Postdoc Position in Algorithmic Fairness in Dynamic Populations

Numerous decisions impacting society are, nowadays, taken by algorithms. Are you interested in developing theoretical models to understand how algorithmic decisions affect a population of adaptive agents? Or how to fine-tune algorithms to potentiate desirable social dynamics and promote equal opportunity in society? We are looking for an ambitious postdoc to tackle these questions!

Within the context of AI-ethics, we are seeking a highly motivated postdoc candidate to work at the Socially Intelligent Artificial Systems (SIAS) group of the Informatics Institute, in collaboration with ING. We are looking for a profile combining a strong computational/mathematical background with curiosity, passion for scientific research and eagerness to comprehend social dynamics in systems where statistical learning algorithms are used to classify humans in high-stakes domains.

We are interested in both advancing fundamental research and developing concrete applications. As examples, Artificial Intelligence has been applied to automatically detect fraud, support credit decisions and compute insurance risk metrics. In such contexts, anticipating potential harms and benefits of AI applications, while guaranteeing that their outcomes are accurate, fair and do not discriminate based on protected characteristics raises important scientific and implementation challenges. Machine learning algorithms can affect the behavior of agents within networked complex systems in ways often hard to foresee. In this domain, tools typically used in evolutionary biology, population dynamics and network science can be tailored to study individuals’ adaptation that strategically adapt over time.

What are you going to do?

This project will be conducted at the Informatics Institute of the University of Amsterdam (Socially Intelligent Artificial Systems group, SIAS) under the supervision of Fernando P. Santos.

Tasks and responsibilities:

• Conduct independent research on new methods and computational models to capture population dynamics of individuals adapting to classification algorithms;
• Investigate how different levels ways of transparency and noise, by algorithms and stakeholders, can affect individuals’ adaptation;
• Investigate how network properties affect individuals’ adaptation to algorithms;
• Model the impacts of strategic adaptation to algorithms in heterogeneity and fairness within a population;
• Work in a highly multidisciplinary and international environment;
• Collaborate with researchers within SIAS and participate in ongoing initiatives (e.g., AI4Fintech);
• Regularly present internally on your progress;
• Regularly present intermediate research at international conferences and workshops, publish them in proceedings and journals;
• Assist in relevant teaching and supervision activities;
• Assist in group management tasks.

What do you have to offer?

Your experience and profile:

• A PhD degree in Artificial Intelligence, Computer Science, Evolutionary Biology, (Applied) Mathematics/Physics, or related fields with a with a strong emphasis on multi-agent systems, agent-based modelling, or population dynamics;
• Committed researcher, demonstrated by publications in international refereed academic journals or conferences;
• A strong background in computational/mathematical modeling; experience with evolutionary game theory and complex networks; experience with alternative multi-agent learning models (e.g., reinforcement learning or counterfactual learning) is a bonus;
• Solid mathematics foundations, especially statistics, calculus, and linear algebra;
• Excellent programming skills preferably in Python;
• You are highly motivated, independent, and creative;
• Strong communication, presentation and writing skills and excellent command of English;
• Socially engaged, highly motivated to understand the impacts of algorithms in social dynamics.

Our offer

We offer a temporary employment contract for 38 hours per week for a period of 12 months. If we assess your performance positive, your contract will be extended with 14 months. The preferred starting date is as soon as possible but can be discussed (maximum April 1, 2024).

The gross monthly salary, based on 38 hours per week and dependent on relevant experience, ranges between € 3,226 to € 5,090 (scale 10). UvA additionally offers an extensive package of secondary benefits, including 8% holiday allowance and a year-end bonus of 8.3%. The UFO profile Researcher 4 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.

Besides the salary and a vibrant and challenging environment at Science Park, we offer you multiple fringe benefits:

• 232 holiday hours per year (based on fulltime) and extra holidays between Christmas and 1 January;
• Multiple courses to follow from our Teaching and Learning Centre;
• Multiple courses on topics such as leadership for academic staff;
• Multiple courses on topics such as time management, handling stress and an online learning platform with 100+ different courses;
• 7 weeks birth leave (partner leave) with 100% salary;
• Partly paid parental leave;
• The possibility to set up a workplace at home;
• A pension at ABP for which UvA pays two third part of the contribution;
• The possibility to follow courses to learn Dutch;
• Help with housing for a studio or small apartment when you’re moving from.

Are you curious to read more about our extensive package of secondary employment benefits, take a look here.

About us

The University of Amsterdam (UvA) is the Netherlands' largest university, offering the widest range of academic programmes. At the UvA, 42,000 students, 6,000 staff members and 3,000 PhD candidates study and work in a diverse range of fields, connected by a culture of curiosity.

The Faculty of Science (FNWI) 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 mission of the Informatics Institute (IvI) is to perform curiosity-driven and use-inspired fundamental research in Computer Science. The main research themes are Artificial Intelligence, Computational Science and Systems and Network Engineering. Our research involves complex information systems at large, with a focus on collaborative, data driven, computational and intelligent systems, all with a strong interactive component.

The Socially Intelligent Artificial Systems (SIAS) group is a research group that falls under the People, Society and Technology Theme of the Informatics Institute. How can AI systems boost common sense and collective wisdom? How can AI systems advance society in a fair and inclusive manner? How can AI systems be aligned with public values, goals, and behaviors, in a manner that respects social, cultural, economic, and political diversity between people and communities? The SIAS group addresses these questions through fundamental and applied research, focusing on socio-technical solutions for / with / by  people & communities from all walks of life. The group has three key research lines: Pro-social AI, Responsible AI and Explainable AI. This Postdoc position will be embedded in the Pro-social AI research line.

Want to know more about our organisation? Read more about working at the University of Amsterdam.

Any questions?

Do you have any questions, or do you require additional information? Please contact:

• Fernando P. Santos, Assistant Professor: f.p.santos@uva.nl