Research Fellow - Lucier Family Fellow

Job Title/ key terms:     Lucier Family Fellow, Research Fellowship

Last updated:               March 2023

Location:                      Wichita, Kansas, United States

Immigration status:      must have the right to work in the United States

Stipend:                        Up to $5,458/month depending on experience and qualifications

Term:                            24 months, full time position. Available with immediate effect.

 

Fellowship purpose

To propose and deliver on an innovation program relating to funding granted as the Lucier Family Fellow. The Fellow will propose a program and deliver on computing and artificial intelligence methodologies which can be used to model sight loss. This may include re-purposing of available technologies; however, priority is given to applications able to generate original intellectual property.

This Fellowship will give you access to an exclusive community of people living with sight loss, readily available for research participation. You will be located in Wichita, Kansas with opportunities for national and international travel. Re-location support may be provided as well as other benefits such as healthcare insurance.

You will work in a friendly, highly motivated, and professional team where you will be responsible for the delivery of the Lucier Family Fellowship research program. You may become involved in exploratory projects with external stakeholders.

 

Dimensions

We are looking for an experienced and versatile individual to take post as the Lucier Family Fellow. The Fellow will work alongside an outstanding team of over 20 international researchers that include Envision Research Institute and collaborators at BRAVO VICTOR. The post-holder will deliver on the Lucier Family Fellowship as part of a very busy and fast paced environment.

The ideal candidate will have experience of developing and implementing methods and systems for: acquiring, compiling, synthesising, extracting, and reporting information; data management; designing summaries and test systems.

The ideal candidate will be an innovator and inventor, able to re-design and develop new solutions. The Fellow may have a diverse background, there are no limitations from which academic or practical discipline/s background you come from. The focus is on innovations and invention/re-invention. 

Additionally, the candidate will have professional experience managing research independently and to deadlines, including gathering, collecting, and securely managing data. You will be required to present work to potential users or stakeholders, using the most appropriate (easy to understand) way to communicate findings and implications.

For this project, the Fellow will be required to work independently and organise the work to meet project deadlines. The post-holder will be mentored by the Chief Scientific Officer at BRAVO VICTOR and will be working with external stakeholders such as other not for profit and government institutions. The work is varied, and the successful applicant will need to be able to prioritise conflicting demands effectively.

The successful applicant may be subject to enhanced security checks and must be able to meet security clearance requirements. You must have the right to work in the United States. The position is initially funded for 24 months, there could be opportunity for further development with successful completion of initial term.

 

Application Procedure

Closing date for applications: 18:00 Central Daylight Time, 16 April 2023

Interviews to be held: week starting 24 April 2023

 

If you would like to apply, please email:

1. Up-to-date to date curriculum vitae (CV);
2. Up to 3 page research proposal which must include the following sections: introduction, aims and objectives; delivery; research methods; data analysis; potential of research for patient care
3. Tailored supporting statement of no more than 1500 words in total, setting out how your knowledge, skills and experience match the person specification and your career development aspirations.

Please send your documentation via email to: carrie.perry@envisionus.com

Please note CVs without a tailored supporting statement, as detailed above, will not be accepted.

Should we receive a high volume of interest, we may close applications for this vacancy before the deadline, so you are advised to express your interest as soon as possible.

 

Main accountabilities of the position

1. Responsible for the artificial intelligence methodologies programme Design and conduct research. Co-ordinate and project manage research tasks to perform technology research. When necessary, manage key external stakeholder relationships related to the Fellowship.
2. Summarise key findings from primary and secondary research tasks to produce high-level writing for submissions/publications.
3. Collaborate with not for profit, academia and government departments. 
4. Work both independently and collaboratively.
5. Manage primary and secondary research tasks to support strategic and operational tasks

 

Additional responsibilities 

1. Attend relevant internal and/or external training courses and conferences, as agreed with the direct supervisor. Practice and comply with all aspects of the institutions current policies and procedures including the Health and Safety at Work Act, Code of Conduct, etc. Engage actively with volunteers and members, as appropriate, and within the scope of the position. Undertake any reasonable tasks from time to time at the supervisor’s request, as may be deemed appropriate within the scope of the position.

