PhD scholarship in Logic and AI - DTU Compute

The Technical University of Denmark (DTU) is offering a PhD scholarship in logic and AI within the research project Attention in Epistemic Planning. The PhD project involves developing logical theories, algorithms, and robotic implementations of attention-based epistemic planning.
DTU is offering a PhD scholarship in logic and AI within the research project Attention in Epistemic Planning. The project members are Gaia Belardinelli (Stanford University), Thomas Bolander (PI, DTU), Hans van Ditmarsch (IRIT Toulouse), Hermine Grosinger (Örebro University), Jens Ulrik Hansen (Roskilde University), Nir Lipovetzky (University of Melbourne), Rineke Verbrugge (University of Groningen) and Sebastian Watzl (University of Oslo). Your principal supervisor will by Thomas Bolander.

Short project description: The project takes departure in epistemic planning based on dynamic epistemic logic (DEL), a line of research within symbolic AI initiated by the PI in 2011. It allows agents, e.g. robots, to reason about other agents, e.g. humans, as part of their planning process. The crucial novelty of the proposed project is to develop and integrate logical models of attention with the aim of 1) achieving better computational complexity and practical efficiency; 2) allow robots to reason about the limited attention of humans. The project will take inspiration from theories of human attention from philosophy and cognitive science and build models of dynamic epistemic logic that represent crucial aspects of attention, including its boundedness, its selectiveness, and the distinction between top-down and bottom-up attention. The main formalisms and algorithms developed will be based on dynamic epistemic logic that will both be investigated theoretically and implemented in a robotic setup.

Responsibilities and qualifications
Your job will be to:

• assist in developing formal logical models of attention, using mainly dynamic epistemic logic (DEL);
• assist in developing theoretical frameworks, algorithms and implementations of attention-based epistemic planning, and investigate the (theoretical and practical) efficiency of the developed algorithms;
• be main responsible for implementing attention-based epistemic planning in multi-agent simulations and humanoid robots, and evaluate the dynamics and quality of agent interactions (including human-robot interaction).

Successfully completing these tasks requires skills in many areas of computer science (broadly conceived), including programming, algorithms, discrete mathematics, automated planning (symbolic AI), logic, machine learning and robotics. The ideal candidate has expertise in all of these. As the project has an interdisciplinary flavour – involving project members with expertise in philosophy, cognitive science, computer science, AI (symbolic AI and machine learning), logic, and robotics – having an interdisciplinary outlook will be an advantage.

You must have a two-year master's degree (120 ECTS points) or a similar degree with an academic level equivalent to a two-year master's degree.

Approval and Enrolment
The scholarship for the PhD degree is subject to academic approval, and the candidate will be enrolled in one of the general degree programmes at DTU. For information about our enrolment requirements and the general planning of the PhD study programme, please see DTU's rules for the PhD education.

We offer
DTU is a leading technical university globally recognized for the excellence of its research, education, innovation and scientific advice. We offer a rewarding and challenging job in an international environment. We strive for academic excellence in an environment characterized by collegial respect and academic freedom tempered by responsibility.

Salary and appointment terms
The appointment will be based on the collective agreement with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. The allowance will be agreed upon with the relevant union.

The period of employment is 3 years. The intended starting date is 1 April 2025 or as soon as possible hereafter (according to mutual agreement).

You can read more about career paths at DTU here.

Further information
Further information may be obtained from Professor Thomas Bolander, DTU Compute, www2.compute.dtu.dk/~tobo/, e-mail: [email protected].

You can read more about DTU Compute at www.compute.dtu.dk.

If you are applying from abroad, you may find useful information on working in Denmark and at DTU at DTU – Moving to Denmark. Furthermore, you have the option of joining our monthly free seminar “PhD relocation to Denmark and startup “Zoom” seminar” for all questions regarding the practical matters of moving to Denmark and working as a PhD at DTU.

Application procedure
Your complete online application must be submitted no later than 1 February 2025 (23:59 Danish time). Applications must be submitted as one PDF file containing all materials to be given consideration. To apply, please open the link "Apply now", fill out the online application form, and attach all your materials in English in one PDF file. The file must include:

• A letter motivating the application (cover letter)
• Curriculum vitae
• Grade transcripts and BSc/MSc diploma (in English) including official description of grading scale
• Your master thesis (unless it has not been handed in yet)
• If you have any scientific publications, please include those as well

You may apply prior to obtaining your master's degree but cannot begin before having received it.

Applications received after the deadline will not be considered. Interviews will be held continuously, as soon as possible after you have applied.

All interested candidates irrespective of age, gender, disability, race, religion or ethnic background are encouraged to apply. As DTU works with research in critical technology, which is subject to special rules for security and export control, open-source background checks may be conducted on qualified candidates for the position.

DTU Compute
DTU Compute is a unique and internationally recognized academic department with 385 employees and 11 research sections spanning the science disciplines mathematics, statistics, computer science, and engineering. We conduct research, teaching and innovation of high international standard – producing new knowledge and technology-based solutions to societal challenges. We have a long-term involvement in applied and interdisciplinary research, big data and data science, artificial intelligence (AI), internet of things (IoT), smart and secure societies, smart manufacturing, and life science. At DTU Compute we believe in a diverse workplace with a flexible work-life balance.

Technology for people
DTU develops technology for people. With our international elite research and study programmes, we are helping to create a better world and to solve the global challenges formulated in the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Hans Christian Ørsted founded DTU in 1829 with a clear mission to develop and create value using science and engineering to benefit society. That mission lives on today. DTU has 13,500 students and 6,000 employees. We work in an international atmosphere and have an inclusive, evolving, and informal working environment. DTU has campuses in all parts of Denmark and in Greenland, and we collaborate with the best universities around the world.

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