Postdoc position in Cardiff

Post Reference Number 420BR
Job Title Research Associate
Job Category Academic - Research
Career Pathway Research
School / Directorate SOHCS - School of Healthcare Studies

The School of Healthcare Studies is recruiting a research associate to work with a research group involved in rehabilitation and movement sciences. The School's movement laboratory has a newly installed Motek Medical GRAIL system, which can provide movement analysis and feedback in real-time. The post holder will be expected to substantially contribute to the development of this system for rehabilitation applications.

This is a full time position, fixed term for 3 years.
Salary: £30,122 - £35,938 per annum (Grade 6)
Closing date: Thursday, 27 September 2012
Job Description

To develop tools for movement evaluation and feedback for patient studies using the GRAIL (Gait Real-time Analysis Interactive Lab) system; DFlow software and other programming languages.
To investigate novel applications in rehabilitation using the GRAIL system in different patient groups.
To carry out research to identify factors that influence recovery which will direct rehabilitation strategies, with the aim to enable earlier return to recovered function and reduced chronicity.
To contribute to translation of these findings into clinical practice by inform rehabilitation programmes.
To plan and perform research within an established programme, this includes literature review, laboratory experimentation, statistical analysis and data recording, critical evaluation and interpretation, and drawing conclusions on the outcomes.
To secure external grant funding as co-applicant, progressing to a PI, train MSc/PhD students, and develop an international research profile under the guidance of a team of established scientists.
To establish an independent national/international research profile and contribute to the strategic aims and ambitions of the research group.
To publish research results in original papers in leading, peer-reviewed international journals and contribute to knowledge transfer.
To undertake administrative tasks associated with the research, including organisation of project meetings and the preparation of reports for external funding bodes, internal research committees and meetings as appropriate.
To update continually knowledge and understanding in the field or specialism and translate knowledge of advances in the subject area into research activity.
To take responsibility for safe working practices.
To supervise undergraduate, postgraduate, clinical fellow and discipline hopping projects, as appropriate.
To significantly contribute towards Schools’ strategic aims and ambitions of the School of Healthcare Studies.
You may be asked to perform other duties occasionally which are not included above, but which will be consistent with the role.

Person Specification Essential Criteria
Excellent communication skills with the ability to present complex information clearly and confidently to others using a range of media.
1. Excellent IT skills, including experience of using Labview and Matlab.
2. Evidence of the ability to develop research objectives and proposals for own and/or joint research and to demonstrate the potential and commitment to publish work of a high-quality.
3. Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues to make appropriate decisions on research activity.
4. A PhD in relevant area (physiotherapy, biomechanics) and a first class or good second class honours degree in a relevant discipline (physiotherapy).
5. Experience of teaching at undergraduate/postgraduate level in a variety of settings.
6. Evidence of ability to work to work under pressure and to strict timescales.
7. Ability to present confidently to academic and non-academic audiences at meetings and conferences.
8. Experience of managing a small laboratory.
9.
Salary Range Min. 30,122
Salary Range Max. 35,938

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Dr. Robert van Deursen
Reader and Director of Research
Director of Research Centre for Clinical Kinaesiology
School of Healthcare Studies
Cardiff University
Heath Park
Cardiff CF14 4XN
United Kingdom

phone: 029 20687685  or  029 20687687
fax:        029 20687685 
email:   vandeursenr@cardiff.ac.uk
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