ISVR-HFRU-105: Development of models for predicting human perception and upper-body movement caused by lateral vibration in cars

The PhD student will join a team studying human responses to vibration in cars.

Many rural roads in Europe are rough and cause the human body to sway/shake from side-to-side, especially when a vehicle is driven at high speed. Such body motions can disrupt driving performance, the sense of stability, and comfort. This project aims to improve understanding of the mechanisms involved in human response to lateral acceleration in vehicles so as to assist the optimisation of vehicle ride, including seat design. The research involves subjective experiments to determine perceptions of lateral vibration and biodynamic experiments to determine the transmission of the vibration to the upper-body. The studies will investigate alternative seating characteristics and the influence of muscle activity.

The successful candidate will work within the Human Factors Research Unit (HFRU). See http://www.soton.ac.uk/HFRU for further details of research activities within the HFRU.

The studentship covers University tuition fees (EU/UK level**) and provides a tax-free bursary of £13,900 per year, rising annually in line with the UK Government (EPSRC) recommended rates.
** Overseas applicants will be required to provide the fee difference from other sources.

Entry requirements: This multi-disciplinary studentship is available to candidates with the equivalent of a first class or upper-second class degree in a related discipline (e.g., engineering, physics, psychology, physiology), having an interest in psychophysical phenomena, statistics, and appropriate mathematical skills.

How to apply: Please send a full CV together with a personal statement (~300 words, stating why you particularly want to do a PhD, why you think you are suited to a research degree and what particularly attracts you to this project) to:
Professor Michael Griffin, Email: [Email Address Removed]

Friday 28th Nov 2014 (early application is strongly encouraged)

If you wish to discuss any details of the project informally, please contact Dr Miyuki Morioka at Human Factors Research Unit, ISVR, Email: [Email Address Removed] , Tel: +44 (0) 2380 593723.