Research Associate

12115BR

School of Optometry & Vision Sciences

Research

Advert

Research Associate
School of Optometry and Vision Sciences

We seek a full-time research associate to work on a collaborative project in visual psychophysics as part of a programme of research, funded by the Medical Research Council (MRC) Biomedical Catalyst: Developmental Pathway Funding Scheme (DPFS).

The successful candidate will develop and perform psychophysical experiments, as well as undertake experiments with optical coherence tomography, perimetry, and other functional/imaging measures on healthy individuals and clinical populations. They will also take the lead in analysis of psychophysical and imaging data. The programme of research is part of a long-standing collaboration between researchers at Cardiff University, Ulster University, and UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, London. The candidate will work closely with researchers from each of the three collaborating institutions.

Among the essential criteria for the position are 1) a postgraduate degree at PhD level in vision science or a related subject area, 2) an established expertise and proven portfolio of research in visual psychophysics (desirable: in clinical populations), 3) proven ability to formally disseminate research to national and/or international audiences, and 4) demonstrable ability to program and troubleshoot psychophysical experiments independently in MATLAB (with Psychtoolbox), Python (with PsychoPy), or using a comparable language and library. Persons who are keen to develop a career as an independent investigator are encouraged to apply.

This position is full-time, 35 hours per week and fixed term starting the 1st November 2021 until 31st May 2023. There is a possibility of a contract extension of up to 28 months beyond 31st May 2023, but this extension cannot be guaranteed as this is dependant on the success of the project’s interim milestones.
Please note: It is expected that interviews will be held between 7th – 9th September 2021.

For informal enquiries, please contact Dr Tony Redmond (Principal Investigator) – email: [email protected] . For any HR related queries, please contact [email protected] .

Salary £33,797 - £40,322 per annum (Grade 6). Please note that it is not expected that we will appoint above grade  6.33, currently £36,914 per annum.

Date advert posted: Thursday, 5 August 2021

Closing date: Tuesday, 31 August 2021

This post has previously been advertised to employees of Cardiff University only.  We now invite external applications.

Cardiff University is committed to supporting and promoting equality and diversity and to creating an inclusive working environment. We believe this can be achieved through attracting, developing, and retaining a diverse range of staff from many different backgrounds.  We therefore welcome applicants from all sections of the community regardless of sex, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, trans identity, relationship status, religion or belief, caring responsibilities, or age.  In supporting our employees to achieve a balance between their work and their personal lives, we will also consider proposals for flexible working or job share arrangements.

Job Description

To conduct research within visual psychophysics and contribute to the overall research performance of the School and University, carrying out research leading to the publishing of high-quality research. To pursue excellence in research and to inspire others to do the same.

Research
* To conduct research within visual psychophysics and contribute to the overall research performance of the School and University by the production of measurable outputs, including publication in national and international academic journals.
* To present research at conferences and seminars at local, national, and international level as required.
* To undertake administrative tasks associated with the research project, including the planning and organisation of the project and the implementation of procedures required to ensure accurate and timely reporting.
* To prepare research ethics and research governance applications as appropriate.
* To programme, troubleshoot, and run psychophysical experiments on human participants, including clinical populations.
* To analyse psychophysical data and draw appropriate conclusions.
* To review and synthesise existing research literature within the field.
* To work with academic and research staff across all research sites involved in the project to ensure that the objectives are deliverable and delivered on time.
* To participate in School research activities.
* To actively contribute to project management and stakeholder group meetings where required.
* To build and create networks both internally and externally to the university, to influence decisions, explore future research requirements, and share research ideas for the benefit of research projects

Other
* To engage effectively with industrial, commercial and public sector organisations, professional institutions, other academic institutions etc., regionally and nationally  to raise awareness of the profile of the research, the research group, and the School, to cultivate strategically valuable alliances, and to pursue opportunities for collaboration across a range of activities. These activities are expected to contribute to the research, the research group and School and the enhancement of their regional and national profile.
* To travel by land and air for collaborative meetings and dissemination of findings.
* To undergo personal and professional development that is appropriate to and which will enhance performance.
* To participate in School administration and activities to promote the School and its work to the wider University and the outside world.
* Any other duties not included above, but consistent with the role.

