Research Assistant

Plymouth University; Plymouth; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 26,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous pension

Cycle to Work & Electric Car Scheme

Employee Assistance Programme

Development opportunities

Flexible working

On-site nursery

Job summary

Plymouth University invites applications for a Research Assistant to support a project on home-based vision assessment in Multiple Sclerosis using VR. The role involves developing protocols, collecting data, and contributing to analyses and publications, with visits to multiple university sites and no remote work.

The fixed-term post is part-time (29.6 hours/week, Mon–Thu) for 9 months to 1 year, depending on funding, and requires an enhanced DBS check. Closing date 15 October 2026.

Qualifications

• Experience/interest in the use of VR devices or vision assessment.
• Strong organisation and time management skills.
• Clinical communication and problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop protocols for home vision assessment.
• Collect clinical and home-based vision data.
• Contribute to data analysis and report/publication generation.
• Develop and refine protocols for home-based vision assessment using VR tech.
• Conduct clinical and home-based vision assessments.
• Support participant recruitment and engagement.
• Contribute to dissemination of findings and outputs.

Skills

VR experience

Vision assessment

Time management

Clinical communication

Organisation

Job description

Are you intersted in working in a research project investigating home based vision assessment in Multiple Sclerosis (MS) using Virtual reality platform?

This is an exciting project at the intersection of technological advancement in VR vision tests and clinical vision assessment. Your work will contribute to the evidence-base supporting the use of home-based tests to track vision changes in chronic neurological conditions such as MS.

About the role:

You will:

• Be working as a research assistant;
• Develop protocols for home vision assessment,
• Collect clinical and home based vision data,
• Contribute to data analysis and report/publication generation.
• Develop and refine protocols for home-based vision assessment using virtual reality (VR) technology in people with Multiple Sclerosis (MS).
• Conduct clinical and home-based vision assessments.
• Support participant recruitment and engagement.
• Contribute to data analysis, research outputs, including preparation of reports, and publications, and dissemination of findings.

Due to the nature of the role, unfortunately we are unable to accommodate working from home.

Due to the nature of this role, an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service Check plus an Adult’s Barred List check will be required.

There is an essential requirement within this role that you will be required to travel to and work at different University sites and/or other business locations that may not be easily accessible by public transport. Please refer to the job description for further information.

This is a fixed term role, working 29.6 hours per week, Monday to Thursday, for 9 months to 1 year, due to funding.

What we’re looking for:

• Experience/interest in the use of virtual reality devices or vision assessment.
• Strong organisation and time management skills.
• Clinical communication and problem-solving skills.

For more information about the job and the person specification, please refer to the job description.

About us:

The Faculty of Health holds four Silver Athena Swan awards, which recognise our commitment to supporting gender equality within higher education.

For more information on School of Health Professions please visit our dedicated webpage at

Our Offer:

We have a wide range of staff benefits available to employees, depending on eligibility:

• Generous annual leave: 25* / 35* Days Annual Leave (pro rata if part-time) plus Bank Holidays* & Closure Days*
• Generous pension scheme
• Cycle to Work & Electric Car Scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Development opportunities
• Enhanced family leave
• Flexible working
• Retailer discounts
• On-site nursery

*Pro rata if part-time/fixed term contract

A summary of our comprehensive benefits can be viewed

Additional Information:

The University of Plymouth is building an inclusive and equitable university where everyone feels represented, supported, and empowered to thrive. Our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion is guided by the Inclusive Institutions Framework, a strategic and externally validated approach that embeds these principles across the entire institution. To find out more please visit our

Closing date: Thursday 15th October 2026 at 12 o’clock midnight