PhD Studentship - Investigating the Impact of Ageing and Cataracts on Visual Motion Perception across the Visual Field

Life and Health Sciences - Studentships

Fully-Funded Full-Time PhD Studentship in Optometry

Supervisor: Dr Samantha Strong

Associate Supervisor: Prof Leon Davies

Applications are invited from talented and ambitious candidates to develop a series of projects investigating the extent of visual motion deficits in cataract patients. With waiting lists for cataract surgery growing ever longer, the ability to measure the impact of the cataract on the patients’ daily life becomes ever more crucial.  This opportunity is open to UK and EU students who have at least an Upper Second Class Honours degree or equivalent in a relevant scientific discipline. Students with Optometry, Orthoptics, or Ophthalmic Dispensing qualifications are encouraged.

You will use psychophysical (behavioural) measurements to objectively assess threshold- and suprathreshold-level function in patients with age-related cataracts. Ability to perform on these tests will be compared to age matched and young controls. This will involve some basic MATLAB programming, but experience with MATLAB is not required for the post.

Aston University was ranked 5th out of 94 UK Higher Education Institutions for research in Allied Health Professions (REF 2014) and was ranked 1st for research environment. 

Informal enquiries can be made to Dr Samantha Strong, s.strong2@aston.ac.uk

Financial Support:

The studentship is open to Home/EU students and comprises of a tax-free stipend at the 2019/20 UKRI rate of £15,009 per annum and payment of Home/EU tuition fees only. The studentship is available for three years, subject to satisfactory progress review at the end of the first year, with an expected registration of April 2020.

Application Requirements:

• Eligible applicants should hold at least a Bachelor (Hons.) Degree of either 1st Class/ 2.1 or MSc/MRes in a relevant subject.
• Clinical qualifications (Optometry, Orthoptics, and Ophthalmic Dispensing) are desirable.
• Registration with the General Optical Council (GOC) is desirable.
• Interest in research, and strong interpersonal and teamwork skills are essential.
• EU Applicants will need to demonstrate adequate proficiency in English Language skills; e.g., IELTS scores of a minimum of 6.0 in each section and an overall band of 6.5.

This opportunity has expired. It was originally published here:

https://jobs.aston.ac.uk/Vacancy.aspx?ref=R200028