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<p>Project title: Can virtual reality offer an environment in which people with hoarding difficulties can meaningfully practice discarding their possessions?</p>
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<p>A part-time Research Assistant position (50%, grade 6) is available in the VR Lab at the Department of Psychology of University of Bath, to work for 6 months on a project supported by the British Academy under the supervision of Dr James Gregory and Dr Karin
Petrini (University of Bath) and Dr David Turk (University of Bristol).</p>
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<p>Hoarding disorder (HD) is chronic mental health problem that impacts upon the mental and physical well-being of individuals and their family members and can pose risks in terms of fire safety and environmental health. The problem typically comes to prominence
in a person's mid-50s but reports indicate that the onset of the problems is much earlier in life. The dominant treatment approach for HD is cognitive-behavioural therapy, which largely implements exposure treatments. The treatments, however, have comparatively
high drop-out and low efficacy rates compared to other mental health problems, for example, OCD. This study aims to explore the potential of VR in providing an immersive and realistic environment to help address these two issues. Applications are invited from
candidates with, or expecting to be awarded, at least an upper-second class honours degree or equivalent in psychology, neuroscience, computer science, or related areas. Experience of working and programming in VR (especially with Unity) and be familiar with
Head Mounted Displays will be considered essential, while experience of recruiting and testing participants and using behavioural/physiological measures will be considered an advantage.</p>
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<p>The position will be mostly suitable for Masters or PhD students who would like to gain experience of clinically relevant research. The position will start as soon as possible but no later than the 31/08/2018 and will require the candidate to work 2.5 days
a week for 6 months. The main duty of the candidate will be to program the virtual environments and tasks for the project, and pilot the study. Secondarily the candidate will help with applying for ethics and recruitment.
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<p>To apply, please complete an online application form via the following link by the 8th of June: <a href="https://www.bath.ac.uk/jobs/Vacancy.aspx?ref=MS5827">https://www.bath.ac.uk/jobs/Vacancy.aspx?ref=MS5827</a>
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<p>Please contact Dr James Gregory at <a href="mailto:J.D.Gregory@bath.ac.uk">J.D.Gregory@bath.ac.uk</a> for informal queries.<br>
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