PhD Studentship: Ecological Tutoring System for Air Traffic Control

Aerospace Engineering

Delft University of Technology

Human activities are increasingly being replaced by smarter automation. The demand for more automation is currently a hot topic in air traffic control, where technical solutions are sought to cope with predicted increases in air traffic volume and complexity. However, the automation paradox warns us that with more automation the human's role becomes all the more crucial. That is, intelligent technical systems require intelligent humans to supervise and operate them. Ironically, worrisome theoretical and empirical evidence indicates that automation leads to the erosion of skills and expertise. This is especially problematic in cases of automation failure, which require competent humans to save the day. But what if we could develop automation in such a way that it not only helped with task performance, but also with the development of human expertise? The goal of this project is to design and empirically evaluate an adaptive system that is able to train novices in becoming control experts. This system will be a unique combination of adaptive automation and Ecological Interface Design to result in a so-called “Ecological Tutoring System.” In contrast to conventional forms of automation that are geared toward hiding information and supplanting human activities, the envisioned system will be geared toward sharing information and collaboration. The scope of the research is air traffic control with the focus on conflict detection and resolution tasks. The results are expected to give new directions to automation design challenges in many adjacent domains.
Requirements
We are looking for a candidate with the following qualifications:
• MSc in engineering or computer science, with a strong affinity for human-machine systems research; candidates with an MSc in experimental or engineering psychology, and strong engineering skills, are also invited to apply.
• Necessary technical and software (i.e., programming) skills to adapt and augment our existing software tools and air traffic control simulators.
• Skills to set up experiments (including participant instructions, test protocols) and process the results by statistical analysis
• Ability to learn quickly and work autonomously, and a strong analytical capacity
• Proficiency in written and spoken English.
Conditions of employment
The TU Delft offers a customisable compensation package, a discount for health insurance and sport memberships, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged. An International Children’s Centre offers childcare and an international primary school. Dual Career Services offers support to accompanying partners. Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities.
As a PhD candidate you will be enrolled in the TU Delft Graduate School. TU Delft Graduate School provides an inspiring research environment; an excellent team of supervisors, academic staff and a mentor; and a Doctoral Education Programme aimed at developing your transferable, discipline-related and research skills. Please visit www.phd.tudelft.nl for more information.
Contract type: Temporary, 4 years
Employer
Delft University of Technology
Delft University of Technology (the TU Delft) is a multifaceted institution offering education and carrying out research in the technical sciences at an internationally recognised level. Education, research and design are strongly oriented towards applicability. The TU Delft develops technologies for future generations, focusing on sustainability, safety and economic vitality. At the TU Delft you will work in an environment where technical sciences and society converge. The TU Delft comprises eight faculties, unique laboratories, research institutes and schools.
Department
Aerospace Engineering
The Control and Operations Department houses the aerospace operations expertise of the Aerospace Engineering Faculty at the TU Delft.
The concentration of all operational knowledge, modelling and tools lies at the basis of the department’s strategy for the future, which is to further improve the faculty’s research and educational programme and its ties with national and international developments.
The Control and Simulation (C&S) section aims to advance the development of autonomous control systems and combined human-machine systems in aerospace, building on a solid theoretical basis and physical insights while exploiting theoretical progress in adjacent fields, and validate these systems experimentally in world-class facilities, closing the loop between theory and practice.
C&S aims to be a leading research group in the integration, development and testing of new theories on control, autonomous and cognitive systems (with and without human elements).
For more details please see here: www.academictransfer.com/34911

Funding information

Funding applies to:

Open to applicants from a range of countries

Contacts and how to apply

Administrative contact and how to apply:

For more information about this position, please contact Dr. Clark Borst, phone: +31 (0)15-2789099, e-mail: C.Borst@TUDelft.nl. To apply, please e-mail a detailed CV, publication list and two references along with a letter of application by 1 October 2016 to Dr. Borst, c.borst@tudelft.nl.
When applying for this position, please refer to vacancy number LR16-22.
If your MsC diploma and transcript are not in Dutch, English, French or German and you will be the selected candidate, the TU Delft will ask you to deliver a certified translation.
Additional information
Clark Borst
+31 (0)15-2789099
c.borst@tudelft.nl
You can apply for this opportunity using the application form on the AcademicTransfer website.

Application deadline:

1 October 2016