PhD vacancy in Multi-Agent Organisations (TU Delft)

[Birna van Riemsdijk]

PhD Vacancy in Multi-Agent Organisations


* Job description 
This position is part of the SHINE project and will be performed as a cooperation between the Man-Machine Interaction research group at the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science, and the ICT research group at the Faculty of Technology, Policy and Management. Daily supervisors are Dr. Virginia Dignum and Dr. M. Birna van Riemsdijk and the promotor is Prof. Dr. Catholijn Jonker.

In order to understand, manage and safeguard society against abrupt changes and events in our complex world, there is an increasing need for integrated social monitoring systems that are able to access and integrate many heterogeneous information sources, including observation performed by local communities and traditional networks. This combination, augmented with new, advanced techniques for flexible sensing; software technology for data management, interpretation, dissemination and visualisation; decision making and acting offers great potential for an integrated social monitoring system. This project's main research question is: How can heterogeneous resources (people, mobile sensors, fixed sensors, social media, information systems, etc.) self-organise for answering dynamic information needs? 

This PhD project will focus on the organisational development and analysis aspects of such systems. In order to achieve their goals, actors (sensors, people, or autonomous agents) participating in integrated social monitoring systems require means for coordination and cooperation that take into account their requirements and (institutional) constraints. Participants are assumed to belong to existing organisations and to be bound by specific norms of conduct (implicit or explicit) and expectations. 

* Requirements 
As a PhD student your tasks include the following activities:
•    performing scientific research;
•    implementing research prototypes and testing them in live settings;
•    presenting results at international conferences;
•    publishing results in scientific journals;  
•    participating in the research groups' activities.

We are looking for excellent candidates who meet the following requirements:
•    an MSc degree in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence or a closely related field;
•    good programming skills;
•    good speaking and writing skills in English.  
Having a background in multi-agent systems, organisation modelling or multi-agent simulation is a plus.

* Conditions of employment 

Maximum employment: 38 hours per week (1 FTE)
Duration of contract: 4 years
Salary scale: €2042 to €2612 per month gross

In addition, TU Delft offers an attractive benefits package, including a flexible work week, free high-speed Internet access from home (with a contract of two years or longer), and the option of assembling a customised compensation and benefits package (the 'IKA'). Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities. 

* Information and application 
For more information about this position, please contact Dr. Birna van Riemsdijk, phone: +31 (0)15-2786331, e-mail: m.b.vanriemsdijk at tudelft.nl or Dr. Virginia Dignum, phone: +31-15-2788064, e-mail: : m.v.dignum at tudelft.nl . To apply, please e-mail the following:

•  an explanation of your interest in the proposed research field;
•  a Curriculum Vitae;
•  copies of diplomas and other relevant certificates;
•  a complete list of courses attended and corresponding grades;
•  names and contact details of two references;
•  proof of English language skills (if applicable).

Please send your application materials by the early application deadline of 31 January 2012 to J. Eddini, hr-eemcs.tudelft.nl. We will continue to consider applications until the position is filled. When applying for this position, please refer to vacancy number EWI12-01.

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Dr. M. Birna van Riemsdijk
assistant professor
Man-Machine Interaction Group
Department of Mediamatics
Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science
Delft University of Technology
Mekelweg 4
2628 CD Delft
The Netherlands
Room: HB 12.040
Telephone: +31 (0)15 2786331
Fax: +31 (0)15 2787141
Website: http://mmi.tudelft.nl/~birna/
Twitter: @mbirna