PhD position “Bicycle simulator validation” (1.0 FTE)

The Department of Psychology at the University of Groningen invites applicants for a PhD position which is part of a co-operation between Delft University of Technology and the University of Groningen. The project is subsidised by the Province of Fryslân.

The increase in traffic accidents in which cyclists are involved is a serious public health concern. In 2019, 237 people died in the Netherlands as motorists and 203 as cyclists (CBS data). It is remarkable that among cyclist no decline in accident rate can be observed in contrast to a declining accident rate for car drivers. Developments such as increased e-bike use, the operation of mobile devices and interaction of bicycles with new vehicles require knowledge and methods to evaluate the behaviour of cyclists and the relationship with traffic. For this purpose at Delft University of Technology a new bicycle simulator will be developed and built the coming years. This simulator will allow for studying cyclist behaviour in a safe environment. The simulator should also allow for the assessment of cycling capability in rehabilitation and training.

The PhD student employed by the University of Groningen will co-operate with a peer in Delft. The tasks will entail a literature study on existing bicycle simulators, and surveying what is known with respect to simulator sickness and use for rehabilitation. The validation of behavioural effects by replicating studies that have been performed in the real world is an important task for the PhD student.

You will be working in the Traffic Psychology research group which is part of Clinical Neuropsychology and are expected to:

• perform research that results in a PhD thesis and fits with the aims and demands of the project
• publish the results of your studies in international scientific journals
• present your studies at international conferences as well as at project meetings
• contribute to project reports
• take part in teaching activities such as supervising bachelor or master thesis projects together with your supervisors, give lectures or engage in small-scale working group teaching.