Post Doctoral Research Associate

Advert

Research Associate
School of Optometry and Vision Sciences

We seek a full-time postdoctoral 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 post is full-time (35 hours per week) fixed-term starting on the 1st June 2024, and lasting until 31st October 2025. It is funded by the Medical Research Council (MRC) Biomedical Catalyst: Developmental Pathway Funding Scheme (DPFS).

For informal enquiries, please contact Dr Tony Redmond (Principal Investigator) – email [email protected] . Interviews are anticipated to be held between Friday 26th April and Thursday 2nd May 2024. 

Salary: £39,347 - £44,263 per annum (Grade 6).
Please note that it is not expected that we will appoint above grade 6, spine point 32.

Date Advertised: 5 April 2024

Closing date: Friday, 19 April 2024

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.

Cardiff University is a signatory to the San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA), which means that in hiring and promotion decisions we will evaluate applicants on the quality of their research, not publication metrics or the identity of the journal in which the research is published. More information is available at:  Responsible research assessment - Research - Cardiff University

Applications may be submitted in Welsh, and an application submitted in Welsh will not be treated less favourably than an application submitted in English.

Job Description

Job Purpose

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.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

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: When submitting your supporting statement, you must provide evidence as to how you meet each of the essential (and desirable if applicable) criteria below. We suggest that you do so by using each of the criteria as sub-headings, providing written evidence of your relevant skills underneath. Before uploading this attachment, please ensure that you include ****BR within the filename.

Essential Criteria

Qualifications and Education

Postgraduate degree at PhD level in a related subject area

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

An established expertise, proven portfolio, and knowledge of current status of research, in visual psychophysics

Proven ability to formally disseminate research to national and/or international audiences, including in national/international journals or other research outputs.

Knowledge and understanding of competitive research funding to be able to develop applications to funding bodies

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

Proven ability in effective and persuasive communication

Ability to supervise the work of others to focus team efforts and motivate individuals

Ability to work successfully with research collaborators.

Other

Proven ability to demonstrate independent scientific creativity in the course of previous research.

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 a 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. Relevant professional qualification(s) (e.g. registration with the General Optical Council, General Medical Council, etc. (Note: this is not essential)).

8. 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 June 2024, and lasting until 31st

October 2025. It is funded by the Medical Research Council (MRC) Biomedical Catalyst: Developmental

Pathway Funding Scheme (DPFS).

Applications must include a cover letter containing:

i) a statement of motivation and research interests, as well as an outline of how each of the

essential criteria, and as many of the desirable criteria as possible, are met.

ii) a curriculum vitae

iii) up to 3 research outputs that represent the rigour of your previous research.

iv) contact details of two academic/industry referees.

For informal enquiries and expressions of interest, please contact Dr Tony Redmond (Principal

Investigator) – email [email protected]

Job Category

Academic - Research