TUC Position (Position closed)

Title

Short-term and long-term changes in drivers’ higher level cognitive processes when driving with driver assistance systems

Deadline

September 15, 2009;

Expected start date

November 1st, 2009

Institution

Chemnitz University of Technology

Department of Psychology

Chair in Cognitive and Engineering Psychology

Wilhelm-Raabe-Str. 43

D-09120 Chemnitz, Germany

Website: www.tu-chemnitz.de

http://www.tu-chemnitz.de/phil/psych/professuren/allpsy1/english/

City, Country

Chemnitz, Germany

Job description

The PhD applicant we are seeking has a master degree in psychology or human factors with a strong educative background in traffic psychology, experimental psychology and human factors/ergonomics. Knowledge of human factors issues related to human-machine interaction and human-machine interface design, especially in the area of road traffic, is a prerequisite. Experiences in driver behaviour research, as well as in the analysis of driver behaviour/ time series data are appreciated.

The PhD work will deal with drivers’ short-term and long-term adaptation processes in response to the increasing automation of the driving task due to the implementation of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS). Thereby, the focus will be on changes in drivers’ higher level cognitive processes (information processing, Situation Awareness, attentional processes). A major part of the PhD work will focus on the development and evaluation of innovative methodologies in investigating changes in drivers’ cognitive processes when driving with ADAS.

The PhD work will be performed in the framework of the Marie Curie Initial Training Network “ADAPTATION” (www.adaptation-itn.eu) and includes the joint realisation of driving simulator and long-term field studies by PhD students from different countries.

Example tasks during the PhD work will be:

Methodology:

  • Literature review including identification of relevant ADAS parameters that are assumed to influence drivers’ higher level cognitive processes
  • Development of an experimental design, procedures and methods applicable to study higher level cognitive processes in an applied context (driving)
  • Setting up and carrying out driving simulator and/or field studies jointly with other PhD students in the ADAPTATION network

Analysis:

  • Use of data reduction methods (time-series analysis, data mining etc.) to extract safety-related driver performance indicators
  • Statistical analyses of relevant parameters and indicators

Reporting:

  • Contribution to internal project progress reports
  • Publication in international journals

Requirements

Applicants should:

  • have a Master of Science (M. Sc.) in Psychology or human factors with a strong educative background in cognitive psychology, experimental psychology and ergonomics
  • have demonstrated skills in using statistic packages and ideally also Matlab
  • be able to carry out an individual research project
  • be open for trans-national mobility (in accordance with the Marie Curie mobility conditions) and to cooperate with other PhD students inside the network
  • take part and contribute to the training activities organised by the ADAPTATION network

All candidates must be fluent in spoken and written English. We encourage female applicants.

How to apply

Applications (in English) including a CV, certificates of the grades of examination, a motivation letter as well as two letters of recommendation should be sent by e-mail to Prof. Josef Krems (josef.krems(at)phil.tu-chemnitz.de)

Remuneration

The remuneration will be in line with the EC rules for Marie Curie grant holders and consists of a salary augmented by a net mobility allowance. http ://cordis.europa.eu/fp7.

Person to contact for further information

Prof. Josef F. Krems (mailto: josef.krems(at)phil.tu-chemnitz.de, phone: +49 371 531 36421)