Western University’s Vision Loss in Later Life Research Lab (VITAL)
Western University’s Vision Loss in Later Life Research Lab (VITAL) invites applications for a funded Postdoctoral Associate (PDA) position as part of a critical participatory action research (CPAR) study with older adults aging with vision loss. A PhD in Rehabilitation Science, Occupational Science, Gerontology, Disability Studies, or other relevant discipline is required at the time of appointment. The position is available no later than September 1, 2022, and will be for an initial period of one year with potential to renew. Applicants must have received their PhD no earlier than September 1, 2020.
The Vision Loss in Later Life Research Lab (https://www.vitalresearchlab.com/) is in Western’s School of Occupational Therapy in London, Ontario, Canada. Directed by Dr. Colleen McGrath, the lab is a collaborative and interdisciplinary environment focused on answering complex questions aimed at addressing barriers to full and equitable participation for older adults aging with vision loss.
The Postdoctoral Associate will work alongside a research collective that is comprised of researchers, graduate students, older adults with vision loss, and community partners. The project is a SSHRC-funded Insight Grant focused on enacting a CPAR process centred on the community mobility needs of older adults with age-related vision loss. The PDA will be involved in project management, supervising trainees, overseeing data collection, analyzing data, engaging collaboratively with the research collective, developing the knowledge mobilization/social action phase of the study, writing academic journal articles, and preparing reports and presentations for funders, conferences, and community knowledge users.
The ideal candidate will be a strong writer, an organized project manager, and have research experience both in critical qualitative community-based research and working with older adults. Familiarity with ethics protocol development, grant writing, critical discourse analysis, relevant critical theoretical perspectives (i.e., critical disability perspectives, critical gerontology), and knowledge mobilization will also be considered assets.
For information about Western University or the School of Occupational Therapy, please see http://uwo.ca and https://www.uwo.ca/fhs/ot/. This position includes funding for conference travel related to the study as well as time to pursue independent research goals relevant to the PDA project focus. The University of Western Ontario offers excellent supports to postdoctoral scholars, see www.grad.uwo.ca/postdoctoral_services.
Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled. Applicants must submit a curriculum vitae, a brief statement of research interests, a writing sample, and names and contact details (email and telephone) of two referees we may contact. Please send application materials and any inquiries via email to Dr. Colleen McGrath, School of Occupational Therapy, Western University, 1201 Western Rd., London, ON, N6G 1H1, cmcgrat2@uwo.ca. We appreciate all applications, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
The University invites applications from all qualified individuals. Western is committed to employment equity and diversity in the workplace and welcomes applications from women, members of racialized groups/visible minorities, Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, persons of any sexual orientation, and persons of any gender identity or gender expression.
Accommodations are available for applicants with disabilities throughout the recruitment process.