Job description
Governments and regulatory bodies around the world are discussing how to create laws that ensure artificial intelligence (AI) is used fairly and responsibly. One growing concern is that algorithms could learn to work together in ways that harm society, for example, by raising prices. In this project, you will provide a rigorous foundation for these discussions by examining if and how certain types of algorithms can learn such collusive behaviour. You will develop mathematical tools to measure how likely an algorithm is to engage in this kind of coordination by studying how and what it learns and then use these tools to analyze (using theory and simulations) how changes to three key areas can affect an algorithm’s tendency to collude: (1) its learning objective, (2) the representations of its environment, and (3) changes in the algorithmic metagame. By studying these factors, we will improve understanding regarding which design choices lead to harmful coordination and may need to be regulated in the future.
Your profile
- You are an enthusiastic and highly motivated researcher.
- You have, or you will shortly acquire, a Master's degree in Mathematics or Theoretical Computer Science (or a related field).
- You preferably have experience in either the mathematics of reinforcement learning or deep learning (or both).
- You have a creative mindset and excellent analytical and communication skills.
- You have a good team spirit and like to work in an interdisciplinary and internationally oriented environment.
- You are proficient in English.
Our offer
- A full-time position for four years, with a qualifier in the first year, and the flexibility to work (partially) from home.
- Your salary and associated conditions are in accordance with the collective labour agreement for Dutch universities (CAO-NU).
- You will receive a gross monthly salary ranging from € 3.059,- (first year) to € 3.881,- (fourth year).
- There are excellent benefits including a holiday allowance of 8% of the gross annual salary, an end-of-year bonus of 8.3%, and a solid pension scheme.
- A minimum of 232 leave hours in case of full-time employment based on a formal workweek of 38 hours. A full-time employment in practice means 40 hours a week, therefore resulting in 96 extra leave hours on an annual basis.
- Free access to sports facilities on campus.
- A family-friendly institution that offers parental leave (both paid and unpaid).
- You will have a training programme as part of the Twente Graduate School where you and your supervisors will determine a plan for a suitable education and supervision.
Information and application
Are you interested in this position? Please send your application via the 'Apply now' button below before June 15, 2026, and include:
- A Curriculum Vitae, including a list of all courses attended and grades obtained, and, if applicable, a list of publications and references.
- A cover letter (maximum 2 pages A4), emphasizing your specific interest, qualifications, motivations to apply for this position.
- An IELTS-test, Internet TOEFL test (TOEFL-iBT), or a Cambridge CAE-C (CPE). Applicants with a non-Dutch qualification and who have not had secondary and tertiary education in English can only be admitted with an IELTS-test showing a total band score of at least 6.5, internet. TOEFL test (TOEFL-iBT) showing a score of at least 90, or a Cambridge CAE-C (CPE).
For more information regarding this position, you are welcome to contact Janusz Meylahn at j.m.meylahn@utwente.nl
The first round of interviews will be held in the final week of June.
Screening is part of the selection process.
About the department
The position will be in the Applied Mathematics department. The Applied Mathematics department has an active research portfolio in stochastic operations research, algorithmic discrete mathematics, complex networks, statistics, systems theory, computational science, and artificial intelligence with applications in health care, energy systems, traffic, and imaging. Please visit the following links to find out more about the research groups: MOR) SACS)andMDS)
Our research group, Stochastic Operations Research (SOR), conducts mathematical education and research of internationally high standards in the areas of stochastic processes and mathematics of operations research to contribute to the development of mathematics in a multidisciplinary engineering environment and contribute to a better understanding and functioning of our increasingly complex society. More information about the SOR-group here).
About the organisation
The faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science (EEMCS) uses mathematics, electronics and computer technology to contribute to the development of Information and Communication Technology (ICT). With ICT present in almost every device and product we use nowadays, we embrace our role as contributors to a broad range of societal activities and as pioneers of tomorrow's digital society. As part of a tech university that aims to shape society, individuals and connections, our faculty works together intensively with industrial partners and researchers in the Netherlands and abroad, and conducts extensive research for external commissioning parties and funders. Our research has a high profile both in the Netherlands and internationally. It has been accommodated in three multidisciplinary UT research institutes: Mesa+ Institute, TechMed Centre and Digital Society Institute.
