Research Associate on Learning and Reasoning in Social Contexts: Theoretical Models for collaboration between agents

The Department of Computer Science seeks to employ two postdoctoral researchers to work in Learning and Reasoning in Social Contexts: Theoretical Models for collaboration between agents. This project is part of https://tailor-network.eu - a Horizon EU project on Developing the scientific foundations for Trustworthy AI through the integration of learning, optimisation and reasoning. The Oxford project is led by Professor Michael Wooldridge (OU Principal Investigator), and Professors Ani Calinescu and Thomas Lukasiewicz (OU Co-Investigators). TAILOR aims to build the capacity to provide the scientific foundations for Trustworthy AI in Europe, by developing a network of research excellence centres that leverage and combine learning, optimisation and reasoning. The Research Associates will be based within the Department’s offices in central Oxford., and will work directly with Professors Mike Wooldridge, Ani Calinescu and Thomas Lukasiewicz. They will also collaborate with the TAILOR network members.

The Research Associates in these roles will develop novel theoretical models for cooperation between agents. They will use economic paradigms to study and advance the foundations, techniques, algorithms, and tools for collaborative decision making by social agents, that is agents that cooperate, interact, negotiate, learn, and thus act in societies. As AI agents act on behalf of people, it is essential to model and elicit their preferences, and to aggregate and mediate preferences of multiple stakeholders in a fair manner. ML-enabled techniques such as automated mechanism design will be used to tailor mechanisms to the agents’ preferences, within a multi-agent system setting. Finally, the project will explore truthful protocols for social choice and budget-balanced truthful actions.

The Research Associates will do original research in these topics (on their own, with other group members, and with external collaborators), contribute to writing papers and supervising PhD students, give conference talks, and participate in brainstorming meetings for new research ideas. They will also have opportunities to teach.

The ideal candidates will have a doctorate in Computer Science, Mathematics, or a closely related discipline (or are close to completion of a PhD). The primary selection criteria will be relevant research experience and publication track record.

Whilst the roles are Grade 7 positions, we would be willing to consider candidates with potential but less experience who are seeking a development opportunity, for which an initial appointment would be at Grade 6 (Grade 6: £31,502 - £37,386 p.a.) with a title of Research Assistant and with the responsibilities adjusted accordingly. This would be discussed with applicants at interview/appointment where appropriate.

All applicants must complete an application form and submit a CV and supporting statement.

The closing date for applications is 12 noon on Tuesday, 25^th April 2023. Interviews are expected to be held in late April or in early May.

We are a Stonewall Top 100 Employer, Living Wage and holding an Athena Swan Bronze Award, HR excellence in Research and Race Equality Charter Bronze Award.

Our staff and students come from all over the world and we proudly promote a friendly and inclusive culture. Diversity is positively encouraged, through diversity groups and champions, as well as a number of family-friendly policies, such as the right to apply for flexible working and support for staff returning from periods of extended absence, for example shared parental leave.

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