[visionlist] PostDoc in Vision Rehabilitation

[Woods, Russell L.]

At the Schepens Eye Research Institute (Boston, MA, USA), a Harvard Medical School affiliate, Dr, Russell Woods and Kevin Houston, seek a Postdoctoral Research Fellow in translational vision rehabilitation.  The two primary projects include small clinical trials.   The main study will investigate a method to help people who have lost central vision by developing and evaluating a novel method to improve visual function through training of eye movements and visual perception.  The second study is developing and evaluating a novel method to assist people with chronic ptosis (drooping upper eyelids).

The fellow will collaborate in designing and conducting computer-based psychophysical experiments to study visual function of people with impaired vision, work with a gaze-contingent visual display system, measure eye movements, develop visual training and conduct a study of the training, make magnetic devices to assist with eyelid function, and evaluate the value of those devices on eyelid motion.  Other projects in the labs include pedestrian mobility of people with restricted visual fields, rehabilitation of spatial neglect, and assessment of cognitive impairment.

The ideal applicant will have completed (or be about to complete) their PhD, including having completed a fellowship in another laboratory, will have strong MatLab programming skills, and good manual skills.   Familiarity with the Psych, VideoTool, and EyeLink ToolBoxes, a background in visual psychophysics, and experience with gaze tracking (eye movement research) are a bonus.  Applicants should demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing. 

The start date is ASAP.  Interested candidates should inquire with Russell Woods (Russell_Woods at meei.harvard.edu) and provide (in PDF format) a brief statement of research interests and career goals, the expected date of availability, current CV, publication list, and contact information for at least 2 referees.

In addition, candidates must apply at: https://partners.taleo.net/careersection/mee/jobdetail.ftl?job=3204231

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
• Read, analyze and summarize published literature
• Design and execute human research studies
• Undertake relevant coursework if required by mentor
• Attend relevant meetings
• Meet regularly with mentor to review project progress and milestones
• Plan and deliver a seminar on the project
• Take administrative (e.g. report preparation, inventory, purchasing, etc.) responsibilities in the lab when necessary
• Assist with regulatory submissions, including IRB
• Write a final report or submit a manuscript to a peer-reviewed journal describing the project and results

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
• Doctoral degree (MD, OD or PhD)
• Highly skilled in computer programming, with a preference for experience with Matlab and the Psychophysics, Video, and EyeLink Toolboxes
• Experience with eye movement studies in humans is desirable

WORKING CONDITIONS:
Lab setting.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
Possible lifting of 10 to 20 lbs., depending on nature of chosen project(s).

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