Centre for People @ Work, Worcester Business School
Applications are invited for a fully-funded full-time studentship to work in the area of ‘Hedonomics and manufacturing in the decorating industry: What makes DIY tools ‘compelling'?' from a consumer psychology/behaviour and/or human factors perspective. This studentship is sponsored by and in collaboration with L.G.Harris, decorating tool manufacturers.
DIY tools are not just tools for a job, they embody additional functions which are suitable subjects for deeper consumer psychological and hedonomic investigation. Hedonomics is an extension of ergonomics, whereas the latter focuses on functional aspects of tool design such as usability analysis, hedonomics takes this further by making research foci of the sensory, affective, psychological and ideological components which determine ‘pleasure in products' (Jordan, 2006).
The student will carry out a research project that will lead to the award of a higher research degree (MPhil/PhD). The student will be expected to identify, carry out and report an individual research study under the direction of Dr. Jan Francis-Smythe, Dr Ann Bicknell and Dr Nigel Hardiman from the Centre for People @ Work, a collaborative research centre between psychology and business, based in the Business School. For detailed information about the Centre please see our website: http://www.worc.ac.uk/cpaw/
Applicants should normally have an honours degree in psychology, business or marketing with some experience of consumer psychology/consumer behaviour/human factors. An MSc in a related area would be a distinct advantage. Supervision to Chartered Occupational Psychologist status is available to suitably qualified candidates. Excellent written and verbal communication skills are a must, as are a commitment and enthusiastic approach to completing a higher research degree.
The successful applicant will receive a bursary of £12,300 per annum, available from October 1st, for a period of 3 years, plus an expenses budget. Fees will be paid in full at the UK/EU rate for home and EU citizens. Overseas students are welcome to apply but will need to fund the balance of fees for Overseas Research Students.
For further details click here
Application forms can be found here: http://www.worc.ac.uk/research/studentships
For an informal discussion about the studentship please feel free to contact Jan Francis-Smythe on 01905 855242 or by email to : j.francis-smythe@worc.ac.uk
For questions regarding the application process contact Mrs Helen Tabinor, Graduate Research School Manager (tel: 01905 855012, email: h.tabinor@worc.ac.uk).
The closing date for applications is May 19th 2008
Candidates will be invited for interview on the June 10th 2008
