A Ph. D. fellowship is available to work at the Laboratory for
Experimental Ophthalmology (LEO), University of Groningen, The Netherlands,
on the project "assessment of attention and driving competence of older
persons with visual field defects due to CNS damage".
Project description: visual field defects, both caused by eye and CNS
diseases are important age-related visual impairments that may affect
driving competence. Driving is often critical for autonomy and social
integration (alternatives such as public transport or cycling are less
suited to older people's needs and abilities) Therefore, the descision that
a person is unfit to drive should not be taken to rashly. In this project
we focus on hemianopic field defects following CNS disease or damage. It is
presently unknown what are acceptable criteria for fitness to drive for
persons with a combination of field defects and cognitive impairments. The
first goal of the project is a better understanding of the effects of
visual field defects caused by brain damage on attention and driving
competence. This will be evaluated in patients with or without further
cognitive impairments. A further goal is the development and evaluation of
methods to assess and train fitness to drive in these patients.
The project is a collaborative effort of LEO (Prof. Dr. A.C. Kooijman & Dr.
F. W. Cornelissen), the Department of Neuropsychology (Dr. Wiebo Brouwer)
and the Traffic Research Center (Dr. Karel Brookhuis). Ph.D. training will
take place within the graduate school for Behavioural and Cognitive
Neurosciences (BCN).
Candidates may have any nationality except the Dutch (sorry!). The position
is for four years within which you are expected to complete your Ph.D
thesis. We are looking for a cognitive neuroscientist with a background in
cognitive psychology, psychophysical experimentation or visual perception
research. Candidates from other backgrounds with relevant experience can
apply as well. We expect a strong interest and experience in
interdisciplinairy research, computer applications in research, good
communicative skills in the english (or dutch) language (both in speech and
writing), and the willingness and skills to cooperate in a
multidisciplinary team with members of different professional backgrounds.
Considering the nature of the research project, possession of a driving
license is considered an advantage. Considering the interaction with older
patients, you should be willing to learn dutch in due time.
Applicants should send a letter of application, their curriculum vitae,
preferably one or two reprints of (co-) authored papers, and the names and
contact information of two referees to: Prof. Dr. A.C. Kooijman, Laboratory
for Experimental Ophthalmology, University of Groningen, P.O. Box 30.001,
9700 RB Groningen, The Netherlands. Closing date is September 10th, 1996.
For further information contact Dr. A.C. Kooijman or Dr. F. W. Cornelissen
at E-mail: a.c.kooijman@med.rug.nl or f.w.cornelissen@med.rug.nl. Tel: +31
50-3612510.
University information: http://www.rug.nl/rug/
LEO and project information: http://cornelis.med.rug.nl/
BCN information: http://www.bcn.rug.nl/bcn
Frans W. Cornelissen
Laboratory of Experimental Ophthalmology
University of Groningen
P.O. Box 30.001
Hanzeplein 1
9700 RB Groningen
Telephone: + 31 50 3614173
Telefax: + 31 50 3611709
e-mail: f.w.cornelissen@med.rug.nl