<p>The mental health and wellbeing of the research community is crucial to the health of academic institutions and to research excellence. However, the competitive nature of research and the precarity of many research positions can negatively impact mental health and wellbeing. The present study aimed to examine the intersection of research culture and the mental health and wellbeing in a research community. The study sample included 596 members of the research community in a research-performing university in Ireland in 2023. The data was analysed using network analysis and multiple regression analyses. In a bridging analysis research culture items Feeling pressured to work long hours and Feeling that the research system exploits one’s interest in research leading to a heavy workload bridged research culture with work stress. In multiple regressions, this feeling of exploitation was associated with increased symptoms of anxiety depression and decreased wellbeing. A further predictor of poor mental health and wellbeing was agreement that a research career is isolating and lonely. Predictors of decreased and depression symptoms, and increased wellbeing included Agreement that the university understands what constitutes research impact in one’s discipline. These findings highlight the need to develop institutional level interventions such as mentorship programmes to address feelings of isolation, co-create transparent workload policies to address feelings of exploitation and work pressures and workload. Future research should explore socio-demographic and research role differences in the bridging analysis.</p>