Prof A Parkes
Applications accepted all year round
Competition Funded PhD Project (European/UK Students Only)
About the Project
Congratulations on taking your first steps toward a Research Degree with Coventry’s Faculty of Engineering and Computing. As an ambitious and innovative University, we’re investing an initial £100m into our new research strategy, ‘Excellence with Impact’. Through original approaches from world-leading experts, we’re aiming for our research to make a tangible difference to the way we live. As a research student you are an integral part of Coventry’s lively and diverse research community and contribute to our reputation for excellence. With our exceptional facilities and superb support mechanisms you are afforded every opportunity for academic success.
Details of the PhD project
This project will take an experimental human factors approach to quantifying situation awareness (SA) using techniques (SART, SAGAT and others) developed in aviation but applied within the newly established Coventry University driving simulator. Different levels of automation will be simulated and driver behavioural and physiological response (for different age groups) will be analysed.
Depending on the student’s academic background, we foresee a suite of studies that may include:
* The development of an analysis framework to include recent developments in SA theory for car drivers and new techniques for measurement of attention and arousal
* The development of appropriate use cases and test scenarios for increasing levels of driving automation
* Modelling test environments in the Coventry University driving simulator
* A series of experiments allowing the testing of hypotheses of the mediating effect of functional age on SA
* Drawing out the implications of research findings for future training, licensing and regulation of drivers with highly automated vehicles.
About the host Centre/Department
Our research in Mobility & Transport works across our faculties and focuses on the design and engineering of future transport systems, including the growing influence of the internet and connectivity. The focus is on inclusive, sustainable and safe transport integrating the strongest research elements in design and engineering. The Centre currently has around 50 staff and 40 PhD students.
Candidate specification
Successful applicants will have:
* A minimum of a 2:1 first degree in a relevant discipline/subject area with a minimum 60% mark in the Project element or equivalent with a minimum 60% overall module average, or
* A Masters Degree in a relevant subject area will be considered as an equivalent. The Masters must have been attained with overall marks at merit level (60%) minimum. In addition, the dissertation or equivalent element in the Masters must also have been attained with a mark at merit level (60%) minimum.
* The potential to engage in innovative research and to complete the PhD within a prescribed period of study
* Language proficiency (IELTS overall minimum score of 7.0 with a minimum of 6.5 in each component).
The most recent and highest award will be used in all cases.
Additional items for candidate specification
* Enthusiasm and aptitude for learning to use a driving simulator STISIM Drive) and develop experimental scenarios (E-Prime)
* A successful background in human factors or cognitive psychology
* Demonstrated competence in statistics
* A wish to publish academic research in the highest quality journals
* An understanding of the ethics of experimentation with human participants
How to apply
Application information can be found in our how to apply section. Before completing the application please contact Professor Andrew Parkes [Email Address Removed] and cc’ing [Email Address Removed]) for an initial informal discussion about the opportunity.
Application deadline date
This opportunity will only remain open until a suitable candidate is identified, early application is recommended.
Interview dates
Will be confirmed to shortlisted applicants.
Enquiries may be addressed to
Andrew Parkes
[Email Address Removed]
024 7765 8750
Funding Notes
Eligibility: UK/EU
PhD funding award: £15,000 Bursary plus tuition fees
Duration of study: Full-time- three years fixed term