PhD Studentship University of Salford UK

August 28, 2008

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PhD studentship, School of Computing, Science and Engineering, University of Salford
PhD studentship – An exploration into the psychological and social response to vibration by people in their own homes
Expected start date: September/October 2008

The School wishes to offer a three year PhD studentship to study the psychological and/or social responses to vibration by people in residential environments. The studentship will run parallel to a major on-going Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) funded project and the successful candidate will be required to contribute to this study.

The DEFRA study will entail a certain amount of ‘away from home’ fieldwork and wide involvement with the public by performing face-to-face interviews with participants in their own homes. The research student will be part of an immediate project team of 4 research students and a number of more senior researchers.

Although the DEFRA project is predetermined it is anticipated that the actual PhD may take a number of routes, these may include:
• The development and evaluation of a survey mechanism for assessing the psychological response to vibration.
• The differences between groups in their psychological response to vibration.
• The analysis of the psychological impact of different sources of vibration.
• Individual and situational differences in the response to vibration.
• Stress and coping mechanisms in relation to the experience of vibration.
• To explore the relationship between vibration and urban/rural settlement and development.

This list is not exhaustive and candidates are encouraged to posit additional areas to explore and investigate.

The research student should have, or will expect to obtain, a First Class or Upper Second Honours degree in psychology (cognitive, social, or experimental), social sciences, or aclosely related topic, together with a strong interest in vibration/acoustics research.

The research student should be able to demonstrate excellent communication skills (both written and verbal) and be able to work as part of a team and with initiative. You will need to be organised and systematic in handling large sets of data.

You will work as part of a University team with members from the Salford Housing & Urban Studies Unit (SHUSU) http://www.els.salford.ac.uk/shusu/index.php and the Acoustics Research Centre http://www.acoustics.salford.ac.uk/. The Acoustics Research Centre was rated the highest grade, 6*, in the last RAE (government assessment of research), and provides an exceptionally supportive environment for conducting a PhD. You will join a lively office of 20 PhD students working in the field of acoustics and vibration. Together with 26 academic and technical staff, we are one of the largest groups in the world working in this specialist area, which brings extensive opportunities for broadening knowledge. You will have the opportunity to work in our £2.5M test and calibration laboratories, which were completely rebuilt in 2005 and are accredited by the UK Accreditation Services. Job prospects for our graduates are extremely good.

The Studentship is available to candidates from the EU and includes:
• A full grant for living expenses of £12,600 per year (tax free) for 36 months
• Full postgraduate tuition fees for the award of PhD, over the same period
• Travel and subsistence expenses will be reimbursed.

Applicants should email the following to Dr Philip Brown p.brown@salford.ac.uk.

1. A full academic CV
2. At least 2 academic references
3. A cover letter explaining how your interests and experience relate to the project.

Closing date for applications: 31st August 2008

University of Salford, Salford, Greater Manchester

Scholarship Tags: PhD, Studentship, UK, University of Salford