Part-Funded* PhD programme: The Effects of Physical and Mental Workloads and Personality on Cognitive Processing during Urban Navigation

About the Project

The aim of this research programme will be to determine how physiological factors (e.g., cardiovascular fitness), cognitive load (e.g., dual tasking) and personality characteristics (e.g., distractibility) affect children’s and young people’s ability to attend to their environment, perceive and anticipate hazards, and make appropriate decisions when cycling on roads.

Experimental and quasi-experimental data will be collected, primarily in our state-of-the-art laboratories, but also in real-world environments. Dependent measures may include psychometric assessments, qualitative data, EEG, gaze tracking, fNIRS and motion capture. Participants will be recruited from local schools and colleges.

Candidates who have completed, or are close to completing, a master’s degree in a relevant discipline (e.g., psychology, neuroscience, sport science) are encouraged to apply. The successful candidate will be supervised by Dr Dan Bishop (1st Supervisor; https://www.brunel.ac.uk/people/dan-bishop) and Prof José Gonzalez-Alonso (https://www.brunel.ac.uk/people/jose-gonzalez-alonso).

Funding Notes

*PLEASE NOTE: although this full-time PhD opportunity is self-funded, the successful candidate will be offered a paid position, for activities directly related to the PhD, to earn approximately £9,000 (minor variations to University Job Shop rates may apply). The successful candidate will also be supported to apply for external funding, where applicable.