Young postdoctoral position available at the University of Genoa
Post doc position // Bioengineering
17.05 2022
University of Genoa has an opening for a young Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Vision Science to work on the development of systems for assessment and rehabilitation of binocular sensorimotor disorders. The position in within the NIH project “ARBi” (Feb 2022-Jan 2027) coordinated by Northeastern University, Boston and with UC Berkeley and the Boston Children’s Hospital [https://reporter.nih.gov/search/PEJReFETsE6Vx5T-METOdg/project-details/10366392].
The project is locally led by Silvio P. Sabatini and Andrea Canessa and concerns the assessment and conditioning of the sensory and motor fusional mechanisms that jointly construct a single percept of the environment from the differing images formed on the two retinae. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to develop and contribute their own novel ideas to demonstrate the theoretical foundation for combined sensory and motor therapeutic approaches to binocular visual dysfunction. Both laboratory stimuli and natural and virtual 3D set-ups will be employed: the former because of their high level of control, the latter because of their rich structure and relevance to real-world deficits.
The ideal applicant should be a recent PhD graduate in Bioengineering, Computer Science, or Psychology, they would have a solid background in visual perception, documented experience on behavioral experiments, data analysis, and computer programming. Specific experience in binocular vision and VR/AR development would be a plus. Applicants should demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively in English both orally and in writing.
The University of Genoa offers a highly collaborative and stimulating research environment with excellent opportunities for interactions and training, also in collaboration with local companies and the Italian Institute of Technologies. The laboratory is based at the Department of Informatics, Bioengineering, Robotics, and System Engineering, a newly established inter-school department (at the intersection between the School of Science and the Polytechnic School) that combines different multidisciplinary expertise and facilities.
The laboratory is equipped with computers used for model simulation, psychophysical research and general office activities, two workstations for high demanding graphical programs and 3D video rendering, three eye trackers, one 3D passive monitor (42’’) and two 3D active monitors (27’’), a high precision 3D Range Laser Scanner (Konica Minolta Vivid 910), and a Vive Pro Eye HMD.
The position will involve:
– Reading, analyzing, and summarizing published literature
– Developing experimental set-ups and binocular stimulations
– Designing and executing human research studies
– Collaborating in designing and conducting computer-based psychophysical experiments to study visual function of people with impaired vision
– Attending relevant meetings
– Writing a final report or submitting a manuscript to a peer-reviewed journal describing the project’s results.
Starting date is flexible, but sooner is preferred over later. July/August would be ideal.
The position is for a fixed term of one year (Consolidator Research Grant, “Borsa di Ricerca”), to be extended at maximum for two additional years, upgraded to a level 2 or level 3 Assistant Project Scientist, “Assegno di Ricerca”) contingent upon satisfactory progress. The position involves no formal teaching (unless the candidate wants to). It does involve, however, lab mentoring.
The salary – starting with 1614 Euros up to 2080 Euro, per month, tax free – is rather competitive, considering the lower cost of living in Italy compared to other Countries. Also note tax incentives for researchers residing abroad who move to Italy to conduct their research. Check at https://www.agenziaentrate.gov.it/portale/web/english/nse/individuals/tax-incentives-for-attracting-human-capital-in-italy if you are eligible.
To apply, please send CV, a statement of research interests and accomplishments, and the names of two references to Silvio P. Sabatini (silvio.sabatini@unige.it) and Andrea Canessa (andrea.canessa@unige.it), before June 3rd, 2022.