PhD Studentship: Metacognitive Training Intervention in Aviation (School of Engineering and Computing) University of Lancashire in United Kingdom

[Full tuition fees and annual stipend at the 2026/27 UKRI rate (£21,805) for up to 3.5 years. Includes access to the NWSSDTP’s Research Training Support Grant (RTSG) for research-related expenses.]

This ESRC-funded PhD studentship at the University of Central Lancashire offers an exciting opportunity to investigate the development and evaluation of a metacognitive training intervention in aviation. Hosted within the School of Engineering and Computing, the project aims to enhance adaptive expertise in aviation training by focusing on metacognitive monitoring and control processes during complex decision-making tasks. The research will utilize Ackerman and Thompson’s metareasoning framework to explore how trainees detect and respond to uncertainty, with the goal of designing interventions that improve decision outcomes in high-stakes environments.

The successful candidate will develop reliable behavioural markers of uncertainty during decision-making training, leveraging think-aloud protocols and verbal protocol analysis to track metacognitive states. This approach will inform the creation of training methods that bolster trainees’ awareness of uncertainty, ultimately supporting more effective strategy shifts and improved performance in aviation contexts. The project is highly interdisciplinary, drawing on cognitive psychology, human factors, and educational research, and offers the chance to contribute to both theoretical understanding and practical applications in aviation training.

The studentship is funded for up to 3.5 years full-time, covering tuition fees and an annual stipend at the 2026/27 UKRI rate (£21,805). Additional support is available through the NWSSDTP’s Research Training Support Grant, which can be used for conference attendance, specialist training, and essential research resources. The position is open to UK, EU, and International applicants, with a start date in October 2026.

Applicants should hold a UK BSc Honours degree at 2:1 level or above in Psychology or an equivalent qualification, or have completed a Masters in a relevant area such as cognitive psychology, cyberpsychology, or human factors. EU and International candidates must demonstrate English proficiency at UKVI IELTS 6.5 (no sub-score less than 6.0) or an equivalent qualification. For informal enquiries, contact Dr Beth H. Richardson at [email protected]. Applications should be submitted via the university’s online portal, quoting reference 'NWSSDTP CASE Studentship Psychology'.