Postdoctoral Researcher; Cultural Psychiatry and Health Inequalities (CHiMES)

Location: Department of Psychiatry, Warneford Hospital, Oxford OX3 7JX

The University of Oxford is a stimulating work environment, which enjoys an international reputation as a world-class centre of excellence. Our research plays a key role in tackling many global challenges, from reducing our carbon emissions to developing vaccines during a pandemic.

The Department of Psychiatry is based on the Warneford Hospital site in Oxford – a friendly, welcoming place of work with an international reputation for excellence. The Department has a substantial research programme, with major funding from Medical Research Council (MRC), Wellcome Trust and National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) and provides highly rated medical training in psychiatry. The Head of Department is Professor Belinda Lennox.

We are looking to appoint a postdoctoral researcher to work on a project led by Professor Kam Bhui and Dr Roisin Mooney in Oxford. The project investigates methods to improve postpartum outcomes of severe mental illnesses in ethnically diverse mothers (POSIE) with the aim of developing and co-designing new approaches to prevention and care.

About the Role

The post is funded to 30 November 2028 and is based in the Department of Psychiatry at the Warneford Hospital. 

This post is available on a flexible hybrid basis minimum 2 days in the office (Tuesday/Wednesday for team meetings)  

You will work closely with Professor Bhui, Dr Mooney and the senior leadership team to carry out research for POSIE. The project involves analysing healthcare records for cases of postpartum severe mental illnesses (SMI), gathering lived experiences through photovoice workshops, and co-designing a culturally safe care pathway to be implemented and evaluated across England (Manchester, Sheffield, London and Oxford). 

Working with the senior research team, you will conduct and manage research, including study set up and ethics, recruitment, consent processes, and data collection, monitoring and analysis. You will collate and manage outcomes across the project and provide strong and effective communication to ensure cohesion across different aspects of this complex programme. You will use initiative and problem solve and sustain progress of the programme in accord with the schedule.

About You

You will have or be close to the completion of a PhD in a relevant subject along with relevant experience. You will have sufficient specialist knowledge in the discipline including expertise in mental health research for adults, trauma-informed approaches; SMI, multi-site studies, experience with photovoice and working with those with lived experience, those from ethnically diverse backgrounds.

With quantitative and qualitative data analysis skills, you will also have excellent communication skills, including the ability to write for publication. Experience of independently managing a discrete area of a research project would be desirable as would experience of community based participatory research, experience-based co-design.

Diversity

Committed to equality and valuing diversity

Our active Psychiatry People and Culture teams and initiatives including our values and behaviours framework,  work to make the Department of Psychiatry as supportive, welcoming and inclusive as possible.

Application Process

You will be required to upload a covering letter/supporting statement, CV and the details of two referees as part of your online application (via the ‘Apply’ button above).

Please see the University pages on the application process at https://www.jobs.ox.ac.uk/application-process

The closing date for applications is 12:00 midday on 18 December 2025

It is anticipated that interviews will take place on 19 January 2026

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