Two PhD Positions in Computational Social Choice for Digital Democracy

Do you enjoy working in an interdisciplinary research setting and do you want to be part of a thriving research community? The Computational Social Choice Group at the Institute for Logic, Language and Computation (ILLC) is looking for two PhD candidates as part of the ADDI project on Advancing Digital Democratic Innovation, an ERC Synergy Project funded by the European Union, with partners in Toulouse, Turku, and Amsterdam.Working at the UvAJoin UsAre you looking for a PhD position where you can use your mathematical skills to improve existing mechanisms for democratic decision making and invent new ones? Are you excited about doing this kind of research in an interdisciplinary environment, in a team of smart and supportive colleagues?Then you may want to join us. We are looking for two PhD candidates in the field of computational social choice to join the COMSOC Group at the Institute for Logic, Language and Computation (ILLC).These positions are part of the ADDI project on Advancing Digital Democratic Innovation, an ERC Synergy Project funded by the European Union, with partners in Toulouse, Turku, and Amsterdam.A good salary Your salary will be determined on the basis of your experience and seniority, in accordance with the Labour agreement. Your grading and therefore the amounts mentioned are based on full employment of 38 hours per week. 232 vacation hours We also offer parental leave, partner leave and social engagement leave. Through the Employment Conditions Menu Card, there are opportunities for even more vacation hours.Financial arrangements On top of your salary, you receive holiday allowance (8%) and a year-end bonus (8.3%). You build up a good pension with ABP. And in addition, we offer many other allowances and schemes.Career development and room for growth The UvA encourages you to continue to professionalise through training courses and open UvA lectures.Family matters Relocating to the Netherlands with your family? Find out about daycare, schooling, health insurance or employment options and support for your partner or spouse. Including the IDCN-network which provides support for your spouse through various training sessions, social activities, and networking events.All About This VacancyWhat you will doYou will conduct research in the area of computational social choice, with an eye towards possible applications in the domain of digital democracy. You will focus on questions of a fundamental and theoretical nature, but you will also interact with researchers focussing on empirical and technology aspects of digital democracy. You will receive hands-on supervision and support throughout.Specific tasks include:complete and defend a PhD thesis during the official appointment of four years;publish your research and present it at international workshops and conferences;collaborate with members of the ADDI Consortium in Amsterdam, Toulouse, and Turku;participate in and to contribute to the organisation of research activities at the ILLC and within the ADDI Consortium;contribute to the dissemination of research results to the general public.We also expect you to assist in teaching undergraduates and master students.While this is primarliy a research position, you will also contribute to the ILLC's educational mission, by working as a TA for courses in your area of expertise and by assisting with the supervision of student research projects.Your profileYou are eager to pursue a career in research. You enjoy thinking about complex problems of a mathematical nature. You are not afraid to engage with colleagues from other disciplinary backgrounds. You are looking for a research topic that is both intellectually stimulating and socially relevant.You should hold, or expect to obtain before the start of your appointment, a Master's degree in a relevant discipline, such as Computer Science, AI, Mathematics, Logic, or Economics.You also should possess:good writing and presentation skills;good social and organisational skills;full professional proficiency in spoken and written English (Dutch is not required).Prior exposure to relevant topics at the interface of Economics and Computer Science, particularly computational social choice and algorithmic game theory, is an advantage, but certainly not a requirement.What We Offer YouA temporary contract for 38 hours per week for the duration of 4 years (the initial contract will be for a period of 18 months and after satisfactory evaluation it will be extended for a total duration of 4 years). The preferred starting date is 1 September 2026. This should lead to a dissertation (PhD thesis). We will draft an educational plan that includes attendance of courses and (international) meetings.The gross monthly salary, based on 38 hours per week, ranges between € 3,059 to € 3,881 (scale P). This does not include 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% year-end allowance. The UFO profile PhD candidate is applicable. A favourable tax agreement, the '30% ruling', may apply to non-Dutch applicants. The Collective Labour Agreement of Universities of the Netherlands is applicable.Curious about our extensive secondary benefits package? You can read more about it here.Your place at the UvAWhere you will workThe Faculty of Science has a student body of around 8,000, as well as 1,800 members of staff working in education, research or support services. Researchers and students at the Faculty of Science are fascinated by every aspect of how the world works, be it elementary particles, the birth of the universe or the functioning of the brain.The Institute for Logic, Language and Computation is home to a thriving community of scholars, including philosophers, logicians, mathematicians, computer scientists, linguists, musicologists, and cognitive scientists, who share a fascination with the interdisciplinary study of information. At the ILLC we combine the problem solving skills from the sciences with the holistic and reflective view of the humanities to discover the principles that regulate information processing and find answers to some of the hardest challenges of our time.More About The UvAThe University of Amsterdam is ambitious, creative and committed. An inspiration to students since 1632, a vanguard player in international science and a partner in innovation.The University of Amsterdam is the largest university in the Netherlands, with the broadest range of courses on offer. An intellectual hub with 42,000 students, 6,000 staff and 3,000 PhD students. Connected by a culture of curiosity.Important to knowYour application & contactIf you feel the profile fits you, and you are interested in the job, we look forward to receiving your application. You can apply online via the Apply button. We accept applications until and including 16 February 2026.Applications should include the following information (all files besides your CV should be submitted in one single PDF file):a cover letter, including a description of your research interests and an explanation for why you are applying for this position (at most two pages);a detailed curriculum vitae (CV);a list of all Master-level modules you have taken, with an official transcript of grades;a link to a writing sample (you have made) available online, such as a Master's thesis, a term paper, a preprint, or a publication (in case of joint authorship, please clearly indicate your own contribution);the names, affiliations, and email addresses of two or (at most) three people we can contact for letters of recommendation for you.Please closely follow these instructions (so do not upload your writing sample or any letters of recommendation). Cover letters that look computer-generated are not helpful. Only complete applications received within the response period via the Apply button will be considered. A knowledge security check can be part of the selection procedure (for details: national knowledge security guidelines).Interviews will be held in March and April 2026.Do you have any questions or do you require additional information? Please contact: Dr. Ulle Endriss: u.endriss@uva.nlDiversity, Equity & InclusionAs an employer, the UvA maintains an equal opportunities policy. We value diversity and are fully committed to being a place where everyone feels at home. We nurture inquisitive minds and perseverance and allow room for persistent questioning. With us, curiosity and creativity are the prevailing culture.Studies show that women and members of underrepresented groups only apply for jobs if they meet 100% of the qualifications. Do you meet the educational requirements but not yet all of the requested experience? The UvA encourages you to apply anyway.