1. Projects with a focus on gaining new INSIGHTS will identify and quantify the aspects of vision that are critical for successful interaction with the environment. This will inform us about those aspects of vision that need to be tested, trained or augmented to improve daily life abilities of vision-impaired individuals.
Assessment of functional vision using eye-tracking, virtual-and augmented reality and artificial intelligence
Host: University Medical Center Groningen, the Netherlands.
Primary Supervisor: Frans W. Cornelissen
Gaze-based evaluation of functional vision in activities of daily living
Host: Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
Primary Supervisor: Eli Brenner
Behavioral and gaze-data analysis with deep learning neural networks
Host: Pattern Recognition Company, Germany
Primary Supervisor: Erhardt Barth
Assessment of functional vision for daily life locomotion and navigation using Virtual Reality
Host: Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg, Germany
Primary Supervisor: Michael B. Hoffmann
2. Projects with a focus on designing new SOLUTIONS will apply our fundamental insights into functional vision to create tools for testing functional vision in 1) adults, 2) children and 3) tools for training and augmenting functional vision.
Visually Evoked Potential based assessment of functional vision via natural stimulus perception
Host: Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg, Germany
Primary Supervisor: Michael B. Hoffmann
Motion-sensitivity and other non-standard functional tests as predictors of functional vision in activities of daily living in glaucoma
Host: University Medical Center Groningen, the Netherlands.
Primary Supervisor: Nomdo Jansonius
Predicting functional vision via multisensory interactions
Host: Italian Institute of Technology, Italy.
Primary Supervisor: Monica Gori
Augmented Reality games for assessing and training functional vision and visual cognition
Host: University Medical Center Groningen, the Netherlands.
Primary Supervisors: Frans W. Cornelissen and Sara Fabbri
Using Virtual and Augmented Reality-based tests of functional vision to understand patients’ real-world difficulties
Host: CITY University London, UK
Primary Supervisor: David Crabb
Augmenting functional vision using automated tactile guidance
Host: FeelSpace, Germany
Primary Supervisor: Peter König and Silke Kärcher
3. Projects with a focus on APPLICATIONS will use our new tools to improve professional decision-making in three different fields: medical diagnosis, rehabilitation and athlete classification.
Examining eye-movements made during activities of daily living for screening and rehabilitation of functional vision
Host: CITY University London, UK
Primary Supervisor: David Crabb
Classification of sports-related functional vision
Host: International Paralympic Committee, Germany.
Primary Supervisor: David Mann
Assessment and training of functional vision in rehabilitation using Virtual Reality
Host: Royal Dutch Visio, the Netherlands.
Primary Supervisor: Gera de Haan
Functional vision assessment of children with Cerebral Visual Impairment
Host: Royal Dutch Visio, the Netherlands.
Primary Supervisor: Nienke Boonstra
Functional vision screening in children recovering from Central Nervous System tumors
Host: Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
Primary Supervisors: Miriam Kolko, René Mathiasen, and Sarah Linea von Holstein
A unique, complete and international training program
By joining the OptiVisT network, you will become part of the first pan-European research training program in Translational Vision Science. OptiVisT brings together experts in the field of vision science, technology and healthcare. You will follow OptiVisT’s multidisciplinary 3-year PhD training consisting of a number of high-level training courses and workshops throughout Europe. You will learn how to integrate deep knowledge on the foundations of vision with expertise in applying both established and cutting-edge technologies (eye-tracking, EEG, psychophysics, machine learning, perimetry, and virtual reality) in conjunction with specialized ophthalmic and neurological knowledge. Besides working at your primary employer, you will get the option to carry out secondments at other academic and technology partners. Therefore, you will be able to experience working in industrial, health care and academic environments, and have the opportunity to develop both your hard skills (research & technology) and soft skills (e.g., academic, entrepreneurial, working with people). In addition to that, you will receive training at the institute in which you enroll for your PhD.
The network
The European MARIE SKLODOWSKA-CURIE Innovative Training Network OptiVisT ("Optimal support of Visually impaired individuals through inclusive Tests and Tools for testing, training and augmenting functional vision") is a collaboration between 15 European labs and companies in the field of translational vision science and technology. We offer 15 (3-year) full-time PhD positions. A detailed overview of the participating labs, their research interests and the projects can be found at www.optivist.eu. This network has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under the Marie Sklodowska-Curie grant agreement No 955590.