PhD Position in Computational Social Choice at ILLC

The Institute for Logic, Language and Computation (ILLC) at the University of Amsterdam is looking for a highly motivated PhD student to work on problems in computational social choice and the logic-based modelling of mechanisms for collective decision making. The position is part of the new NWO Vidi project on "Collective Decision Making in Combinatorial Domains" led by Dr. Ulle Endriss.

Institute for Logic, Language and Computation

The Institute for Logic, Language and Computation (ILLC) is an interdisciplinary research institute of the University of Amsterdam, in which researchers from the Faculty of Science and the Faculty of Humanities collaborate. Research at the ILLC draws from a wide range of different disciplines, including logic, mathematics, computer science, artificial intelligence, linguistics, cognitive science, philosophy and game theory.

Project

The project will bring together ideas from computer science, artificial intelligence, multiagent systems, computational logic, and social choice theory to develop and analyse mechanisms for collective decision making when the set of possible agreements has a combinatorial structure. Exemplary applications include resource allocation problems with indivisible goods and the study of voting rules for committee elections. Further details on the project and the position are available at http://www.illc.uva.nl/~ulle/vidi/.

Candidate Profile

The successful candidate will have an excellent Master's degree (or equivalent qualification) in Computer Science or another discipline relevant to the project (e.g. Logic, Artificial Intelligence, or Economics) by the time of their appointment. Applicants should have a strong interest in pursuing fundamental research of an interdisciplinary nature. Good communication skills in English, both oral and written, are essential.

Appointment

The appointment will be for a period of four years (initially one year, with a further three years after a positive evaluation) and should lead to a dissertation. The gross monthly salary will be in accordance with university regulations for academic personnel, and will range from EUR 2000 (first year) to a maximum of EUR 2558 (final year). While the focus of the appointment is on research training, it will include moderate teaching duties in subjects relevant to the candidate's own research activities. The preferred starting date is 1 September 2008.

Job Application

Applications should include a letter of motivation, a detailed curriculum vitae, a transcript of grades and courses, and the names and contact details of two academic referees. If possible, please also include a link to a writing sample available online (such as your MSc thesis). Applications should be sent to Dr. Ulle Endriss (ulle@illc.uva.nl), Institute for Logic, Language and Computation, Universiteit van Amsterdam, Plantage Muidergracht 24, 1018 TV Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Electronic applications are strongly preferred (if possible, please send a single PDF file).

We will start reviewing application on 1 June 2008 and hope to make a decision soon after that, but applications will continue to be accepted until the position is filled.

Further Information

NWO Vidi Project "Collective Decision Making in Combinatorial Domains" at http://www.illc.uva.nl/~ulle/vidi/
Institute for Logic, Language and Computation at http://www.illc.uva.nl/
Working at the UvA (information for international members of staff) at http://www.medewerker.uva.nl/english

For additional information on the project or the open position, please feel free to contact Ulle Endriss (ulle@illc.uva.nl).