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If anyone knows of a good student looking to do a PhD in an interesting
area ...<br><br>
<b>University College London<br>
UCL Interaction Centre<br>
<br>
PhD Studentship: understanding errors in the use of interactive medical
devices<br>
</b> <br>
Applications are invited for a PhD studentship in the area of
understanding the causes of errors associated with the use of interactive
medical devices. Based at the UCL Interaction Centre
(<a href="http://www.uclic.ucl.ac.uk/">www.uclic.ucl.ac.uk</a>), the
student will be part of an internationally leading Human-Computer
Interaction group within the
<a href="http://www.chi-med.ac.uk/">CHI+MED</a> project. <br>
<br>
CHI+MED is a major EPSRC funded research project that brings together
researchers from UCL, Swansea University, Queen Mary University of
London, and City University to improve the usability and safety of
interactive medical devices. Improving the safety of interactive medical
devices is a pressing area for research because even simple errors can
result in incorrect treatment, or patient death. <br>
<br>
Under the supervision of
<a href="http://www.uclic.ucl.ac.uk/people/d.brumby/">Duncan Brumby</a>
and <a href="http://www.uclic.ucl.ac.uk/people/a.cox/">Anna Cox</a>, the
student will investigate medical device usage and the cognitive processes
that lead to erroneous actions while performing routine procedural
tasks. The project will involve experimental work with human
participants designed to test theories of interactive behaviour.<br>
<br>
Applicants should have a first or upper-second (2:1) class honours degree
in Psychology, Artificial Intelligence, Computer Science or another
related area and have a clear interest in human-computer
interaction. Experience of running controlled experiments with
human participants is essential, as is an effective working knowledge of
statistical data analysis tools (e.g., SPSS, R). Candidates should
have excellent written and verbal communication skills. High levels
of ability in computing and programming are desirable.<br>
<br>
British and EU nationals who meet the UK residency requirements, as
defined by EPSRC
(<a href="http://www.epsrc.ac.uk/PostgraduateTraining/StudentEligibility.htm">
http://www.epsrc.ac.uk/PostgraduateTraining/StudentEligibility.htm</a>),
will receive a full award covering both tuition fees and a tax-free
annual stipend starting at £15,290 per annum. The post is also open
to overseas candidates, who will receive the annual stipend, but please
note that only a portion of the total tuition fee, equivalent to the UK
fee (£3390 per annum), will be covered. <br><br>
Further information about the studentship and instructions on <b>how to
apply</b> can be found at
<a href="http://www.uclic.ucl.ac.uk/opportunities/2009%20CHI+MED%20studentship.doc">
http://www.uclic.ucl.ac.uk/opportunities/2009 CHI+MED
studentship.doc</a>, while information about the CHI+MED project is
available at
<a href="http://www.chi-med.ac.uk">www.chi-med.ac.uk</a>. Informal
queries can be directed to Duncan Brumby
(<a href="mailto:Brumby@cs.ucl.ac.uk">Brumby@cs.ucl.ac.uk</a>, tel. 020
7679 0689) or Anna Cox
(<a href="mailto:Anna.Cox@ucl.ac.uk">Anna.Cox@ucl.ac.uk</a>).<br>
The studentship runs for 42 months full-time starting January 2010 or as
soon as possible thereafter.<br>
<br>
Closing date for applications is 6 December 2009.<br>
Interviews will be held on 17 December 2009.<br>
<br>
UCL Taking Action for Equality<br>
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