Ucl Institute of Ophthalmology
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
UCL INSTITUTE OF OPHTHALMOLOGY Research Assistant: Visual development in infants and children. REF: 1192049 UCL INSTITUTE OF OPHTHALMOLOGY UNIVERSITY COLLEGE LONDON (UCL) JOB DESCRIPTION Job Title: Research Assistant Research Department: Visual Neuroscience UCL Institute of Ophthalmology 11-43 Bath Street London EC1V 9EL Reports to Dr Marko Nardini Grade: Grade 6B; Spine points 24-26 Period of appointment: 36 months, commencing on 26 September 2011 or as soon as possible thereafter. The project There is a vacancy for a graduate Research Assistant on a project studying visual development in infants and children. The position is based in the Department of Visual Neuroscience at the UCL Institute of Ophthalmology and is funded for a period of 36 months by a project grant from Fight For Sight. 1. The Role Vision scientists at UCL are working in collaboration with clinicians at Moorfields Eye Hospital to develop new treatments for blinding eye diseases including retinal dystrophies, glaucoma, and corneal disease. In the world’s first clinical trial of retinal gene replacement therapy, at Moorfields Eye Hospital and the UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, young adults with defects in the gene encoding the RPE65 protein had healthy copies of the missing gene inserted into the cells of the retina. This initial study has shown sight improvement in a blinding inherited disease that is otherwise incurable (see http://tinyurl.com/iootrial). A major goal for this and other new treatments to restore vision is to treat younger patients, who have less advanced disease and so are most likely to benefit. However, accurate assessment of functional vision in young children remains a major challenge. The post-holder will join the UCL Child Vision Lab headed by Dr Marko Nardini to assist on a 3-year project developing new psychophysical tests for assessment of visual function in young children, investigating retinal structure and function in children with genetic mutations leading to retinal disease, and evaluating results of ongoing trials of new treatments for young patients such as gene replacement therapy. Other work in the lab includes projects on visual, spatial and multisensory development. The post is based at the UCL Institute of Ophthalmology and the adjacent Richard Desmond Children’s Eye Centre at Moorfields Eye Hospital. The work will be carried out in collaboration with a multidisciplinary research team at the UCL Institute of Ophthalmology and Moorfields Eye Hospital, including experts in vision science, genetics, electrophysiology, and biomedical imaging. The post offers the opportunity to investigate development of the human visual system from the level 2 of a single genetic mutation to a behavioural visual outcome, while also taking part in translational research supporting the development of novel therapies. The research will include: - Developing new tests using eye-tracking technology for rapid and reliable testing of parameters of retinal and cortical vision in infants, e.g. acuity, contrast sensitivity, photoreceptor function, and sensitivity across the visual field. Major challenges are developing appropriate child-friendly tasks, and developing optimal algorithms for measurement of visual parameters. - Studying structure-function relationships in the developing visual system by comparing psychophysical data with structural imaging or electrophysiology. For example, maps of visual sensitivity across the retina can be correlated with 3D structural scans of the retina obtained via Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT). Key questions are how structure and function change over time in inherited retinal diseases caused by different genetic mutations, and how they change in response to experimental treatments. The successful applicant will carry out a wide range of duties, including recruiting patients and children with healthy vision for studies, managing the day-to-day running of the lab, running experimental tasks and clinical tests with participants, entering data, and assisting with analysing and presenting results. The position is funded for a period of 36 months. Applicants should be extremely reliable and well organised, have an excellent rapport with young children and their parents, and able to manage a demanding and varied workload. An academic qualification (BSc or equivalent) in a scientific discipline related to vision science or experimental psychology is essential. Some knowledge of methods for analysing perceptual (psychophysical) data from human participants is also essential. Previous experience of working with children in a clinical or a research setting is highly desirable. Also desirable are any of: experience collecting data on human