Understanding the Human Spatial Navigation in Complex Urban Environment

The Schools of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Science & Computer Science at The University of Birmingham invites applications for a competitive PhD studentship funded by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC). This research studentship is centred on the study of human navigation in urban environments, leveraging the latest advancements in VR, robotics, computer vision, and AI technologies.

Project Overview: This PhD project will focus on developing an in-depth understanding of how humans interact with and navigate through complex urban spaces. The research will involve the application of cutting-edge technologies such as Mobile Eye-Tracking, Virtual Reality (VR), Simultaneous Localisation and Mapping (SLAM), motion tracking, and deep-learning-based computer vision algorithms. These technologies will be used to capture and analyse the comprehesive dynamics of human movement and spatial awareness in a range of Urban navigation settings.

Under the supervision of experts in this area, the successful candidate will contribute to a growing body of knowledge in this innovative field. This work has the potential to inform many related areas, such as urban planning, transportation safety, and autonomous vehicle controls, as well as improve the general understanding of the neuroscience of human-environment interactions.

Candidate Requirements: The ideal candidate will possess a strong academic background in psychology, geography, engineering, computer science, applied mathematics, or a related field with a first-class honour (70% and above). As the project requires intensive use of state-of-the-art techniques, prior coding experience in deep-learning computer vision algorithms or ROS would be preferred. More importantly, essential to this role is the ability to independently conduct research activities. We seek a researcher with a keen interest in technology and innovation, capable of handling complex datasets and eager to explore the intersection of human behaviour and technology in outdoor environments.

University Environment and Support: The candidate will become part of a vibrant academic community of The Unversity of Birmingham, gaining access to a range of resources and facilities. The host department, The School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences, is committed to providing a supportive environment for professional development, including opportunities for presenting research findings at international conferences and publishing in respected journals.

Application Details: Interested applicants should prepare a comprehensive application (for details, see https://warwick.ac.uk/fac/cross_fac/mgsdtp/studentships/howtoapply/). Applications must be submitted through the university’s online application system by the specified deadline. However, it is strongly encouraged that candidates first contact Dr Yeo to arrange an interview, either in person or via virtual platforms, as a supporting statement from him is required in the application. The deadline for applications is 21st January 2025. However, to allow time to prepare your application package and interview, interested candidates are encouraged to contact Dr Yeo as soon as possible.

We invite you to apply for this exciting opportunity to contribute to a pioneering research project at the forefront of human behavioural research