Human factors Defence Research Summer Vacation Scholarships

Here are the Human factors projects for Australian Defence Science and Technology Organisation (DSTO) Scholarships. DSTO is offering 68 university students $4,050 tax-free each for a 12-week research project in the Summer Vacation Scholarship Program. Applications can be made online and close 19 July 2009, with the projects running from late November 2009 to mid February 2010 accross Australia.

The Projects

MPD 05 A Review of Fatigue and Performance Models

The Navy Personnel and Material Sustainment Group in MPD are currently involved in a number of research studies where fatigue is one of the key issues. It is well known that fatigue is a persistent occupational hazard and may be an influence in many human factors accidents. Fatigue is also very much part of life within the Royal Australian Navy (RAN), where work demands and stress are high. Part of the research conducted within MPD aims at providing recommendations and initiatives to mitigate against fatigue and improve safety within the RAN.

Over the last decade there has been an increased interest in technologies and procedures that are capable of monitoring and predicting fatigue and performance. This interest has largely been brought about by the requirement for more effective fatigue countermeasures in the transport sector. Within this context, the Navy Personnel and Material Sustainment Group in MPDhave purchased and used technologies capable to some extent of detecting and predicting fatigue. An important aspect for these technologies is that they are properly validated and that critical reviews are conducted before use. This means that the models must be a predictor of fatigue-related performance errors. This project aims to compare and contrast the features and capabilities of two fatigue and performance models and to identify critical gaps in fatigue and performance research. The aim is to review, evaluate and validate these models and provide recommendations on the most appropriate technologies for use within MPD's research mandate.The two models under review will be: o The Fatigue Audit InterDyne (FAID) {1}; o Sleep, Activity, Fatigue and Task Effectiveness Model (SAFTE) {2} o Literature Review o Software Review and Evaluation o Basic Statistical Analysis o Report Writing

The two models will be compared using experimental data available from past experiments carried out by the Navy Personnel and Material Sustainment Group. The outcome of this project will include a report which will cover a description of the models and the results from the validation process. The project will be split up into different phases. 1. A literature review with the aim being to collect data on these models. Important aspects of these models are validity, reliability, generisabililty and sensitivity. This will involve a comparison and critique of these models. 2. Utilising experimental data to evaluate validate and compare the two models. 3. A report which will include information on the review, evaluation and validation results of these models

Human factors: Psychology, Science Maritime Platform Division DSTO Fishermans Bend

PRD 01 Capability Technology Demonstration - Project Maturity Program

Develop options for how the CTD & CTD-EP Programs might improve the ability for existing industry technology projects to enter Defence service

Using imagination and new approaches, consider and develop commercial and technical approaches to improve acceptance of new technology for operational use.

Industrial studies, technical policy, technology commercialisation, engineering & science.

Computer literacy to prepare reporting, tables and presentations. A willingness to look at new and novel commercialisation approaches for high technology industry.

The candidate would be advantaged by having completed some study in commercialisation of technology and an understanding of basic engineering

Projects & Requirements Division DSTO Canberra