Research Fellow in Psychology/Human Factors

Civil, Maritime & Environmental Engineering

Location:  Boldrewood Campus
Salary:   £31,406 to £38,587 per annum
Full Time Fixed Term
Closing Date:  Tuesday 15 February 2022
Interview Date:   To be confirmed
Reference:  1641021DA-R

The Command Team Experimental Testbed (ComTET) is a programme of work tasked with providing evidence-based recommendations for change to optimise the design and operation of submarine control rooms of the future. The work examines a range of issues from a sociotechnical systems perspective including (but not limited to); optimisation of HMI, automation, teamwork, control room configuration, applied psychophysiology, information flow (human-human-technology). The ComTET team will be conducting a series of experiments using the control room simulator at the University of Southampton. https://www.southampton.ac.uk/engineering/news/2014/07/14_new_facility_to_develop_submarine_command_teams_for_the_future.page

You will join our Human Factors group with academic and commercial partners, as part of the ComTET program.  The post will involve assisting with the design and running of human in the loop experiments, analysis of data and contributing to stakeholder reports and publications. The overarching aim of the work is to provide evidence recommendations to stakeholders and sponsors regarding maximisation of training whilst examining wider command and control issues including evaluation of new team structures, allocation of system functions, ways of working, communication media, interfaces, job aids and work design. Throughout the project, consideration of Human Factors aspects of new technology solutions will inform decisions and design. 

To be successful you will have a PhD or equivalent professional qualifications and experience in Human Factors or a related discipline e.g. Psychology, Ergonomics, HMI and experience in at least one of the following: psychology, human factors and ergonomics, statistical data analysis. It is also essential that you are able to work effectively within a research team.

Applications for Research Fellow positions will be considered from candidates who are working towards or nearing completion of a relevant PhD qualification. The title of Research Fellow will be applied upon successful completion of the PhD.  Prior to the qualification being awarded the title of Senior Research Assistant will be given.

The Defence Science Technology Laboratory funds this program of work and requires UK security clearance and that you are a UK national and have resided in the UK for the past 5 years.

This post is offered on a full-time basis. This post is fixed term until 31 March 2023 due to funding restrictions.

For informal enquiries please contact Dr Katie Plant [email protected]

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion is central to the ethos in the School of Engineering. We particularly encourage women, Black, Asian and minority ethnic, LGBT+ and disabled applicants to apply for this position. In recognition of our continued commitment to improving equality for women in science we were awarded an Athena SWAN bronze in 2013 and 2016.   We give full consideration to applicants that wish to work flexibly including part-time and due consideration will be given to applicants who have taken a career break. The University has a generous maternity policy*, onsite childcare facilities

The University of Southampton is in the top 1% of world universities and in the top 10 of the UK’s research-intensive universities. The University of Southampton is committed to sustainability and being a globally responsible university and has recently been awarded the Platinum EcoAward.  Our vision is to embed the principles of sustainability into all aspects of our individual and collective work, integrating sustainable development into our business planning, policy-making, and professional activities. This commits all of our staff and students to take responsibility for managing their activities to minimise harm to the environment, whether this through switching off non-essential electrical equipment or using the recycling facilities.

 *subject to qualifying criteria

Application Procedure 

You should submit your completed online application form at https://jobs.soton.ac.uk . The application deadline will be midnight on the closing date stated above. If you need any assistance, please call Hannah Nash (HR Recruitment Team) on +44 (0) 23 8059 4043 or email [email protected]  Please quote reference 1641021DA on all correspondence.