PhD Studentship: Navigation and Large-scale Spatial processing in Autistic Spectrum Disorder

Applications are invited for a three-year full-time PhD Studentship in Psychology at the University of Hertfordshire (UH).

Project detail:

Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) can be characterised by a cognitive bias to process local features and egocentric perspectives, affecting performance on small-scale, spatial tasks. More recently, the behavioural impact of these cognitive differences, using large-scale navigation tasks has shown both a superiority and a deficit in navigation. Inconsistencies are perhaps expected given the heterogenous nature of ASD and the multiple cognitive processes involved in navigation, however the lack of a consistent theoretical framework within the field may also contribute to these inconsistencies. Arguably, one of the most robust spatial memory theories is the Cognitive map theory, proposing that the hippocampus combines landmark and self-motion cues to form an allocentric representation of space. These contradictory findings suggest that the cognitive map in ASD is qualitatively rather than quantitively different from a population without ASD. The aim of this PhD is therefore to carry out a set of systematic experiments examining the characteristics of the Cognitive Map in ASD.

The candidate will work within a multi-disciplinary team to use immersive, virtual reality paradigms, eye-tracking technology and Bayesian analysis, to investigate how children and adults with varying ASD traits use landmark, goal and self-motion cues to guide navigation. Successful candidates will have an opportunity to do some teaching or project supervision, for which training will be provided.

Supervisors:

Principal supervisor: Dr Rebecca Knight (r.knight4@herts.ac.uk)

Remaining supervisory team: Dr Caroline Whyatt (c.whyatt@herts.ac.uk) and Dr Shazia Akhtar (s.akhtar8@herts.ac.uk)

Entry Requirements:

Applicants should have at least a 2:1 Honours degree (or equivalent) in Psychology or a similar field. A Master’s degree in Psychology and familiarity with Virtual Reality methods is desirable but not essential. In addition, applicants should have excellent personal, oral and written communication skills, as well as confidence in scientific research methods.

Opportunities for further training will be available, for example through our Researcher Development Programme.

Funding information:

The studentship will provide a tax-free stipend over 3 years (full-time), currently £17,688 per annum (standard RCUK rate) plus home tuition fees at the UK rate. A successful international/EU applicant would be required to pay the difference from home fees.

For further information about the PhD topic, please email Dr Rebecca Knight (r.knight4@herts.ac.uk) using the subject line “Navigation in ASD PhD Studentship Application”.

Closing date: 3^rd January 2023

Interviews will take place the week beginning: 16^th January 2023.

How to apply

To apply for the studentship please download the application form. Completed applications should be emailed to the Doctoral College Admissions Team, using the following format in the email subject line: “LMS_ Navigation in ASD PhD Studentship_YOUR NAME”.

With your application, you will also need to provide:

• two academic references
• copies of qualification certificates and transcripts
• certification of English language competence (minimum IELTS 6.5 or equivalent) for candidates for whom English is not their first language.

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