Position Details
School of Psychology
Location: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK
Full time starting salary is normally in the range £35,880 to £45,163 with potential progression once in post to £47,874
Grade: 7
Full Time, Fixed Term contract up to March 2026
Closing date: 6th March 2025
Background
The Fringe-P3 method (Bowman et al, 2013; Alsufyani et al, 2019) developed out of a line of theoretical work focussed on temporal attention and perception on the fringe of awareness (Bowman & Wyble, 2007; Craston et al, 2009; Avilés et al, 2020). The method provides a means to present a large number of visual stimuli very rapidly to a participant’s brain and then determine with EEG, which of those stimuli the participant finds salient. The method has been proposed as a deception detector, specifically, a (countermeasures-resistant) concealed-knowledge test (Bowman et al, 2013, 2014; Alsufyani et al, 2019; Harris et al, 2021).
Previous projects with the company Visionmetric (https://visionmetric.com/) used the Fringe-P3 method to develop a system for extracting the memory of a face. This is done by generating a facial morph that is a weighted average of the faces presented in rapid serial visual presentation, with weight determined by the strength of the P3 that face generated.
The Research Fellow being advertised will be employed on a recently awarded MRC Impact Acceleration account at the University of Birmingham, with two companies: Visionmetric and Advanced Ophthalmic Systems (https://aos-hub.com/). This will take the Fringe-P3 method and develop it as an objective visual acuity test, called the Acuity-P3. Many groups, such as young children, those with learning difficulties and dementia patients find it hard to follow the instructions required to complete a standard visual acuity test (such as a Snellen chart). As a result, clinical decisions, such as whether to perform cataract surgery, often have to be made without a reliable assessment of vision.
We will develop a system by which a brain response (the P3) can be used as an objective measure that a letter has been read. This will provide an objective visual acuity test, not dependent upon a subjective response. We will also improve the efficiency with which P3s are detected with machine learning and will also explore alternative detection modalities, such as pupil dilation.
More generally, the Research Fellow will create and contribute to the creation of knowledge and commercial impact by undertaking research and development activities within the research project, “The Acuity-P3: A Brainwave-based Objective Visual Acuity Test”, which will be undertaken within the School of Psychology and Centre for Human Brain Health at the University of Birmingham.
Role Summary
* Work to attain the goals of the project “The Acuity-P3: A Brainwave-based Objective Visual Acuity Test”.
* Develop and increase the effectiveness of the Fringe-P3 method.
* Design, code, analyse and interpret the results of experiments to assess the applicability and effectiveness of the Fringe-P3 method to objectively assessing visual acuity.
* Contribute to securing follow-on funding.
* Perform patient and public interaction and engagement activities associated with the project, especially testing the method on dementia patients.
* Contribute to securing the intellectual property arising from the project.
Main Duties
The key responsibilities include the following.
* Identify development objectives and strategy for attaining the goals of the project “The Acuity-P3: A Brainwave-based Objective Visual Acuity Test”, under the guidance of the project principal investigator.
* Develop new methods and the code base associated with the Acuity-P3 method.
* Code experiments to verify the applicability and effectiveness of the Acuity-P3 method.
* Collect neuroimaging and behavioural data to verify the method.
* Interpret the results and write them up in project reports.
* Contribute to securing the intellectual property arising from the project, including writing patents.
* Contribute to writing bids for follow on research funding.
* Disseminate research findings for publication, research seminars etc.
* Perform patient and public interaction and engagement activities associated with the project.
* Supervise students on research-related work and provide guidance to PhD students.
* Undertake management/administration arising from research.
* Contribute to Departmental/School research and development related activities and administration.
* Contribute to enterprise, business development and/or public engagement activities focussed on the results of the project “The Acuity-P3: A Brainwave-based Objective Visual Acuity Test”.
* Promote equality and diversity values acting as a role model and fostering an inclusive working culture.
Person Specification
* Batchelors (and potentially also Masters) degree, as well as a PhD (or near to completion) or equivalent qualification in Computer Science, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths), Psychology, Neuroscience, or related subjects. Candidates with equivalent industrial experience would also be within scope.
* High analytical capability.
* Ability to communicate complex information clearly.
* Strong programming skills, with experience of or the capacity to learn how to program in Python and C++.
* Experience of neuroimaging, including data collection, or the capacity to learn such methods.
* Fluency or capacity to become fluent in relevant models, techniques and methods, e.g. Fieldtrip, Statistical Parametric Mapping, EEG-lab, and ability to contribute to developing new methods.
* Ability to assess resource requirements and use resources effectively.
* Understanding of and ability to contribute to broader management/administration processes.
* Contribute to the planning and organising of the research project.
* Co-ordinate own work with others to avoid conflict or duplication of effort.
* 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 Professor Howard Bowman, email: H.Bowman@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. You can find out more about our work to create a fairer university for everyoneon our website .
#J-18808-Ljbffr