This is one of many projects in competition for the current funding opportunities available within the Department of Psychology

Primary supervisor: Dr Stuart Wilson - (s.p.wilson<στο>sheffield.ac.uk)

Project description: Rapid developments in bioengineering, computer science, psychology, and biomedicine are leading to increasing levels of interaction between humans and emerging biotechnologies in a wide range of settings from the clinic to the classroom. The use of these new technologies takes many forms, including implants, prosthetics, drugs and devices that modify or augment the body, and at the same time create new forms of individual and collective identity. These changes challenge both existing scientific and cultural categories and blur the boundaries between natural, social, and synthetic objects. Bio-hybrid systems are networks of reciprocally interacting units, where one or more of those units are the product of nature, and one or more are designed by people. Bio-hybrid systems can emerge or be created at each of the scales at which natural systems can be defined; at the microscopic scale where biomaterials, drugs, and devices interact with the molecular and cellular processes of the body; at the mesoscopic scale where individual organisms interact with synthetic objects and robots to achieve shared goals; and at the macroscopic scale where smart cities and ecosystems can harbour new forms of society. Projects under this theme will be focussed on identifying common principles underlying research on biohybrid systems, biohybrid humans, and biohybrid societies.

Start date: 1 October 2015

Requirements:  Applicants must have, or expect to obtain, a minimum of a first class or high upper second-class honours degree in psychology or a related discipline. In general awards are usually made to applicants with first class undergraduate degrees and/or at least a merit at masters level.

For further details and the application process please visit: www.sheffield.ac.uk/psychology/prospectivepg/funding