Interdisciplinary PhD Research Studentships

August 12, 2009

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Interdisciplinary Research Studentships

Two interdisciplinary PhD studentships are available from October 2009 in the Schools of Engineering, Psychology and Computer Science at Cardiff University.

The research area for both of these studentships concerns how problem solving and decision making in design engineering can be improved with the use of psychological techniques and scanpath models of eye fixations. There are two phases to this research. First, the use of existing methods for problem solving and decision making will be analysed and, second, new training or online techniques will be developed and evaluated. The research will involve designing and carrying out behavioural experiments together with the development of models of eye fixations relevant to three dimensional design engineering.

One studentship will be based in the School of Psychology and will be inscope to the areas of Applied Cognitive Psychology and Human Factors. The first step will involve characterising the nature of design problem solving and identifying potentially useful psychological models and theories of problem solving. For example, is problem space theory useful? What types of knowledge representation and search strategy are involved in this form of problem solving? What psychological techniques are available for facilitating more effective design solutions (e.g. training)? This studentship offers a rare and exciting opportunity for developing theoretical ideas within the applied context of design problem solving. The nature and direction of the work is largely open to the innovation and interest of the student. The ideal candidate will have a minimum 2:1 degree or equivalent, in Psychology, Cognitive Science or related discipline. Experience in industry or liaison between disciplines is valued together with evidence of an interest in the application of academic ideas to practical issues. It is important to realise that this PhD will be examined in Psychology even though the studentship will involve collaboration across disciplines.

The other studentship will be based in the School of Engineering with close collaboration with the School of Computer Science. The ideal candidate will have a minimum 2:1 degree or equivalent, in an Engineering, Computer Science or related discipline. Computer programming skills are essential, and experience in design engineering or computer modelling of shape or dynamics is also required. Experience in industry or liaison between disciplines is valued together with evidence of an interest in the application of academic ideas to practical issues.

Both studentships are for 3.5 years and will cover UK/EU tuition fees and a stipend of £13, 290 in year one rising in subsequent years. Non-EU students are welcome to apply but would need to self-fund the difference between the UK/EU fees and the overseas fees.