Spatial temporal and human factors affecting image quality and experience of 3D in television cinema and gaming.
Interested in doing your PhD at a top university while being trained at one of the UK’s leading businesses?
This studentship is a CASE award, funded jointly by the EPSRC and by BSkyB.
Supervisors: Jenny Read (Newcastle University), Chris Johns (BSkyB).
The research environment
THE INSTITUTE
Newcastle’s Institute of Neuroscience is one of the largest gatherings of neuroscientists in the UK. Based in the attractive modern Henry Wellcome Building (currently undergoing a major new extension), it hosts a diverse group of scientists working on research in all areas of neuroscience, ranging from basic science to clinical treatments. This diversity and proximity stimulates the sort of cross-disciplinary partnership which has led to the present project. Many of the ION’s faculty are also members of the Centre for Behaviour and Evolution, a cross-faculty University research centre of which Dr Rowe is director.
THE UNIVERSITY
Newcastle University is one of the top universities in the UK (5th in the UK for employability of its graduates, 10th in the UK for student satisfaction and 12th for research power in science and engineering). It has a particularly strong reputation in the biosciences and medicine. It’s a great place to be a postgraduate, with a comprehensive range of training programmes, a large community of fellow students, and a friendly atmosphere.
THE CITY
Newcastle-upon-Tyne is a vibrant city with a great cultural life. Its compact size – you can walk across it in 15 minutes – belies its wealth of heritage and entertainment. It’s one of very few UK cities with a metro system as well as a good bus service. With a relatively low cost of living, it also offers great value compared to other cities in the UK. The University is close to the centre of the city, so you can pop out of the lab and be at the heart of the city in minutes. Take a virtual look around here.
THE REGION
Newcastle is the capital of the North East, set in some of the most beautiful countryside of the UK. The Cheviot hills, the Northumberland National Park and the rugged Northumbrian coast are just a short drive away. The North East has it all – spectacular castles such as Lindisfarne, Warkworth or Dunstanburgh, the UNESCO World Heritage site Hadrian’s Wall and its forts such as Housesteads and Vindolanda, beautiful country houses such as Wallington, Howick or Cragside, sandy beaches such as Tynemouth Long Sands or Druridge Bay. Ironically, its mining history has now left it with a wealth of country parks on the sites of old collieries, while the mining railways and waggonways form a great cycle network. Whether you enjoy hillwalking, climbing or kitesurfing, the North East is a great place to be active. Check out Jenny’s personal list of family-friendly activities here.
What we are offering
The studentship runs for 4 years, funding a 1-year Masters degree followed by a 3-year PhD. It includes all university fees and a tax-free stipend at the standard UKRC rate, currently £13,590 p.a. Exceptionally, we may consider accepting a candidate who already has a suitable Masters degree straight into the 3-year PhD programme.
Who we are looking for
This PhD studentship is only available to a UK national or to an EU national with a relevant link to the UK (see the BBSRC’s website for more details on that). Fluent English (oral and written) is essential.
We are looking for an outstanding candidate with a degree probably in engineering, maths or computing science. You should have (or on track for) a first-class degree.
Next steps
If you are interested in this studentship, please send me a CV along with a covering letter outlining why you are excited by this project and what you think you could bring to it. If you are not British, please use your cover letter to explain the key features of your country’s education system, for example, what percentage of the population obtains your qualifications. Make sure that your application includes grades for your school leaving exams (A-levels or equivalent) and for modules so far obtained on your degree.
Relevant papers
Hoffman, D. M., Karasev, V. I., Banks, M. S. (2011) Temporal presentation protocols in stereoscopic displays: Flicker visibility, perceived motion, and perceived depth. JSID, 19, 3, 271-297