PhD position in modelling e-scooters dynamics and e-scooterist behaviour

How can we make mircromobility safe? Well, first we need to understand how vehicles and user behave in traffic. One way we can achieve this understanding is by modeling the dynamics of micromobility vehicles (you will focus on e-scooters) and how the user acts as a controller. As a PhD student in this project, you will work with experimental data to create models, and naturalistic data to verify the models. Your work will contribute to several sustainable development goals, e.g., 3.6 and 11.2. We are looking for a creative candidate who wants to address a timely and concrete issue in transportation and leverage a collaborative environment to increase our understanding of traffic safety.

Information about the research project
Today, micro-mobility is on the rise, posing new challenges for a safe transport system. As e-scooters have proliferated, so have e-scooterists' visits to the emergency care. Today, data about e-scooter safety are scarce but alarming. While several studies describe significant injurious outcomes from e-scooter crashes, we still lack an understanding of the injury and crash-causation mechanisms - and we are even further from developing effective countermeasures against e-scooter crashes. In the Vehicle Safety division, we apply human factors and engineering to better understand the safety problem and find solutions. Specifically, within the unit for Crash Analysis and Prevention (CAP), we create mathematical models that can explain how user behave in traffic and crash causation mechanisms. Such models may be used in intelligent vehicle systems and automated vehicles to prevent crashes. This PhD will focus on e-scooters safety.

The research will be conducted in the Crash Analysis and Prevention (CAP) unit within the division of Vehicle Safety at Chalmers. CAP's mission is to understand why crashes happen and how they can be prevented, where driver modeling and virtual safety benefit assessment are two core strategic research areas of the group. Both collaborations inside Chalmers research groups and with different stakeholders are important for the success of this project. Therefore, you will work close to researchers at CAP and the division of Vehicle Engineering and Autonoumous Systems (VEAS), visiting the facilities at both campuses regularly. About eight PhD students are currently part of CAP. Two of them focus on micromobility and will collaborate with the PhD students in this project, for instance by sharing models and tools for data processing.

Major responsibilities
Your research will focus on using data from e-scooters to improve traffic safety. Part of the work will include modelling. The model development will be based on previous literature/models and different data sources, such as naturalistic driving data and data from test-track and driving simulator experiments. The models may be implemented and verified in virtual simulations, using program languages such as Python and Matlab.

Other responsibilities as a PhD student at Chalmers include supporting teaching in BSc and MSc courses and taking more than a year of own courses (both transferable skills courses, such as ethics, writing, and project management, and research-topic-specific courses).
Because this project is shared across two divisions and involves several stakeholders, communication and collaboration are also key aspects for the project. We expect, therefore, that you will support and develop our collaborations within Chalmers and the SAFER network.

Qualifications
To qualify as a PhD student, you must have a master's level degree corresponding to at least 240 higher education credits in engineering or computer science, at the time of starting the position. It is a requirement to have experience in programming (e.g. Python and Matlab). Project work and work experience in the following domains is meritorious: a) vehicle dynamics, b) system identification, c) experience of field data, d) instrumentation of vehicles, and e) quantitative investigation of driver/human behaviors.

As the work will be conducted in a highly multi-cultural and multi-disciplinary environment cultural awareness and good collaboration and communication skills are important. It is equally important that you are quality conscious and a problem solver. As a PhD student you must be responsible, creative, and curious. We are looking for a team-player that supports a healthy job environment where honesty, respect, and transparency are among our core values.

The position requires sound verbal and written communication skills in English. If Swedish is not your native language, Chalmers offers Swedish courses.

Contract terms
Full-time temporary employment. The position is limited to a maximum of 4.5 years. 

We offer
Chalmers offers a cultivating and inspiring working environment in the coastal city of Gothenburg. 
Read more about working at Chalmers and our benefits for employees.

Chalmers aims to actively improve our gender balance. We work broadly with equality projects, for example the GENIE Initiative on gender equality for excellence. Equality and diversity are substantial foundations in all activities at Chalmers.

Learn more and apply on our website: https://www.chalmers.se/en/about-chalmers/Working-at-Chalmers/Vacancies/Pages/default.aspx?rmpage=job&rmjob=10607&rmlang=UK

Application deadline: July 15, 2022

*** Chalmers declines to consider all offers of further announcement publishing or other types of support for the recruiting process in connection with this position. *** 
   



Chalmers University of Technology conducts research and education in engineering sciences, architecture, technology-related mathematical sciences, natural and nautical sciences, working in close collaboration with industry and society. The strategy for scientific excellence focuses on our six Areas of Advance; Energy, Health Engineering, Information and Communication Technology, Materials Science, Production and Transport. The aim is to make an active contribution to a sustainable future using the basic sciences as a foundation and innovation and entrepreneurship as the central driving forces. Chalmers has around 11,000 students and 3,000 employees. New knowledge and improved technology have characterised Chalmers since its foundation in 1829, completely in accordance with the will of William Chalmers and his motto: Avancez!