Efficacy of High-Resolution Retinal Imaging and Detailed Psychophysical Assessment as Tools for Early Detection of Diabetic Retinopathy

Closing Date: 31^st July 2021

Interview date: 6^th August (to be confirmed subject to availability)

PhD start Date: TBC with some flexibility

The Centre for Applied Vision Research in the School of Health Sciences is advertising a full-time Doctoral Studentship to outstanding candidates. Situated in the heart of London, we are a leading provider of applied healthcare research. We offer PhD candidates a world-class research environment: in the most recent REF (2014), 100% of our research environment and impact was judged as world leading or internationally excellent. In the recent Postgraduate Research Experience Survey, 96% of respondents rated the expertise and responsiveness of their supervisors as excellent. Our Doctoral College provides training, support and an interdisciplinary community for over 500 doctoral researchers across the university.

What is Offered

• ~£17,500 p.a. bursary for three years (or part time equivalent)
• Full tuition-fee waiver for UK students (international applicants must cover the difference between UK and international fees)
• Research costs up to £2500 over 3 years
• Close collaboration with expert clinicians in world-famous eye clinic in London
• Supported by the Janet & Peter Wolf Research Award

The Project

‘Efficacy of High-Resolution Retinal Imaging and Detailed Psychophysical Assessment as Tools for Early Detection of Diabetic Retinopathy’. By the time a patient becomes aware of visual disturbance attributable to diabetic retinopathy, significant damage to the cone and rod photoreceptors is likely to have already occurred. Here we combine high-resolution imaging techniques with sensitive tests of chromatic sensitivity and rod- and cone-mediated vision to determine whether diabetic retinopathy can be detected during the earliest stages of disease.

• Supervisory team: Prof John Barbur, Dr Marisa Rodriguez Carmona
• Project team: As above, plus Dr Emily Patterson (Moorfield’s Eye Hospital), Dr Alison Binns, Dr Irene Ctori

Eligibility

The studentships will be awarded on the basis of outstanding academic achievement and the potential to produce cutting edge-research. See here for general eligibility criteria and other information about research degrees in the School of Health Sciences. For this studentship specifically:

• Applicants must hold at least a 2.1 honours Bsc degree or merit level Masters degree in Optometry or a related subject
• Applicants must have a strong interest in the PhD topic and a solid commitment to co-produced research
• Being a GOC registered optometrist, and having experience of retinal imaging and/or clinical research would be an advantage
• Applicants whose first language is not English must have achieved at least 7.0 in IELTS or a recognised equivalent

How to Apply

To apply for studentship funding:

• Complete an application form for the PhD studentship by clicking here where you will be asked to register before you can complete your application
• Please upload a report (two sides of A4 maximum excluding references) explaining the importance of early diagnosis of diabetes and the changes in colour vision that have been found in diabetic patients. You should include references to peer reviewed literature in your report.
• Upload a short cover letter with your application requesting that your application be considered for studentship funding.
• Submit your online application form and supporting documents by midnight GMT 31^st July 2021. If you have any queries, please contact the doctoral degrees Course Officer, Tracy Rowson ([Email Address Removed]). For informal enquiries please contact Dr Marisa Rodriguez Carmona ([Email Address Removed])