Fatigue and team dynamics, collaboration and cohesion in 24/7, Isolated, Confined, Extreme (ICE) environments

About this project

Contribute to the success of future space missions 

If you are seeking to build a career in the space and defence sectors and are concerned about the impact of fatigue on teamwork in extreme environments, the University of South Australia – Australia’s University of Enterprise – is offering a hands-on project-based PhD within the Behaviour-Brain-Body Research Centre (BBB).  

In 24/7 society, fatigue can have major consequences for organisational outcomes (productivity, safety, and profitability), particularly during continuous operations, where cognitively demanding, time critical tasks are carried out during periods with limited sleep. The impact of fatigue on individual performance has been studied extensively, with fatigue resulting in poor sustained and vigilant attention, slowed reaction time, and increased error rate. It has also been shown that there are clear large individual differences in how people respond to fatigue and sleep loss, with some people more resistant while others are highly vulnerable and show large performance deficits. However, in many 24/7 industries where high performing teams are required, such as space and defence, there is limited understanding of how fatigue in individuals impacts the team as a whole and in turn, team cohesion, effectiveness and overall performance.  

Teamwork is an integral aspect of spaceflight, and the isolated, confined, and extreme (ICE) environment of spaceflight is a new frontier for teamwork researchThere is an urgent need to build the knowledge base regarding the role of fatigue in team performance, through multidisciplinary research (sleep, human factors and organisational psychology) using frameworks from fatigue and teams’ sciences. 

What you’ll do

In this project-based research degree, you will be based in the BBB Research Centre's laboratories and will be supervised by a team of experienced senior and early career researchers with both fatigue and organisation psychology expertise who work regularly with industry.  

Where you’ll be based

You’ll be based within the Behaviour-Brain-Body (BBB) Research Centre. They are known for their unique approach to building resilient, healthy behaviours. BBB investigates people through the combined lens of behaviour, brain and body. 

the team of over 30 experts works collaboratively across behavioural change, fatigue and stress management, decision-making and recovery, to predict, prevent, detect and intervene, all with the aim of optimising human function. 

At BBB they blend pure research with real world contexts to help their community, government and industry partners tackle complex questions and create solutions that support behavioural resilience and promote healthy functioning. 

The enterprising way we engage with our partners pivots on our ability to bring together people with different expertise to solve these big challenges. Financial Support 

This project is funded for reasonable research expenses. Additionally, a living allowance scholarship of $35,200 (2025 rate) per annum is available to Australian and New Zealand citizens, and permanent residents of Australia, including permanent humanitarian visa holders. Australian Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander applicants will be eligible to receive an increased stipend rate of $52,352 per annum (2025 rate). A fee-offset or waiver for the standard term of the program is also included. For full terms and benefits of the scholarship please refer to our scholarship information. International applicants are not invited to apply at this time.

Eligibility and Selection 

This project is open to applications from Australian or New Zealand citizens, and Australian permanent residents or permanent humanitarian visa holders. International applicants are not invited to apply at this time.

Applicants must meet the eligibility criteria for entrance into a PhD. All applications that meet the eligibility and selection criteria will be considered for this project. A merit selection process will be used to determine the successful candidate.

The successful applicant is expected to study full-time and to be based at our Magill Campus in the east of Adelaide. 

Essential Dates 

Applicants are expected to start in a timely fashion upon receipt of an offer. Extended deferral periods are not available. Applications close on Thursday, 28 November.