THE UNIVERSITY OF NOTTINGHAM
Role Profile Form

Job Title:Research Fellow/Associate

School/Department:Faculty of Engineering – The Human Factors Research Group

Salary:£25513 to £37394 per annum, depending on skills and experience (minimum £28,695 with relevant PhD). Salary progression beyond this scale is subject to performance

Job Family and Level:Research and Teaching Level 4(Appointment will be Level 4 Career training grade where an appointment is made before PhD has been completed)

Contract Status:This post is available from 2November and will be offered on a fixed-term contract for a period of 18 months

Hours of Work:0.8FTE

Location:The University of Nottingham, Faculty of Engineering, University Park Campus

Reporting to:The post will report to Glyn Lawson and will also receive guidance from Sue Cobb (Head of the Human Factors Research Group)

Purpose of the Role:

To conduct research for an EPSRC-funded project: Sensory illusions using low-cost haptic devices to enhance spatial understanding for engineering design EP/N00549X/1. This project will research the use of strategically-positioned, easy to wear, vibrating devices for improving engineers' understanding of 3D spaces in virtual environments. The system will use low-cost technologies and support day-to-day engineering design work.

The Research Fellow will be responsible for planning and facilitating experimental research and case study evaluations using a multi-sensory feedback system in a virtual environment for engineering design.

Main Responsibilities
1. / To undertake research work within the EPSRC funded project Sensory illusions using low-cost haptic devices to enhance spatial understanding for engineering design EP/N00549X/1. This will involve working with academic and research staff in the Human Factors Research Group and industry and international academic partners.
3. / To plan and conduct research using recognised approaches, methodologies and techniques within the human factors research area.
4. / To analyse and illuminate data, interpret reports, evaluate and criticise texts and bring new insights to multi-sensory feedback in engineering design.
5. / To write up research work for publication and/or contribute to the dissemination at national/international conferences, resulting in successful research outputs.
6. / To identify opportunities and assist in writing bids for research grant applications.
7. / To build relationships with both internal and external contacts in order to exchange information, to form relationships for future collaborations and identify potential sources of funds and/or opportunities for collaboration.
8. / To co-ordinate the operational aspect of research networks, for example, arranging meetings and updating websites etc and contribute to collaborative decision making with colleagues in area of research.
9. / To provide support, guidance and supervision to other staff, where appropriate in own area of expertise.
10. / To supervise undergraduate and/or postgraduate students projects, fieldwork and placements, as appropriate. To participate in the assessment of student knowledge and co-supervise projects at Masters level.
11. / To collaborate with academic colleagues on areas of shared interest for example, course development, collaborative or joint research projects.
12. / To plan and manage own research activity and resolve problems, if required, in meeting own/team research objectives and deadlines in collaboration with others.
13. / To utilise and contribute to organising research resources and facilities, laboratories and workshops as appropriate.
14. / To make a contribution to teaching, for example through laboratory demonstrations, lectures to postgraduate workshops and/or delivery of Level 1 modules.

Knowledge, Skills, Qualifications & Experience

Essential / Desirable
Qualifications/ Education / PhDor equivalent in human factors / ergonomics, HCI, relevant area of psychology orclosely related area or the equivalent in professional qualifications and experiencein this area.
OR Near to completion of a PhD / PhD related to virtual environments.
Skills/Training / Excellent oral and written communication skills, including the ability to communicate with clarity on complex information.
High analytical ability to analyse and illuminate data (including statistical analysis), interprets reports, evaluate and criticise texts and bring new insights.
Ability to creatively apply relevant research approaches, models, techniques and methods.
Ability to plan and execute studies to answer research questions.
Ability to assess and organise resource requirements and deploy effectively.
Ability to build relationships and collaborate with others, both internally and externally. / Ability to foster a research culture and commitment to learn in others.
Experience / Some practical experience of applying the specialist skills and approaches and techniques required for the role.
Experience in use of research methodologies and techniques to work within multi-sensory simulation, virtual environments or engineering design. / Previous success in gaining support for externally funded research projects.
Experience of developing new approaches, models,techniques or methods in research area.
Experience of working with industry or in the commercial sector.

Decision Making

i)Taken independently by the role holder;

  • Making individual/team decisions about experimental design and research direction.
  • To assist in preparing applications for new research funding.
  • Maintenance and repair of equipment and apparatus.

ii)Taken in collaboration with others;

  • Planning general research programme and direction.
  • Collaborative research applications.
  • Direction of students/collaborators research.
  • Investigation and decisions about new apparatus/equipment for the group.
  • Publication decisions, papers, conference abstracts etc.
  • Proposals for grant application.
  • Strategy for long term research programme.

iii)Referred to the appropriate line manager by the role holder

  • Wider research strategy of our research group
  • Purchase decisions.

Additional Information

The role will require frequent travel within the UK to project partner sites and occasional overseas travel.
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