PhD scholarship: Gender Perspectives on Safety of Vulnerable Road Users – DTU Management

The Transport Division at the Technical University of Denmark (DTU) invites applications for a 3-year PhD position in the field of road safety in low- and middle-income countries. The successful candidate will join the Human Behaviour section and will work under the supervision of Assistant Professor Felix Siebert, Associate Professor Carlos Lima Azevedo from DTU and Prof. Winnie Mitullah, from the University of Kenya.

You will investigate gender-related safety differences between female and male motorcycle riders (drivers and passengers) using a combined observational and questionnaire survey methodology. Observational surveys will be used to register behavioural data, with the goal to identify safety-related behavioural patterns (similar to doi.org/10.1016/j.aap.2019.01.011, doi.org/10.1016/j.trf.2021.04.005). There is a dedicated focus on gender perspectives, i.e., we are interested in how female and male motorcycle riders might behave differently, and might have different levels of safety due to external factors (doi.org/10.1136/ip-2023-044995). Existing psychological theories, e.g., the Theory of Planned Behaviour will be used and extended to explain differences in safety related behaviours of motorcycle riders. Factors from the subjective questionnaires will be related to the impact of policy and enforcement decisions. 

The project is a strategic collaboration between DTU and its Alliance Network partner University of Nairobi (UON). At DTU you will be a member of the Human Behaviour section at the Department for Technology, Management and Economics (DTU Management). You will be based at DTU and will receive your PhD from there. You will visit UON for a fully funded one semester research stay in Nairobi, Kenya, and closely collaborate with Winnie V. Mitullah, Research Professor of Development Studies at the Institute for Development Studies (IDS) and UNESCO UNITWIN Chair, and Dr. Anne Kamau from IDS, UON.

You have an MSc background in Psychology, Human Factors, Civil Engineering, Behavior Economics or a related discipline, with preferably experience in Transport Psychology, Behavioral Modelling, Behavioral Surveys, Statistics, and Field Experiments.

Responsibilities and qualifications
Gender equality and road safety are topics which cut across multiple Sustainable Development Goals. Both issues are highly relevant for female road users in low- and middle-income countries like Kenya. Research shows that female road users have different mobility patterns from their male counterparts in LMIC, where e.g., female motorcycle users (who are more often passengers than drivers) behave safer than their male counterparts but are more at risk of injury due to their position on motorcycles. To achieve safe mobility for women in LMIC, a special consideration of their role as road users is needed, considering their specific mobility patterns and needs, but also factors relating to road related policies and enforcement.

In this project, you will collect empirical data and investigate the relation between psychological factors, legislation, enforcement, environment, and road safety related behaviour. 

Your primary tasks will be to:

• Familiarize yourself with psychological theories that help to explain individual behaviour.
• Familiarize yourself with current literature on patterns of safety-related behaviour of motorcycle riders, with an added focus on differences between female and male riders.
• Advance the state of knowledge on the relation between road safety related behaviour and psychological variables, as well as legislative settings. 
• Plan, conduct, and analyse psychological surveys among motorcycle riders in Kenya (with support from UON).
• Plan, conduct, and analyse camera-based observation surveys in Kenya, potentially using computer vision for behaviour detection (doi.org/10.1016/j.aap.2019.105319).
• Write academic papers aimed at high-impact journals.
• Participate in international conferences and workshops.
• Disseminate research results and support teaching as part of the overall PhD education.

You must have a two-year master's degree (120 ECTS points) or a similar degree with an academic level equivalent to a two-year master's degree in Psychology, Human Factors, Civil Engineering, Economics or a similar degree. Ideally, you will have experience in some of the following areas: 

• Knowledge in psychological theories relating to behaviour
• Experience with questionnaire survey design or observation survey methodologies
• Strong foundation in statistical analysis
• Curiosity and interest in cross-cultural research
• Hands on experience with empirical data collection (computer vision / automated behaviour registration is a plus)
• Strong English communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work in a multidisciplinary team
• Enthusiasm to engage in group-work with a multi-national team
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team

You are an ambitious, self-organized individual with strong project management and communication skills. Proficient English language skills are required.

Approval and Enrolment 
The scholarship for the PhD degree is subject to academic approval, and the candidate will be enrolled in one of the general degree programmes at DTU. For information about our enrolment requirements and the general planning of the PhD study programme, please see DTU's rules for the PhD education. 

Assessment
The review of applications will begin on 30 November 2024.

We offer
DTU is a leading technical university globally recognized for the excellence of its research, education, innovation and scientific advice. We offer a rewarding and challenging job in an international environment. We strive for academic excellence in an environment characterized by collegial respect and academic freedom tempered by responsibility.

Salary and appointment terms
The appointment will be based on the collective agreement with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. The allowance will be agreed upon with the relevant union. 

The period of employment is 3 years. The (proposed) starting date is the 1 February 2025 or by mutual agreement. The position is a full-time position.

You can read more about career paths at DTU here.

Further information
Further information may be obtained from Assistant Professor Felix Siebert (felix@dtu.dk).

You can read more about DTU Management at www.man.dtu.dk/english.

If you are applying from abroad, you may find useful information on working in Denmark and at DTU at DTU – Moving to Denmark. Furthermore, you have the option of joining our monthly free seminar “PhD relocation to Denmark and startup “Zoom” seminar” for all questions regarding the practical matters of moving to Denmark and working as a PhD at DTU. 

Application procedure 
Your complete online application must be submitted no later than 30 November 2024 (23:59 Danish time). Applications must be submitted as one PDF file containing all materials to be given consideration. To apply, please open the link "Apply now", fill out the online application form, and attach all your materials in English in one PDF file. The file must include:

• A letter motivating the application (cover letter)
• Curriculum vitae 
• Grade transcripts and BSc/MSc diploma (in English) including official description of grading scale

You may apply prior to ob­tai­ning your master's degree but cannot begin before having received it. 

Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.

All interested candidates irrespective of age, gender, race, disability, religion or ethnic background are encouraged to apply.

DTU Management
The Human Behaviour section and the Transportation Systems Modelling section belong to the Transport division of the Department of Technology, Management and Economics (DTU Management) at DTU. The division conducts research and teaching in the field of traffic and transport planning, with particular focus on road user behaviour modelling and analysis, machine learning, and simulation.

DTU Management conducts high-level research and teaching with a focus on sustainability, transport, innovation, and management science. Our goal is to create knowledge on the societal aspects of technology - including the interaction between technology and sustainability, business growth, infrastructure, and prosperity. Therefore, we explore and create value in the areas of management science, innovation and design thinking, business analytics, systems and risk analyses, human behaviour, regulation, and policy analysis. The department offers teaching from introductory to advanced courses/projects at BSc, MSc, and PhD level. The Department has a staff of approximately 350 people.

Technology for people
DTU develops technology for people. With our international elite research and study programmes, we are helping to create a better world and to solve the global challenges formulated in the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Hans Christian Ørsted founded DTU in 1829 with a clear mission to develop and create value using science and engineering to benefit society. That mission lives on today. DTU has 13,500 students and 6,000 employees. We work in an international atmosphere and have an inclusive, evolving, and informal working environment. DTU has campuses in all parts of Denmark and in Greenland, and we collaborate with the best universities around the world.