Research Associate - Department of Inflammation and Ageing - 105892 - Grade 6

Department of Inflammation and Ageing, School of Infection, Inflammation and Immunology, College of Medicine and Health

Location: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK

Full time starting salary is normally in the range £32,546 to £35,116 with potential progression once in post to £39,355

Grade: 6

Full Time, Fixed Term contract up to August 2026

Closing date: 2nd July 2025

Background

Applications are invited for a Full-time Research Associate Position for the vision workstream of mTBI-Predict, with an expected start date of September 2025. mTBI-Predict is a multi-year research programme funded by the US Department of Defense and the UK Ministry of Defence. For this 1-year post, further funding is in place for extension of the time in post, but will depend on individual performance. Due to the nature of the project, a 12-month probation period will be in place for this role, with the successful candidate expected to meet key performance indicators within the first three months. There will also be the opportunity for the post holder to register for a PhD as part of the role.

The overarching aim of the mTBI-Predict programme is to identify accurate, reproducible biomarkers in mild traumatic brain injury (m-TBI) that will predict the most common and disabling consequences of mTBI: primarily persistent post-traumatic headache, as well as cognitive dysfunction, depression, PTSD, dizziness and return to work. This will be achieved through a harmonised programme of detailed clinical phenotyping of acute mTBI patients coupled with state-of-the-art multimodal biomarker evaluation (brain imaging, fluid biomarkers, steroid hormones, visual, vestibular, cerebral physiology, and EEG). The programme is divided into workstreams, the research associate post described here is for the vision workstream that is being led by Prof Richard Blanch at the School of Infection, Inflammation and Immunology and University Hospitals Birmingham.

The Research Associate will be responsible for visual testing, including optical coherence tomography, pupillometry and visual field testing. The candidate will be part of an integrative and multi-disciplinary team of researchers and clinicians working collaboratively to deliver this workstream.

Role Summary

The role will involve assessment of participants' retinal structure and function using a range of standard clinical tests including optical coherence tomography, pupillometry, colour vision and visual field testing to assess the impact of mTBI. The research associate will be part of an integrative and multi-disciplinary team of researchers and clinicians working collaboratively to deliver this workstream.

Main Duties

• Perform vision testing in the Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Facility (CRF)
• Analyse and manage collected visual data as directed; this may be through a variety of research methods, such as scientific experimentation, literature reviews and data upload
• Carry out administrative tasks related directly to the delivery of the research
• Participate in research team meetings
• Present research outputs, including drafting academic publications or parts thereof, for example at seminars and as posters
• Provide guidance, as required, to support staff and any students who may be assisting with the research
• Participate and contribute to public engagement events
• Analyse research data as directed
• Develop or adapt techniques, models and methods
• Deal with problems that may affect the achievement of research objectives and deadlines
• Promote equality and value diversity acting as a role model and fostering an inclusive working culture
• There may be a requirement to work collaboratively with and support the testing in other workstreams (such as cerebral physiology and vestibular testing)

Person Specification

• A BSc in the area of Optometry, Orthoptics, Vision Science, Physiology and Health Sciences, Biomedical Sciences or Neuroscience
• Understanding of research and conducting of human (clinical) trials
• Preferably practical experience of applying the relevant skills and techniques, including OCT and visual field testing, although training will be provided on all techniques
• Ability to analyse information and communicate effectively
• Ability to access and organise resources successfully
• Strong organisation and time-management skills
• Cooperative nature and strong teamwork skills, with a willingness to work as part of a large multi-disciplinary team
• Understanding of and ability to contribute to public engagement activities
• Strong IT skills
• Knowledge of the protected characteristics of the Equality Act 2010, and how to actively ensure in day-to-day activity in own area that those with protected characteristics are treated equally and fairly

Informal enquiries to Lisa Powell, email: l.h.powell@bham.ac.uk

We believe there is no such thing as a 'typical' member of University of Birmingham staff and that diversity in its many forms is a strength that underpins the exchange of ideas, innovation and debate at the heart of University life. We are committed to proactively addressing the barriers experienced by some groups in our community and are proud to hold Athena SWAN, Race Equality Charter and Disability Confident accreditations. We have an Equality Diversity and Inclusion Centre that focuses on continuously improving the University as a fair and inclusive place to work where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. We are also committed to sustainability, which is a key part of our strategy.