The OptiVisT project, which is part of the EU’s research programme Horizon 2020, has been granted €4 million (£3.5 million/$4.8 million) over the next four years.

OptiVisT is aiming to nurture cutting-edge scientists in the EU in a bid to push forward with scientific and technological breakthroughs to improve vision care and rehabilitation.

Following the funding boost, OptiVisT is offering 15 PhD students the chance to work on research projects in the field of vision science, technology and healthcare.

One of those students will be based with the IPC, which has backed OptiVisT’s call for new knowledge around individuals’ functional visual abilities.

Over the course of three years, the student will conduct research on classification of sports-related functional vision at the IPC.

"Current vision tests in classification require subjective responses that require athletes to give their best effort," a statement from the IPC read.

"An ideal test would be one that 'objectively' tests vision without relying on responses from athletes.

"The aim of the research is to examine the effectiveness of a test of eye movements that can assess vision more objectively."

The successful applicant will join the IPC’s classification department to develop their thesis, while also gaining experience at the IPC’s Para sport events.

They will also be enrolled to study remotely at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam in the Netherlands.

Applications for the 15 PhD positions are open now, with a deadline of February 28 to apply.

To be eligible, researchers must not have resided or carried out their work or study in the country of their host organisation for more than 12 months in the three years immediately prior to their recruitment.

The IPC, which is based in Bonn in Germany, said it is keen to hear from applicants with an interest in Para sports as well as a passion for research with relevant skills and experience and hold a MSc.