University of Nottingham

What you'll study

The doctoral programme is research-led and built around an individual supervised project. You will design and carry out an original programme of research addressing a human factors problem, drawing on theoretical frameworks and a range of methods. Typical topics include cognitive ergonomics, usability and user experience, human error and safety, workload and situational awareness, human–machine interaction, automation and trust, and system design for resilience.

Training and taught components typically cover advanced research methods and analysis techniques relevant to human factors, such as experimental design, multivariate statistics, time-series and mixed-effects modelling, qualitative methods, cognitive task analysis, simulator and field study protocols, physiological measurement and eye-tracking, and user-centred design and evaluation methods. Students may take short structured modules or workshops in research methods, ethics, and academic writing, and are encouraged to present work at seminars and conferences.

The PhD normally includes a progression review (or viva voce transfer) early in the candidature, annual monitoring, and a final thesis defended at a viva. Students often collaborate with industry or partner organisations and may be co-supervised across disciplines such as psychology, engineering, computer science, and health sciences.

Entry requirements

Applicants are normally expected to hold a good honours degree (UK 2:1 or equivalent) in psychology, engineering, computer science, human factors/ergonomics, or a closely related discipline. A relevant master's degree with a substantial research component is advantageous. Candidates without a postgraduate qualification will need to demonstrate substantial research experience and potential.

Applicants must submit a research proposal or outline of proposed research, academic references, and a CV. Admission decisions consider the fit between the applicant’s research interests and available supervisors. International applicants must meet the University’s English language requirements and provide certified academic transcripts; specific equivalencies are assessed at application.

Career prospects

Graduates from the Human Factors PhD programme move into a wide range of careers in academia, industry and public-sector organisations. Common roles include university researcher or lecturer, user experience (UX) researcher, human factors/ergonomics specialist, safety and systems engineer, and applied researcher in sectors such as aviation, rail and automotive, defence, healthcare and medical devices, and transport policy.

PhD holders may also work in consultancy, regulatory bodies, and research and development teams where expertise in human performance, risk assessment, usability testing, and the integration of people and technology is required. The programme prepares graduates for roles that demand advanced analytical skills, independent research capability and interdisciplinary collaboration.

Why study at University of Nottingham

The University of Nottingham provides a multidisciplinary research environment with supervisors working across psychology, engineering, computer science and health. Students benefit from access to specialist facilities such as usability and cognitive laboratories, driving and transport simulators, physiological measurement equipment and dedicated seminar series.

The University has established links with industry and public-sector partners, supporting applied projects and opportunities for collaborative research. Doctoral students are supported through supervisory teams, doctoral training provision, and a research community that encourages publication, conference attendance and cross‑disciplinary engagement. The campus setting and research infrastructure offer a strong foundation for developing a career in human factors research and applied practice.