Postdoc Position in Computational Social Choice

The Institute for Logic, Language and Computation (ILLC) at the University of Amsterdam is looking for a strong candidate to work as a postdoctoral research fellow on 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

Prospective candidates should hold or be about to obtain a PhD degree in a field relevant to the project (such as Logic, Artificial Intelligence, Multiagent Systems, Computer Science or Social Choice Theory), and have a proven track record of excellence in research, as witnessed by publications in relevant conference proceedings or journals. Most importantly, they should be open to interdisciplinary work and enthusiastic about being involved in what is a new, dynamic and fast expanding field of research. Good communication skills in English, both oral and written, are essential.

Appointment

The appointment will be for a period of three years (initially one year, with a further two years after a positive evaluation). The gross monthly salary will be in accordance with university regulations for academic personnel, and will range from EUR 2740 to EUR 3597 (scale 10), depending on experience and qualifications. While this is primarily a research position, the successful candidate will be given the opportunity to participate in teaching activities to further improve their CV. The preferred starting date is 1 February 2008, but there is some flexibility.

Job Application

Applications should include a letter of motivation, a detailed curriculum vitae, a list of publications, and the names and contact details of two or three academic referees. If possible, please also include links to an online version of your PhD thesis and to relevant publications. Applications should be sent to Dr. Ulle Endriss (ulle at 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).

All applications received by 9 November 2007 will be assured of full consideration, although applications will 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 at illc.uva.nl).