From: fay@archsci.arch.su.oz.au ()
Subject: PSYCHOLOGIST - RESEARCH, UNIVERSITY OF SYDNEY
Reply-To: fay@archsci.arch.su.oz.au ()
Organization: Dept of Architectural & Design Science, University of Sydney, Australia
Date: Mon, 11 Jan 1993 06:35:02 GMT

THE UNIVERSITY OF SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA
Department of Architectural and Design Science

PSYCHOLOGIST - Research Assistant / Senior Research Assistant
Reference No: C01/11 

Applications are invited for an interdisciplinary project on the cognitive
processes involved in the design of objects.  Design represents a unique form
of human problem solving requiring both creativity and innovation and the
analytic use of knowledge from a variety of disciplines.  Design is also
important in the wider context of the community as design makes a significant
contribution to a society's quality of life and economy.  Research into the
cognitive processes involved in design will, as a result, make a contribution
to the general area of human problem solving as well as providing an
understanding of a process of significance to society.  Specifically design
can be seen as a particular example of complex human problem solving of the
type examined in the pioneering work of Newell and Simon.  It can also be seen
in the context of studies of expertise which developed from this initial work.
 However design also has special aspects which link the study of design to
other areas.  For example, because design often invovles innovation and
creativity, it links to much of the recent work in the areas of similarity and
analogical reasoning.  For the same reason design is also linked to a much
older area of research which has also been receiving recent attention.  This
is the area of fixation in problem solving initially studied by the Gestalt
psychologists but which has been taken up more recently in terms of the
conditions which can overcome fixation being indicative of ways in which
creativity could be enhanced.

Because the project both is inter-disciplinary and involves linking of a
variety of areas within psychology, the position calls for a strong background
in cognitive psychology with particular emphasis on human problem solving and
recent cognitive approaches to learning and memory.  Experience in empirical
research and associated methodologies from cognitive psychology is essential
together with an interest in other methodologies, such as protocol studies,
which are appropriate in more complex research situations than the traditional
laboratory setting.

The project is funded for three years by the Australian Research Council. 
Appointment will be to 31 December 1993 in the first instance with renewal to
31 December 1995 subject to performance and the availability of funds. Further
information from Dr A. T. Purcell, Phone +61-2-692 3206 or Professor John Gero,
Phone +61-2-692 2328, Fax +61-2-692 3031, Email terry@archsci.arch.su.edu.au or
john@archsci.arch.su.edu.au

Salary:  Research Assistant $24,755 - $31,027
         Senior Research Assistant $33,304 - $38,125

Applications, quoting reference number, including curriculum vitae,
qualifications, phone no. and the names, addresses and phone no's. of two
referees to the Assistant Registrar (Appointments), Staff Office (K07),
University of Sydney NSW 2006, Australia by 21 January 1993.

--------------
  Fay Sudweeks  -----  Department of Architectural and Design Science 
  University of Sydney NSW 2006 Australia ----- Tel (61) (2) 692 2328 
  Fax (61) (2) 692 3031 -------- Internet: fay@archsci.arch.su.edu.au