PhD Studentships in Extreme Event Decision Making, Coventry University

UK. Available Phd Studentships within Department of Built Environment, Faculty of Engineering and Computing, for suitably qualified and highly motivated individuals. The successful applicants will be working alongside the investigator of EPSRC-funded Community Resilience to Extreme Weather (CREW) project, which involves partners from 15 British Universities.

The appointed student will develop a model for enhancing constructive decision making during extreme events through appropriate deployment of psychological and social science theories. The research will investigate and generate insights of the processes and interdependencies between various constituencies of decision making during extreme events.

The empirical work will involve interviews and focus group workshops with policy makers and key stakeholders of the communities, as well as appropriate applications of qualitative and/or quantitative research methodology. The student will work collaboratively with researchers from partner institutions.

Applications are encouraged from potential UK, EU and International students who have a good first degree in a relevant discipline. A preference will be given to applicants from social science, (cognitive) psychology and disaster management background.

Understanding of qualitative research methodology and/or cognitive mapping techniques is essential. The successful applicant should have the ability to work independently and collaboratively, and possess excellent communication and interpersonal skills. This studentships offers a three-year tax-free bursary of £12,940 per annum and fees at UK/EU rate.

Applicants should send a detailed CV (with a minimum of 2 referees, who will be contacted for shortlisted candidates) and covering letter to:

Dr. Robby Soetanto , Department of Built Environment , Faculty of Engineering and Computing , Sir John Laing Building, Coventry University , Coventry , CV1 5FB , UK or via e-mail to Robby.Soetanto@coventry.ac.uk

The closing date for application is 21st March 2008. Informal inquiries may made to Dr. Robby Soetanto (Robby.Soetanto@coventry.ac.uk), telephone +44 (0)24 7679 5189.