Computer Science: Fully Funded EPSRC and RCNDE PhD Scholarship: Real Time Tracking of Cognitive Load to Assess Human Factors During Inspections

3 Apr 2024
Job Information

Organisation/Company

Swansea University

Department

Central

Research Field

Computer science » Other

Researcher Profile

First Stage Researcher (R1)

Country

United Kingdom

Application Deadline

29 Apr 2024 - 23:59 (Europe/London)

Type of Contract

Other

Job Status

Full-time

Hours Per Week

35

Offer Starting Date

1 Oct 2024

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

Not funded by an EU programme

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

Offer Description

Computer Science: Fully Funded EPSRC and RCNDE PhD Scholarship: Real Time Tracking of Cognitive Load to Assess Human Factors During Inspections

Many industries are relocating workers from hazardous environments to supervisory rooms, where they need to engage with automated systems to perform their work. A critical challenge in human-automated systems interaction lies in effectively managing human factors such as cognitive load (CL) and emotions such as stress to ensure optimal task execution. However, currently, measuring CL involves bulky, expensive techniques such as functional magnetic resonance imaging and magnetoencephalography, limiting their practicality. Recent progress in wearable design helps non-invasively measure CL and stress by synchronously analysing physiological indicators such as Pupillometry, heart-rate variability, and skin conductivity. Regardless, previous work involved wearing eye trackers and heart monitors, which may not be suitable for real-time inspection setups. Besides, the tasks utilised to collect data for estimating CL were superficial and consequently, CL measures were task dependent. 

Thus, there is a clear need to develop less invasive and robust task-independent measures for CL. This need is particularly relevant in non-destructive evaluation (NDE), where automation is increasing, and human factors significantly contribute to uncertainties in inspection results. This project will explore corrective methods to enhance inspection reliability by developing robust measure of CL and correlating it with operator performance. With automated systems generating vast volumes of inspection data and data analysis tasks becoming more complex, addressing human factors becomes increasingly vital for ensuring the overall dependability of inspections. 

Requirements

Research Field

Computer science » Other

Education Level

Bachelor Degree or equivalent

Skills/Qualifications

Candidates must hold an Upper Second Class (2.1) honours degree or an appropriate master’s degree with a minimum overall grade at ‘Merit’ in Computer Science, Mathematics or a closely related discipline. If you are eligible to apply for the scholarship (i.e. a student who is eligible to pay the UK rate of tuition fees) but do not hold a UK degree, you can check our comparison entry requirements. Please note that you may need to provide evidence of your English Language proficiency. 

Specific Requirements

Due to funding restrictions, this scholarship is open to applicants eligible to pay tuition fees at the UK rate only, as defined by UKCISA regulations .  

Additional Information
Benefits

This scholarship covers the full cost of tuition fees and an annual stipend at £19,237.

Additional research expenses will also be available.

Eligibility criteria

Candidates must hold an Upper Second Class (2.1) honours degree or an appropriate master’s degree with a minimum overall grade at ‘Merit’ in Computer Science, Mathematics or a closely related discipline. If you are eligible to apply for the scholarship (i.e. a student who is eligible to pay the UK rate of tuition fees) but do not hold a UK degree, you can check our comparison entry requirements (see country specific qualifications ). Please note that you may need to provide evidence of your English Language proficiency. 

Due to funding restrictions, this scholarship is open to applicants eligible to pay tuition fees at the UK rate only, as defined by UKCISA regulations .  

Selection process

Please see our website for more information.

Website for additional job details

https://www.swansea.ac.uk/postgraduate/scholarships/research/computer-science-e…

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available

1

Company/Institute

Swansea University

Country

United Kingdom

City

Swansea

Postal Code

SA2 8PP

Geofield

Where to apply

Website

https://www.swansea.ac.uk/postgraduate/scholarships/research/computer-science-e…

Contact

City

Swansea

Website

https://www.swansea.ac.uk/postgraduate/scholarships/research/computer-science-epsrc-rcnde-phd-real-2024-rs584.php?utm_source=euraxess&utm_medium=scholarship&utm_campaign=postgraduate24&utm_content=pgr

Street

Singleton Park

Postal Code

SA28PP

E-Mail

[email protected]

STATUS: EXPIRED