We offer two fully-funded PhD positions as part of the EU H2020-FETOPEN project Epistemic AI.  The project goal is to create a new paradigm for next-generation AI providing worst-case guarantees on its predictions thanks to a proper modelling of real-world uncertainties.

Although artificial intelligence (AI) has improved remarkably over the last years, its inability to deal with fundamental uncertainty severely limits its application.  The Epistemic AI project re-imagines AI with a proper treatment of the uncertainty stemming from our forcibly partial knowledge of the world.  As currently practiced, AI cannot confidently make predictions robust enough to stand the test of data generated by processes different (even by tiny details, as shown by ‘adversarial’  results able to fool deep neural networks) from those studied at training time.  While recognising this issue under different names (e.g. ‘over-fitting’), traditional Machine Learning struggles to address it in non-incremental ways.  As a result, AI systems suffer from brittle behaviour, and find difficult to operate in new situations, e.g. adapting to driving in heavy rain or to other road users’ different styles of driving, e.g. deriving from cultural traits.  The project reimagines AI through a proper treatment of the uncertainty stemming from our forcibly partial knowledge of the world.  Epistemic AI’s paradoxical principle is that AI should first and foremost learn from the data it cannot see.

The first PhD position builds on a mathematical framework leveraging techniques from theories of second-order uncertainty.  The PhD candidate will develop novel approaches for combinatorial optimisation under this epistemic uncertainty.  Main supervisor is Dr. N. Yorke-Smith.

The second PhD position focuses on developing a theory of sequential decision making in an epistemic setting.  The PhD candidate will develop novel reinforcement learning algorithms that aim for robust and safe behaviour in partially-known environments.  Main supervisor is Dr. M.T.J. Spaan.

Both positions are offered in the Algorithmics group, department of Software Technology, faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science.  The successful candidates will contribute to facilitating the translation of the new technologies from the project into applications, and to the dissemination of the project’s results.  The candidates will work with TU Delft's faculty of Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineering (3mE), and also with Oxford Brooks University 

(UK) and KU Leuven (Belgium).  An extended research visit to the consortium partners is anticipated.

Candidates with any relevant background will be considered, such as artificial intelligence, operations research, mathematics, computer science, statistics or machine learning.  Experience in programming in Python is an advantage.  Candidate will be ambitious, self-motivated and team-orientated.  Professional fluency in English is required

Fixed-term contract: 4 jaar.

TU Delft offers PhD-candidates a 4-year contract, with an official go/no go progress assessment after one year. Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, increasing from € 2395 per month in the first year to € 3061 in the fourth year. As a PhD candidate you will be enrolled in the TU Delft Graduate School. The TU Delft Graduate School provides an inspiring research environment with an excellent team of supervisors, academic staff and a mentor. The Doctoral Education Programme is aimed at developing your transferable, discipline-related and research skills.

The TU Delft offers a customisable compensation package, discounts on health insurance and sport memberships, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged. For international applicants we offer the Coming to Delft Service and Partner Career Advice to assist you with your relocation.

Delft University of Technology

Delft University of Technology is built on strong foundations. As creators of the world-famous Dutch waterworks and pioneers in biotech, TU Delft is a top international university combining science, engineering and design. It delivers world class results in education, research and innovation to address challenges in the areas of energy, climate, mobility, health and digital society. For generations, our engineers have proven to be entrepreneurial problem-solvers, both in business and in a social context. At TU Delft we embrace diversity and aim to be as inclusive as possible (see our Code of Conduct). Together, we imagine, invent and create solutions using technology to have a positive impact on a global scale.

Challenge. Change. Impact! 

Faculty Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science

The Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science (EEMCS) brings together three disciplines - electrical engineering, mathematics and computer science. Combined, they reinforce each other and are the driving force behind the technology we use in our daily lives. Technology such as the electricity grid, which our faculty is helping to make future-proof. We are also working on a world in which humans and computers reinforce each other. We are mapping out disease processes using single cell data, and using mathematics to simulate gigantic ash plumes after a volcanic eruption. There is plenty of room here for ground-breaking research. We educate innovative engineers and have excellent labs and facilities that underline our strong international position. In total, more than 1,100 employees and 4,000 students work and study in this innovative environment.

Click here to go to the website of the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science.