PhD Position in Artificial Intelligence at Delft University of Technology

The Delft University of Technology offers a PhD position in Artificial Intelligence for the academic session 2021-2022. This project will test the ability of hyper-heuristic methods to find efficient tradeoffs across global climate mitigation policies.

As a PhD candidate, you will be enrolled in the TU Delft Graduate School.

Summary

Project Description

The effects of climate change are expected to exacerbate existing inequalities, prompt social unrest and lead to stark geopolitical tensions. To address the interests and well-being of all the affected parties and minimise conflict, distributive justice should be at the front and centre of policy design. The importance of considering distributive justice in climate policy motivates research in AI-based decision support to search for balanced alternatives across multiple sectors, regions, and generations and counteract existing asymmetries in policy design.

The consequences of these efficient strategies at the global level will then be evaluated at the transboundary river basin level, refining the search by testing novel definitions of distributive justice in their ability to balance regional, multi-sectorial and inter-generational conflicts where these serve as feedbacks to guide the search in global climate policy.

This PhD position is one of the four PhD positions in the Hippo Lab (Hyper-heuristics for interpretable public policy analysis), which is part of the TU Delft Artificial Intelligence initiative to channel expertise in AI foundations to tackle societal and scientific challenges. The Hippo lab’s core goal is to advance multi-purpose decision support using collaborative AI and heuristic methods.

You will work as part of an interdisciplinary team between the Interactive Intelligence section in the Intelligent Systems (INSY) department at the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science (EEMCS) and the Policy Analysis section in the Multi-Actor systems (MAS) department at the Faculty of Technology Policy and Management (TPM), tackling the following significant scientific challenges via the Hippo lab:

1. How can we integrate subjective notions of ethics and fairness into algorithmic design? 2. How can we create definitions of success to find effective and equitable tradeoffs in policy search?
3. How can we develop interpretable AI methods to gain public confidence and provide unbiased support in real decision-making contexts?
4. How can we support public policy deliberation via collaborative AI methods?

The Hippo lab is a Delft Artificial Intelligence Lab. Artificial Intelligence, Data and Digitalisation are becoming increasingly important when looking for answers to significant scientific and societal challenges. In a DAI-lab, experts inthe fundamentals of AI technology’ and experts in ‘AI challenges’ run a shared lab. As a PhD, you will work with at least two academic staff members and three other PhD candidates.

In total, TU Delft will establish 24 DAI-Labs, where 48 Tenure Trackers and 96 PhD candidates will have the opportunity to push the boundaries of science using AI. Each team is driven by research questions that arise from scientific and societal challenges and contribute to the development and execution of domain-specific education.

You will receive a 5-year contract and be deployed for AI-related education for the usual teaching effort for PhD students in the faculty plus an additional 20%. The extra year compared to the standard 4-year contract accommodates 20% of other AI, Data and Digitalisation education-related activities. All team members have many opportunities for self-development. You will be a member of the thriving DAI-Lab community that fosters cross-fertilisation between talents with different expertise and disciplines.

Application Deadline

The deadline for applications is April 04, 2021 

Eligibility Criteria

The candidate must have:

• Completed an MSc degree in artificial intelligence, computer science, policy analysis, systems analysis, operations research, civil and environmental engineering, economics or in a field relevant to the PhD research
• Demonstrated competences in one or more of the following categories: in AI, i.e. multi-objective optimisation, climate change mitigation and adaptation, water resources management, policy analysis and systems analysis.
• A proven record and interest in further developing your modelling, programming, analytical and scientific writing skills
• Demonstrated programming capabilities
• Ability to work independently
• Affinity with teaching and guiding students
• Team spirit and open personality for cooperation with colleagues and co-supervision of students

Conditions of employment

TU Delft offers PhD-candidates a 4-year contract, with an official go/no go progress assessment after one year. Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, increasing from € 2395 per month in the first year to € 3061 in the fourth year. The TU Delft Graduate School provides an inspiring research environment with an excellent team of supervisors, academic staff and a mentor. The Doctoral Education Programme is aimed at developing your transferable, discipline-related and research skills.

The TU Delft offers a customisable compensation package, discounts on health insurance and sport memberships, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged. For international applicants, we offer the Coming to Delft Service and Partner Career Advice to assist you with your relocation.

TU Delft (Delft University of Technology)

The Delft University of Technology is built on strong foundations. As creators of the world-famous Dutch waterworks and pioneers in biotech, TU Delft is a top international university combining science, engineering and design. It delivers world-class results in education, research and innovation to address challenges in energy, climate, mobility, health and digital society.

For generations, our engineers have proven to be entrepreneurial problem-solvers, both in business and in a social context. At TU Delft, we embrace diversity and aim to be as inclusive as possible (see our Code of Conduct). Together, we imagine, invent and create solutions using technology to impact a global scale positively.

Challenge. Change. Impact! 

Faculty Technology, Policy and Management

With its excellent education and research at the intersection of technology, society and policy, the Faculty of TPM contributes to solving complex technical-social issues, such as energy transition, mobility, digitalisation, water management and (cyber) security. We combine insights from the engineering sciences, the social and the humanities. We develop robust models and designs, are internationally oriented and have an extensive network with knowledge institutions, companies, social organisations and governments.

Additional information

For more information about this vacancy, please contact Jazmin Zatarain Salazar, Assistant Professor, email: J.ZatarainSalazar@tudelft.nl, tel: + 310621844151.

For more information about the selection procedure, please contact Olivie Beek, HR Advisor, email: hr-tbm@tudelft.nl.

Application Process

To apply, please submit the following documents:

– Motivation letter (max 1 page), addressed to Dr Jazmin Zatarain Salazar
– Curriculum vitae (max two pages)
– Names and contact information of 3 references
– Writing sample (e.g. a paper or part of your thesis)

Note

• You can only apply online. We will not process applications sent by email and / or post
• Incomplete applications will not be processed
• A pre-Employment screening can be part of the selection procedure
• Acquisition in response to this vacancy is not appreciated

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