Mann was awarded a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry from the University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology in 1976,[8] and a Doctor of Philosophy degree from the University of Oxford in 1982 under the supervision of Professor R. J. P. Williams FRS.
[9] Following his Doctor of Philosophy degree, Mann was elected to a junior research fellowship at Keble College, University of Oxford,[10] and then awarded a lectureship at the University of Bath in 1984[10] where he was appointed to a full professorship in 1990.
[11] Mann's research is concerned with the chemical synthesis, characterization and emergence of complex forms of organized matter.
His research activities include biomineralization,[12][13] biomimetic materials chemistry,[14] synthesis and self-assembly of nanoscale objects,[15] functional nanomaterials,[16] complexity and emergent behaviour in hybrid nanostructures,[17] and solvent-free liquid proteins.
[20] He is listed in the 2014 Thomson Reuters index of world's most influential scientific minds[21] and in the top 0.01% of cited scientists.