General Duties
* Ensure that an understanding of the importance of confidentiality is applied when undertaking all duties.
* Abide by University policies on Health and Safety and Equality and Diversity.
* Perform other duties occasionally which are not included above, but which will be consistent with the role.

Person Specification

IMPORTANT NOTE TO CANDIDATES: It is the University’s policy to use the person specification as a key tool for short-listing and we only invite candidates to interview who clearly evidence that they meet (or partially meet) each of the essential criteria. During the application process you will be asked to attach a supporting statement. This statement must outline how you meet the criteria below and we recommended formatting this by using each criteria as a sub-heading and providing your relevant experience/evidence below each sub-heading. It is crucial that you save your supporting statement with the vacancy number (eg. 1234BR) in the filename as failure to do so may result in it being omitted from your application.

Essential Criteria

Qualifications and Education
1. Postgraduate degree at PhD level in a related subject area

Knowledge, Skills and Experience
2. An established expertise and proven portfolio of research in visual psychophysics
3. Knowledge of the current status of research in the specialist field
4. Proven ability to formally disseminate research to national and/or international audiences.
5. Demonstrable ability to program and troubleshoot psychophysical experiments independently in MATLAB (with Psychtoolbox), Python (with PsychoPy), or using a comparable language and library.

Communication and Team Working
6. Proven ability in effective and persuasive communication.
7. Ability to supervise the work of others to focus team efforts and motivate individuals.
8. Ability to work successfully with research collaborators.

Other
9. Proven ability to demonstrate independent scientific creativity in the course of previous research.
10. Proven ability to work to strict deadlines and without close supervision.

Desirable Criteria

1. Evidence of experience with participant-facing research involving clinical populations.
2. Evidence of an creative approach to scientific methodology.
3. Evidence of an innovative approach to data analysis.
4. Evidence of having successfully applied for NHS ethical approval or equivalent.
5. Evidence of being able to undertake participant recruitment in a timely manner.
6. Evidence of collaboration or interaction with industry.
7. Knowledge and understanding of competitive research funding to be able to contribute to development of applications to funding bodies.
8. Relevant professional qualification(s) (e.g. registration with the General Optical Council, General Medical Council, etc. (Note: this is not essential)).
9. Evidence of ability to participate in and develop both internal and external networks and utilise them to enhance the research activities of the research team and institution.

Additional Information

This post is full-time (35 hours per week) fixed-term starting on the 1st November 2021, and lasting until 31st May 2023 in the first instance, with the possibility of extending for up to another 28 months, depending on the success of the research at set interim milestones between the start and end of the project. It is funded by the Medical Research Council (MRC) Biomedical Catalyst: Developmental Pathway Funding Scheme (DPFS).
 
The programme of research brings together and builds on expertise in research on diagnostic tests from researchers at Cardiff University (Dr Tony Redmond, Prof. James E Morgan), UCL Institute of Ophthalmology (Prof. David F Garway-Heath), and Ulster University (Dr Padraig J Mulholland, Prof. Roger S Anderson). The ultimate aim of the research is to use rigorous psychophysics to inform the design of tests of visual function for use in clinical settings in the UK and globally. The advertised post will be directly answerable to the Principal Investigator. The post-holder will work collaboratively with post-docs and academics from the other sites on study setup, coding of psychophysical experiments, participant recruitment, data collection, data analysis, interpretation, production of outputs including manuscripts and presentations, progress reporting, and engagement with stakeholders.
 
For informal enquiries, please contact Dr Tony Redmond (Principal Investigator) – email: [email protected]

Job Category

Academic - Research