visual or sensory function, working in a developmental or vision research lab, analysing and presenting experimental data, developing or validating new tests, or collecting age norms; knowledge of clinical vision or visual assessment, knowledge of methods for eye tracking, psychophysics, statistics, or programming. Interviews are scheduled for the week of August 15th. The position is to commence on 26th September 2011, or as soon as possible thereafter. Prospective candidates are welcome to contact Dr Marko Nardini (email: [email protected]) with any inquiries about the post. 3 2. Main Duties & Responsibilities • Recruitment of participants o Recruit patients and children with healthy vision to participate in research studies o Establish and maintain links with local schools, parent groups, post- natal wards o arrange recruitment leaflet printing and magazine/online advertising and keep records of costs • Day-to-day running of the lab o Maintain a safe and pleasant child-friendly environment o Maintain records of study participants o Arrange participant visits, transport, and reimbursement • Running research studies o Welcome participants and brief them about the studies o Look after young participants or their siblings as needed o Test participants in a sensitive and age-appropriate manner, following study protocols. o Help to develop and refine procedures for new tests o Enter data from studies (e.g. using MS Excel) • Research administration o Liaise with clinicians and the hospital research committee to organise research and recruitment o Draft research protocols and amendments for NHS and UCL ethical approval and liaise with NHS and UCL ethics committees • Data analysis and presentation o Assist with analysing data (e.g. using Excel, SPSS or Matlab) o Assist with preparation of manuscripts o Assist with presenting data at conferences, or preparing data for presentation • Carry out any other duties as are within the scope, spirit and purpose of the job, the title of the post and its grading as requested by the supervisor and head of division. 4 3. Person Specification Requirements Criteria Assessed E / D* A / I* 1. Education, Qualifications and Training BSc or equivalent in a scientific discipline related to E A vision science or experimental psychology 2. Skills, Ability Excellent written and oral communication skills E A Ability to work to manage time effectively, excellent E A/I organisational skills Numeracy and ability to understand quantitative E A/I experimental data Attention to detail E A/I Technical aptitude E A/I 3. Experience Experience working with children in a clinical or a D A/I research setting Experience collecting data on human visual or D A/I sensory function, Experience working in a developmental or vision D A/I research lab Experience analysing and presenting experimental D A/I data Experience developing or validating new tests, or D A/I collecting age norms 4. Knowledge Some knowledge of methods for analysing E A/I perceptual (psychophysical) data from human participants Knowledge of computer packages for word E A/I processing and basic data presentation and analysis (MS Word, Excel, Powerpoint; SPSS) 5 knowledge of clinical vision or visual assessment D A/I knowledge of methods for eye tracking, D A/I psychophysics, statistics, or programming. 5. Personal qualities Excellent rapport with children and their parents E A/I Commitment to high quality research E A/I Capacity to be flexible in approach to work E I Ability to work effectively as part of a team E A/I Ability to communicate effectively with supervisors, E I team members and external collaborators Ability to follow protocols accurately E A/I Ability to keep accurate records E A/I Commitment to UCL’s policy of equal opportunity E I Commitment to work harmoniously with colleagues E I of all cultures and backgrounds * E = Essential; D = Desirable; A = Application; I = Interview 6 4. Conditions of Appointment Appointment The post is graded as Grade 6B, spine points 24 to 26 (salary range £27,907 to £29,435 per annum, inclusive of London Allowance). Starting salary is dependent on the successful candidate’s skills and knowledge relevant to the post. Cost of living pay awards are negotiated nationally and are normally effective from 1st August each year. Funds are available for 36 months in the first instance. Location The post will be based at the UCL Institute of Ophthalmology and at the Richard Desmond Children’s Eye Centre (RDCEC) situated between Moorfields Eye Hospital and the UCL Institute of Ophthalmology. The post may also involve some collaborative work and testing in other locations and UCL departments in London. Criminal Record Bureau check Any offer of employment will be subject to a Criminal Record Bureau check. Equal Opportunities Our policy includes the provision that in recruitment,