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PhD'ship in Human-Systems Interaction for Wellth - Designing Interactive Systems for Health and Wel

Employer
Global Academy Jobs
Location
United Kingdom
Closing date
Aug 1, 2016

Job Details

PhD’ship in Human-Systems Interaction for Wellth – Designing Interactive Systems for Health and Wellbeing

Agents, Interactions & Complexity

Location:  Highfield Campus
Closing Date:   Monday 01 August 2016
Reference:  698016FP

Applications are invited for a PhD scholarship to start anytime between now and September 2016. This scholarship will fund students for their tuition fees, a stipend to cover living expenses and a Research Training Support Grant for research consumables and conference attendance. This role will be based at the WellthLab of the Agents Interaction and Complexity Group within the Electronics and Computer Science Department.

Our goal with these PhD’s is to explore and develop the role of interactive systems, at cultural, social and individual levels, to support a more pervasive, better, healthier normal.

The aim of our work is to create novel methods, frameworks and prototypes for design and evaluation of Wellth systems, where outcomes can be deployed and evaluated at scale. By wellth we mean we look at Health and Wellbeing practices not primarily for illness prevention but as performance or aspiration enablers. There is sufficient research to show that (i) our brains are part of (not separate from) our bodies, and that (ii) anything one aspires towards can be improved by improving health and wellbeing.Our approach is to ground our work in real problems and to partner with people and organizations seeking to benefit from such approaches.

Motivation: Our current “normal” daily life practices are killing us: we are increasingly sick and stressed, and having to pay for this all at the same time. Healthcare costs are skyrocketing, driven in no small part by the rise of what the World Health Organization calls “lifestyle conditions” like Type II Diabetes, cardio vascular disease, fatty liver disease, obesity. Mental health issues – including stress – are the highest cost to the NHS in the UK. Time out of work from stress likewise affects both the individual worker and the enterprise in lost time, expertise, and the cost to everyone else on staff to pick up the extra load. The knock on effects reach to national levels for GDP and to markers of national success like innovation and quality of life. We know that healthier, fitter people are less subject to illness, handle stress better, and perform better interllectually. How, therefore, can intelligent interactive systems help support such a Wellthy perspective as a new normal?

Aspiration: That the work from the WellthLab will lead research in human systems interaction for Wellth, where our work is demonstrated to make a real and meaningful difference, at scale, to help improve quality of life and make better normal.

The ideal candidate should have an MEng/MSc (or equivalent, or near completion) with first class honours or distinction in Computer Science, Engineering, or a closely related subject and with experience in Human Computer Interaction methods first and foremost, but supplementary interest in machine learning, AI, complexity science, data, is welcome. This studentship is only available to UK/EU applicantsfor a period of 3 years. The AIC group will provide research experience in one of its programs, training, facilities and access to its seminar and lectures. Students would also be encouraged to present work at  major conferences during their period of study and would have access to all university facilities for wider study, including the libraries, and recreation.

Prospective candidates are encouraged to contact m.c. schraefel, (mc@ecs.soton.ac.uk) Prof of Computer Science and Human Performance directly for further details.

To apply please send a CV, links to relevant publications, the names of two referees and a covering letter explaining your current interests and relevant background to Ms. Carol Mapstone (c.mapstone@soton.ac.uk).  Please note that the successful candidate will be asked to submit  PhD research application online to ensure they have met all necessary admissions criteria. http://www.southampton.ac.uk/courses/how-to-apply/postgraduate-applications.page

Further information about prof. schraefel’s research: http://www.ecs.soton.ac.uk/~mc and about the Agents Interaction and Complexity Group http://aic.ecs.soton.ac.uk/about.html

We aim to be an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all sections of the community. Please note that applications from agencies will not be accepted unless indicated in the job advert.

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Global Academy Jobs works with over 250 universities worldwide to promote academic mobility and international research collaboration. Global problems need international solutions. Our jobs board and emails reach the academics and researchers who can help.

"The globalisation of higher education continues apace, driving in turn the ongoing development of the global knowledge economy, striving for solutions to the world’s problems and educating a next generation of leaders and contributors."

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