Senior Research Assistant (OA bipolar group)

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.

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.

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.

For further details / informal visits contact: Name: Elizabeth Tyler Job title: Clinical Lecturer Email address: elizabeth.tyler@manchester.ac.uk