Two PhD positions Forensic Science in the project "Designing and Understanding Forensic Bayesian Networks with Arguments and Scenarios"

[Bart Verheij]

PhD positions Forensic Science (2,0 fte)

Job description

These two PhD positions are part of the project "Designing and
Understanding Forensic Bayesian Networks with Arguments and Scenarios"
that is funded by the Netherlands Institute for Scientific Research in
the Forensic Science program (www.nwo.nl/forensicscience). The project
is a cooperation of the University of Groningen (Department of
Artificial Intelligence) and Utrecht University (Department of
Information and Computing Sciences) supported by partners from
forensic legal practice.

In order to prevent miscarriages of justice such as the infamous Lucia
de Berk case, the communication between forensic statisticians, crime
investigators and lawyers about statistical evidence should be
improved. It is well-known that lawyers and other non-experts in
statistics often make serious mistakes when confronted with
statistical evidence, while there is ample evidence that lawyers tend
to think in terms of arguments and scenarios. Therefore the project
aims to develop methods for supporting argumentation- and
narrative-based communication about statistical evidence. Both the
design and the understanding of models of evidence will be
investigated.

This study will be carried out in two subprojects, addressing,
respectively, argumentation and narrative techniques. Both subprojects
take the statistical formalism of Bayesian Networks as point of
departure. In the subproject performed at Utrecht University,
argumentation techniques for the design and understanding of models of
evidence will be developed. In the subproject performed at the
University of Groningen, the design and understanding of models of
evidence will be investigated using narrative techniques.

The project is the first that addresses the communicative gap between
forensic statisticians, crime investigators and lawyers, by combining
Bayesian Networks with models of scenario construction and
argumentation.

On request, we can send you the full plan for the project. In that
case, and for other questions, please contact Dr B. Verheij.

Requirements

A successful candidate has a Master's degree in Artificial
Intelligence, Computer Science, Mathematics, Philosophy, or a related
field, and has an interest in formal research in argumentation,
narrative techniques and Bayesian Networks, and their application in
forensic contexts.

Conditions of employment

The University of Groningen and Utrecht University offers a salary of
€ 2,042 gross per month in the first year up to a maximum of € 2,612
gross per month in the final year. The appointment is for a period of
four years, which should be finished with a PhD examination. The full
time appointment is temporary for 1.5 years with the perspective of
prolongation for another 2.5 years. After the first year, there will
be an evaluation of the feasibility of successful completion of the
PhD thesis within the next three years. You and your supervisors will
make up a plan for additional education and supervising that is
specific to your needs.

How to apply

Send a cover letter (with professional goals and a statement of
interest), a curriculum vitae and two letters of recommendation (PDF
format) to the job application portal before January 15th, 2011
although applications received after the deadline may be considered.
If you have a preference for one of the two subprojects, this can be
indicated in your application.

Starting date: as soon as possible.

Organisation

Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences
The two subprojects will each be performed by one PhD student in close
collaboration. One PhD student will be based at the University of
Groningen (Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Department of
Artificial Intelligence, Multi-Agent Systems group), the other at the
Utrecht University (Faculty of Science, Department of Information and
Computing Sciences, Intelligent Systems group). Both groups have a
world-class reputation, in particular in the fields of AI and law and
of Bayesian Networks. Daily supervision will be performed by Dr B.
Verheij, Prof. H. Prakken and Dr S. Renooij. The PhD student based in
Groningen will participate in the Graduate School of Science of the
Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences.

Additional information

Dr B. Verheij
b.verheij at ai.rug.nl

More information about the project

http://www.ai.rug.nl/~verheij/nwofs

More information about employer University of Groningen on AcademicTransfer.

Direct link to this job opening: http://www.academictransfer.com/12220/