Neuroergonomics and brain imaging to understand psychological stress during driving

The Department of Engineering at Nottingham Trent University are developing neuroimaging tools capable of providing an objective measure of stress and brain function. These tools combine established techniques such as EEG with emerging technologies such as functional near-infra-red spectroscopy (FNIRS) and other psychophysiological indicators. The supervisory team also have significant experience of developing vehicle environments for a wide range of manufacturers and applications. This includes the breadth of users; from the oldest drivers to the youngest children who might be transported in an ambulance. This project aims to combine these two areas of expertise, in order to use brain imaging to determine the psychological stress that can occur whilst driving, or whilst travelling as a passenger in a vehicle.

Research will be carried out using an approach including determining the state-of-the-art through literature review, and a series of lab and field trials using volunteer participants. The successful candidate will be required to optimise neuroergonomic tools for this application studying which combination of indicators provide the most reliable source of raw data that can be interpreted in order to measure stress. Mitigating measures to minimise stress and maximise comfort, well-being and performance will be studied.

The successful candidate will be expected to communicate their work with external stakeholders such as funders and industry experts. They will be expected to be willing to present at conferences and writing associated conference and journals paper(s). The PhD will culminate in production of a thesis for examination.

The PhD will be based in the Department of Engineering at Clifton Campus. The Department launched in 2017 and is investing in new staff and facilities across Engineering including biomedical engineering, human factors engineering, mechanical and electronic engineering. This investment includes new laboratories being fitted out with new state-of-the-art research facilities, which the candidate will be expected to use.

For more information please contact [Email Address Removed] or [Email Address Removed]

Specific qualifications/subject areas required of the applicants for this project:
Entrants must have a first/undergraduate Honours degree, with an Upper Second Class or a First Class grade or a Masters qualification, in subjects related to engineering or psychology.

Interviews are likely to take place on the following dates: 15/01/2018 to 19/01/2018

This studentship competition is open to applicants who wish to study for a PhD on a full-time basis only. The studentship will pay UK/EU fees (currently set at £4,195 for 2017/18 and are revised annually) and provide a maintenance stipend linked to the RCUK rate (this is revised annually and is currently set at £14,553 for the academic year 2017/18) for up to three years. Applications from non-EU students are welcome, but a successful non-EU candidate would be responsible for paying the difference between non-EU and UK/EU fees. (Fees for 2017/18 are £12,900 for non-EU students and £4,195 for UK/EU students). The studentships will be expected to commence in October 2018.