We are looking for an enthusiastic PhD candidate for our PROBAS project
(Probabilistic decision-making Based on Arguments and Scenarios). In
this project, fundamental research on language, logic and algorithms is
combined with research into knowledge elicitation and decision-support
in the context of large forensic investigations.
**Job description**
The probabilistic Bayesian network formalism can provide the basis for
decision support in complex investigative domains where uncertainty
plays a role (e.g. forensics, risk assessment). Yet, Bayesian networks
are only sparsely used in practice because domain experts use more
informal concepts, such as scenarios and arguments, which convey
verbally expressed uncertainty (“strong arguments for the suspect’s
guilt”, “plausible scenarios in which the suspect is innocent”). We
therefore need to engineer tools for Bayesian network construction into
the heart of the decision-making process. These tools should be based on
familiar, more linguistically-oriented concepts such as arguments and
scenarios, and complemented by algorithms intended to speed up and
facilitate the process of building Bayesian networks.
The aim of this interdisciplinary project is to determine how arguments
and scenarios are used in actual decision-making, how they can be used
to construct and compare Bayesian networks, and how subsequently
mathematical and computational techniques can be used to refine and
choose between alternative networks.
The PhD candidate will perform case studies at the Dutch police on
investigation and operational risk assessment, design
knowledge-elicitation techniques based on scenarios and arguments and
study mathematical and computational techniques for comparing Bayesian
networks. The knowledge elicitation techniques and algorithms developed
will be implemented in software services that connect to existing and
new interfaces at the Dutch police.
The candidate will be part of the department of Information and
Computing Sciences' Artificial Intelligence division, working with the
Intelligent Systems group (Floris Bex, Henry Prakken) and the Decision
Support Systems group (Silja Renooij, Linda van der Gaag), in close
partnership with the Dutch National Police.
**Qualifications**
A prospective candidate has a master's degree in Artificial
Intelligence, Computer Science, Information Science, Mathematics or a
related field. The candidate should have solid mathematical knowledge
and programming skills and an interest in formal research in
argumentation, scenario-based reasoning and Bayesian networks, and their
application in forensic/police contexts.
The ideal candidate should have excellent academic qualifications as
well as good communication and collaboration skills, and candidates are
expected to be in the upper segment of their class with respect to
academic credentials and must show interest in both research and
teaching/supervision activities.
**Conditions of Employment**
The candidate is offered a full-time position for four years.
Salary starts at € 2,191 and increases to € 2,801 gross per month in the
fourth year of the appointment. The salary is supplemented with a
holiday bonus of 8% and an end-of-year bonus of 8,3% per year. In
addition we offer: a pension scheme, a partially paid parental leave,
flexible employment conditions. Conditions are based on the Collective
Labour Agreement Dutch Universities. The research group will provide the
candidate with necessary support on all aspects of the project.
**Employer**
The city of Utrecht is one of the oldest cities in the Netherlands, with
a charming old centre and an internationally oriented culture that is
strongly influenced by its century-old university. Utrecht city has been
consistently ranked as one of the most livable cities in the Netherlands.
Utrecht University's faculty of Science consists of six departments:
Biology, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Information and Computing Sciences,
Physics and Astronomy, Chemistry and Mathematics. The faculty is home to
4800 students and nearly 1500 staff and is internationally renowned for
the quality of its research. The faculty's academic programmes reflect
developments in today's society.
The department of Information and Computing Sciences has a strong
national and international reputation in computer science and AI.
Research activity within the department is housed in the Institute of
Information and Computing Sciences and comprises four divisions:
Artificial Intelligence, Interaction technology, Software systems and
Virtual worlds. The PhD candidate will become part of the Artificial
Intelligence division.
**Additional Information**
Additional information about the vacancy can be obtained from: dr Floris
Bex, [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]>, or dr Silja Renooij,
[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]>. A more detailed project
description can be provided upon request.
**Applying**
Application is through the online application system of Utrecht
University (link to job posting
<https://ssl1.peoplexs.com/Peoplexs22/CandidatesPortalNoLogin/Vacancy.cfm?PortalID=4124&VacatureID=850312&Vacancy=PhD%20position%20%22Probabilistic%20Decision%20Support%20for%20Forensic%20Investigations%22%20%281%2C0%20FTE%29#top>,
with application button). Please attach a letter of motivation,
curriculum vitae and (email) addresses of two referees. It is possible
to apply for this position if you are close to obtaining your Master's
degree. In that case include a letter of your supervisor with an
estimate of your progress.
The application deadline is *October 1, 2016*
--
Dr. Silja Renooij | Assistant Professor | Department of Information and
Computing Sciences | Universiteit Utrecht, The Netherlands |
www.uu.nl/staff/SRenooij | Available on Tue - Fri |
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