 

Work Context

The role is initially based in Wichita, Kansas, United States. Re-location support may be provided as well as other benefits such as healthcare insurance.

 

Career Development

The post holder will be supported through regular meetings and discussions with the supervisor. Development package may involve the possibility of doing apprentice sponsored training and other certified courses. You will be encouraged and mentored toward visiting positions at world leading institutions.

 

Social and Welfare Support

The post holder will be supported with reasonable adjustments and assistive technology, if required. Healthcare insurance plan and employee assistance programs are offered for all employees.

 

Autonomy and decision making

The post holder will be responsible and accountable for their own workload and delivery of required outputs, but they will work collaboratively with all other staff.

 

Communications

Internal: The post holder will engage with people across the organization, including the operations staff, headquarters staff, senior stakeholders across the institution.

External: The post-holder will communicate with a variety of stakeholders from recognized government bodies, scientific organizations, academic institutions, and charities.

 

Main areas of difficulty

1. Working independently to rigid deadlines established by the Chief Scientific Officer at BRAVO VICTOR.
2. Prioritizing a varied workload and managing time efficiently.
3. Managing, collating, analysing, and reporting on data.

 

Additional Information

This Job Description is a guide to the work the job holder is required to undertake.  It may be changed from time to time to meet changing circumstances. It does not form part of the Contract of Employment.

 

Person Specification

Knowledge

• Proficiency of research methods, techniques, and design (Essential)
• Proficiency in information research and evaluation methods and analysis (Essential)
• Understanding of statistical analysis/results (Essential)
• Ability to interpret and evaluate both traditional and novel information/research (Essential)
• Excellent knowledge of research ethics and data protection requirements (Essential)
• In depth knowledge of Python, R, MATLAB, C++ or similar (Essential)
• Non-relational and relational data architecture with expertise building scalable, reliable architectures (Essential)
• A background in professional software engineering best practices, such as coding standards, code reviews, source control, build processes, and testing (Essential)

Skills

• Ability to work independently and collaboratively (Essential)
• Accuracy and a methodical approach to work (Essential)
• Ability to analyse, summarise and interpret complex information (Essential)
• Ability to communicate with experts, practitioners, and the general public (Essential)
• Ability to execute gap analysis (Essential)
• Excellent organisational skills (Essential)
• Ability to manage time and resources effectively to achieve results  (Essential)
• Ability to work to deadlines  (Essential)
• Outstanding verbal and written communication skills  (Essential)
• Ability to operate in a highly competitive environment (Essential)
• High level of emotional intelligence (Essential)
• Attention to detail and data accuracy (Essential)
• Ability to work effectively as a member of a multidisciplinary team, leading when required (Essential)

• Experience in quality assurance for technologies (Desirable)

Qualifications

• A degree or equivalent degree Master’s or equivalent degree  (Essential)
• PhD or equivalent degree (Desirable)

Experience

• Project management experience (Essential)
• Proven record of designing and conducting reviews (Essential)
• Experience of research design, data collection, and analysis (Essential)
• Proven track record of publishable writing (Essential)
• Experience of liaising with internal and external stakeholders, and building strong professional relationships
• Peer reviewed publications (Essential)
• Proficient IT skills, including experience of using specialist database software  (Essential)
• Demonstrable experience of designing conversational flows (Essential)
• Knowledge of supporting NLP technologies (eg Google DF, IBM Watson, MS LUIS, RASA) (Essential)
• Familiarity with one or more conversational Artificial Intelligence platforms would be an advantage (Essential)

• Experience of working with research participants living with disabilities (Desirable)
• Acquisition of income (grants) and experience of writing grant proposals (Desirable)

Personal qualities

• ‘One team’ outlook (Essential)
• ‘Can Do’ attitude (Essential)
• Confident and friendly with excellent interpersonal skills (Essential)
• Collaborative (Essential)
• Resourceful and resilient (Essential)
• Empathy with Institution’s Purpose (Essential)