The Department of Sport, Health and Exercise Sciences at the College of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences at Brunel University of London is recruiting a 12-month, 0.8 FTE Research Assistant/ Research Fellow (Salary Grade: R1) to work on a Waterloo Foundation funded project exploring the longitudinal effects of a home-based movement simulation intervention delivered in virtual reality on balance and fall risk in children with developmental coordination disorder (DCD). This project builds on recent work by Dr Adam Bruton (principal researcher) and collaborators showing that combined action observation and motor imagery interventions can improve movement outcomes across general and clinical populations, including children with DCD (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neubiorev.2022.104911), and that the effectiveness of this intervention is enhanced when delivered using virtual reality (https://doi.org/10.1080/1612197X.2022.2057570).

The project will employ different movement analysis and psychometric measures to assess changes in biomechanical and psychological factors associated with balance and fall risk after a 4-week virtual-reality based combined action observation and motor imagery training intervention, with the ultimate aim to inform longer-term intervention strategies to improve balance and reduce fall risk in children with DCD. Under the supervision of Dr Adam Bruton and colleagues (Dr Carla Harkness-Armstrong, Dr Aliah Shaheen, the appointed candidate will work closely with the project team and take responsibility for the pilot work, recruitment, and data collection and analysis to help achieve the project objectives.

About you:

We are looking to recruit an excellent, highly motivated, and enthusiastic candidate. You will hold, or be working towards a PhD in Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy, Neuroscience, Psychology, Movement/Sports Science, or another relevant discipline. Experience with relevant movement analysis methods (e.g., three-dimensional motion capture) and virtual reality technologies is required. It is also essential that the post-holder has a sufficient depth of knowledge about balance and postural control, and DCD. You should be able to demonstrate critical thinking, and be keen to learn and improve skills in a supportive research environment. Experience working with children and/or clinical populations such as those with movement disorders is desirable. You will become part of a multidisciplinary team, and the ability to work both independently and as a leader of a team are essential.

Main accountabilities:

  • Pilot work (setup and refinement of data collection procedures, recording and development of intervention materials and procedures)
  • Recruitment of children with DCD (~N=40), through existing links with national and local community groups (NB: ethical application process is ongoing)
  • Scheduling and conducting testing sessions in the Biomechanics Laboratory
  • Delivery of an at-home combined action observation and motor imagery balance training intervention using Meta Quest 3S and Rezzil Player virtual reality systems in children with DCD
  • Assess changes in balance and postural control through quantitative measures, including movement analysis and self-report psychometric measures, and monitor adherence to and perceptions about the intervention using activity-tracking data and post-study interviews
  • Collaborate in the preparation of project dissemination activities such as live presentations, demonstrations, recorded talks, magazine articles, infographics, and scientific reports/journal articles

Deadline: 30th June 2025.

Interested applicants should apply directly via the University’s website: https://careers.brunel.ac.uk/vacancy/research-assistant-research-fellow-16191-586614.html#utm_source=jobsacuk&utm_medium=jobboard&utm_content=586614&utm_campaign=online_recruitment