Research Assistant (0.8 FTE)

The Wellcome-Wolfson Institute for Experimental Medicine (WWIEM), School of Medicine, Dentistry & Biomedical Sciences (MDBS) at Queen’s University Belfast, is seeking to appoint a Research Assistant (Optometrist) to support and promote the practice of clinical research in Ophthalmology and Vision Science related studies. These studies are led by Professor Noemi Lois and include:

• DAME: a large UK-wide multicentric randomised equivalence trial comparing Anti-Vascular Endothelial Growth factor (anti-VEGF) monotherapy versus treatment with AntiVEGF followed by subthreshold Micropulse lasEr when the thickness of the central retina goes below 400 microns for the treatment of patients presenting with severe Diabetic Macular Oedema (DMO) (DMO with central retinal thickness of > 400 microns).
• COMBAT: a large UK-wide randomised equivalence trial comparing phacovitrectomy versus vitrectomy for the treatment of non-highly myopic, phakic, rhegmatogenous retinal detachment.

The position is funded by the NIHR and is suited to an ambitious, productive, and collaborative individual who is motivated and able to work within a team, committed to meeting deadlines, with strong organisation skills.

Applications are invited from highly motivated, efficient and organised individuals with a strong commitment to research.

About the person:

Successful candidates must have and your application should clearly demonstrate that you meet the following essential criteria:

• Degree in optometry.
• Registered optometrist (General Optical Council Registered and appropriate professional indemnity cover) or eligibility to be registered to fulfil the requirements of the post.
• Relevant experience in optometry, post registration.
• Current optometrist role or having been active as an optometrist within the last 6 months.
• Fulfilment of Continued Professional Development (CPD) stipulations according to GOC guidelines.

To be successful at shortlisting stage, please ensure you clearly evidence in your application how you meet the essential and, where applicable, desirable criteria listed in the Candidate Information on our website.

This post is available for 37 months or until 30 September 2028, whichever is soonest. Fixed term contract posts are available for the stated period in the first instance but in particular circumstances may be renewed or made permanent subject to availability of funding.

What we offer:

Beyond a competitive salary, the University offers an attractive benefits package including a holiday entitlement of up to 8.4 weeks a year, pension schemes and development opportunities. We support staff wellbeing with flexible working options, work-life balance initiatives and support for physical and mental health. You can find more detail on all of this and more at https://www.qub.ac.uk/directorates/HumanResources/pay-reward-and-benefits/

Queen’s University is committed to promoting equality of opportunity to all. We subscribe to Equality Charter Marks such as the Diversity Charter Mark NI and Athena Swan and have established staff networks such as iRise (Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic and International Staff Network) and PRISM (LGBTQ+) which help us progress equality.