Improving driving competence of older persons with visual field defects.
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A Ph. D. fellowship ("Onderzoeker In Opleiding") from the Dutch Science
Council (NWO) is available to work at the Laboratory for Experimental
Ophthalmology (LEO), University of Groningen, The Netherlands to study the
possibility of improving driving competence of older persons with visual
field defects.
Project description: visual field defects (e.g. due to macular
degeneration) are an important age related visual impairment that may
affect driving competence. As driving is often critical for autonomy and
social integration (alternatives are less suited to older people's needs
and abilities) there is a social need for techniques that can help impaired
older drivers continue to drive safely.This study is intended to determine
the most successful way of training for improving driving competence in
older subjects with visual field defects. Two fundamentally different
training approaches will be compared. The first, referred to as function
training, aims at improving visual and attentional functions without
considering the actual task to be performed. The second type, referred to
as strategy training, aims at improving tactical behaviour and viewing
strategies in actual task situations and at increasing insight and
awareness in the effects of the impairment on the task at hand. 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).
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, psycho physical 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, experience with computer applications in
research, good communicative skills, proficiency in the english and dutch
(because of the interaction with older subjects) language in both 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 project possession of a driving license is
considered a prerequisite.
The city of Groningen is situated in the north of the Netherlands. It's
university is the second oldest in the Netherlands and was founded in 1614.
The university began with six professors in four faculties: Theology, Law,
Medicine and Philosophy. At that time the university enrolled one hundred
students per year, a respectable number in those days. Nearly half of them
came from abroad. The number of students currently stands at more than
twenty thousand. There are now ten faculties, housed in 150 buildings on
various locations in and around Groningen. The number of professors has
increased to 300. Ph.D. gradudations are still done in tradional style in
the main university building. The Laboratory for Experimental Ophthalmology
is situated in the newly build Academic Hospital situated right in the
middle of the city, one more reason for making it a pleasant working
environment. Housing can be arranged within walking distance from the
hospital.
Applicants should send a letter of application (as a proof of your dutch
language skills we would like a letter in dutch), 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