UK : PhD Studentship: understanding errors in the use of interactive medical devices

University College London - UCL Interaction Centre

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 (www.uclic.ucl.ac.uk), the student will be part of an internationally leading Human-Computer Interaction group within the CHI+MED project.

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.

Under the supervision of Duncan Brumby and Anna Cox, 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.

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.

British and EU nationals who meet the UK residency requirements, as defined by EPSRC (http://www.epsrc.ac.uk/PostgraduateTraining/StudentEligibility.htm), 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.

Further information about the studentship and instructions on how to apply can be found at http://www.uclic.ucl.ac.uk/opportunities/2009 CHI+MED studentship.doc, while information about the CHI+MED project is available at www.chi-med.ac.uk. Informal queries can be directed to Duncan Brumby (Brumby@cs.ucl.ac.uk, tel. 020 7679 0689) or Anna Cox (Anna.Cox@ucl.ac.uk).The studentship runs for 42 months full-time starting January 2010 or as soon as possible thereafter.

Closing date for applications is 6 December 2009.

Interviews will be held on 17 December 2009.

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