Recruitment – Opportunity for trainees: Ph.D. 3 Years – Visual Impairment Rehabilitation School of Optometry, Université de Montréal

Position description

We are looking for a highly motivated candidate with strong interest and experience in the domain of braille and assistive technologies for people who are blind, deafblind or who have low vision.

The individual will work on research to develop evidence-based indicators to guide the selection of braille display technologies for diverse reading and user needs across adulthood. This research will explore the influence of braille display characteristics (e.g. line length, single vs. multiline design, ergonomics, complexity) on reading performance across a range of linear and non-linear reading tasks for education, employment and independent living. This research will also explore the potential impact of age-related declines on the ability to use braille display technologies, and factors to maximize usage for working-age and older adults with acquired vision loss.

The individual will work within a multi-disciplinary team of stakeholder partners, including low vision and blindness rehabilitation professionals, assistive technology experts, braille users and interdisciplinary researchers to develop protocols, conduct research and to discuss implications for practice. This research will draw on mixed methods (qualitative and quantitative), participatory approaches and co-design methodologies. The individual will work directly with participants from the blind and low vision community from across the adulthood age spectrum, including young adults and older individuals with age-related declines who learn and use braille.

This doctoral research opportunity is situated within the only graduate program in Canada specializing in visual impairment rehabilitation (blindness rehabilitation, low vision and orientation and mobility). The individual will therefore be integrated within a unique setting that offers strong expertise and advanced training in blindness and low vision research and practice. Under the supervision of Pre Martiniello, this includes access to a network of vision rehabilitation centres, the Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Rehabilitation of Greater Montréal, and the Vision Science Research Network, which bring together researchers from across the vision research and rehabilitation domains. The candidate will also be provided with funding to attend and present at selected regional and international conferences to build their academic networking and presentation skills.

The candidate will be part of Pre Martiniello’s research laboratory, where they will interact and collaborate with fellow peers and professors undertaking research on braille, accessibility and social inclusion for blind individuals, and will gain experience in supervising trainees to build their academic portfolio.

This is an excellent opportunity for those interested in pursuing advanced research careers in the domain of braille, accessibility and blindness rehabilitation, with a strong focus on methodologies that emphasize accessibility, disability inclusion and stakeholder engagement.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Develop research that is accessible to individuals who are blind or who have low vision, including protocols, survey instruments, study announcements, assessments, manuscripts and presentations;
• Actively collaborate with local and national organizations of and for individuals with visual impairments and with members of the blind and low vision community;
• Contribute to the writing of project proposals, grants, and manuscripts in the fields of braille and low vision / blindness rehabilitation;
• Maintain appropriate records of experiments, protocols, and data as directed by the Ethics committee of the approved project;
• Engage in qualitative and quantitative research related to the project;
• Collaborate on scientific dissemination and represent the research team at scientific events, including presenting papers and posters at regional, national, or international conferences to both academic and non-academic audiences;
• Support laboratory research and assist other team members as needed;
• Assist clinical Master’s students in the Visual Impairment and Rehabilitation program in their research projects as needed;
• Maintain a clean, orderly, and safe working environment in accordance with the guidelines of the department;
• Complete mandatory doctoral training courses required by the Université de Montréal and the School of Optometry.

Qualifications

required

• Hold a Masters degree (or will be completing one by the approved start date) in blindness or low vision Rehabilitation or a related field (e.g. teaching students with visual impairments, psychology, disability rehabilitation, vision science, assistive technology, etc.).
• If selected by Dr. Martiniello, successful application for admission to the Université de Montréal, School of Optometry PhD program in Vision Science (see https://admission.umontreal.ca/programmes/doctorat-en-sciences-de-la-vision for details)
• Fluent (oral and written) in English, as published research, data, and collaboration will primarily be in English;
• An interest to develop communication skills in French (if not already acquired), to facilitate collaboration with Francophone colleagues;
• Experience in blindness accessibility, such as braille display and screen-reading technologies, and a strong commitment to develop these skills as part of Graduate training.
• Ability to read braille or a strong commitment to develop skills in contracted braille as part of Graduate training;
• Record of publications or demonstrated scientific excellence appropriate for the career training stage;
• Experience conducting qualitative and/or quantitative research, with a strong desire to develop these research skills as part of Graduate training;
• Ability to communicate results clearly and concisely in writing and presentations;
• Ability to collaborate effectively with team members from the field of visual impairment, rehabilitation and vision science;
• Ability to communicate effectively with participants in a professional manner.

Desired

• Personal experience as a blind individual and braille user.
• Functional ability in French, as some participants and team members will communicate in French.
• Previous experience analyzing quantitative and qualitative data, including demonstrable experience in using statistical software (e.g. SPSS, Stata, JASP, or R);
• Currently or previously worked in the field of vision rehabilitation with certification from the Academy for the Certification of Vision Rehabilitation and Education Professionals (ACVREP) as a Vision Rehabilitation Therapist or related profession.

Interested in joining our team?

Applications are currently being reviewed on an ongoing basis, with a start date as soon as logistically possible if successful. Please email Pre Martiniello to discuss this further if interested. Qualified applicants will be contacted for an interview on Zoom or by telephone.

Additional information

• Location: School of Optometry at the Université de Montréal. 3744 rue Jean Brillant, Montréal, QC H3T 1P1, Office 6461
• Schedule:35hrs/week (Full-time). Possibility for some tele-work
• Trainee funding:This doctoral opportunity is supported by grants with a commitment of $30,000 (Canadian) in the form of bursaries for the first two years, and support in applying for additional grant opportunities during training.

---