research and services.

Bipolar UK is very much a user-driven organisation. Approximately one-third of our staff, including our Director of Research, have lived experience of bipolar themselves, while many more have lived experience through family or close friends. Although lived experience is not essential for this role, we especially welcome applications from those with lived experience of bipolar and will expect anyone who takes on this role to have insight into the needs and priorities of the bipolar community, and a commitment to undertaking research which focuses on bipolar.

Bipolar UK is a warm and supportive working environment. The charity has a strong commitment to sustainable working practices and the well-being of its staff.  Initially this role is for 2 years. However, research at Bipolar UK is expanding fast and it is highly likely that it will be possible to extend the role beyond this period, dependent upon new funding.  

We are looking for someone who is committed to mental health and bipolar research in a way which reflects the priorities of the bipolar community both in the UK and worldwide, understands co-production with people who share lived experience and can explore diverse types of research questions and methodologies and working with a diverse range of researchers and research projects.

For full recruitment pack and how to apply please see our website via the 'Apply' button above.

For questions before application please email research@bipolaruk.org.

Closing date: 9:00am Monday 14.07.2025