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PhD student position on Forensic Bayesian networks, Groningen & Utrecht (The Netherlands), Deadline: 15 Jan 2012

PhD positions Forensic Science (2,0 fte)

Job description

These two PhD positions are part of the project "Designing and 
Understanding Forensic Bayesian Networks with Arguments and Scenarios" 
that is funded by the Netherlands Institute for Scientific Research in the 
Forensic Science program (www.nwo.nl/forensicscience). The project is a 
cooperation of the University of Groningen (Department of Artificial 
Intelligence) and Utrecht University (Department of Information and 
Computing Sciences) supported by partners from forensic legal practice.

In order to prevent miscarriages of justice such as the infamous Lucia de 
Berk case, the communication between forensic statisticians, crime 
investigators and lawyers about statistical evidence should be improved. 
It is well-known that lawyers and other non-experts in statistics often 
make serious mistakes when confronted with statistical evidence, while 
there is ample evidence that lawyers tend to think in terms of arguments 
and scenarios. Therefore the project aims to develop methods for 
supporting argumentation- and narrative-based communication about 
statistical evidence. Both the design and the understanding of models of 
evidence will be investigated.

This study will be carried out in two subprojects, addressing, 
respectively, argumentation and narrative techniques. Both subprojects 
take the statistical formalism of Bayesian Networks as point of departure. 
In the subproject performed at Utrecht University, argumentation 
techniques for the design and understanding of models of evidence will be 
developed. In the subproject performed at the University of Groningen, the 
design and understanding of models of evidence will be investigated using 
narrative techniques.

The project is the first that addresses the communicative gap between 
forensic statisticians, crime investigators and lawyers, by combining 
Bayesian Networks with models of scenario construction and argumentation.

On request, we can send you the full plan for the project. In that case, 
and for other questions, please contact Dr B. Verheij.

Requirements

A successful candidate has a Master's degree in Artificial Intelligence, 
Computer Science, Mathematics, Philosophy, or a related field, and has an 
interest in formal research in argumentation, narrative techniques and 
Bayesian Networks, and their application in forensic contexts.

Conditions of employment

The University of Groningen and Utrecht University offers a salary of  
2,042 gross per month in the first year up to a maximum of  2,612 gross 
per month in the final year. The appointment is for a period of four 
years, which should be finished with a PhD examination. The full time 
appointment is temporary for 1.5 years with the perspective of 
prolongation for another 2.5 years. After the first year, there will be an 
evaluation of the feasibility of successful completion of the PhD thesis 
within the next three years. You and your supervisors will make up a plan 
for additional education and supervising that is specific to your needs.

How to apply

Send a cover letter (with professional goals and a statement of interest), 
a curriculum vitae and two letters of recommendation (PDF format) to the 
job application portal before January 15th, 2011 although applications 
received after the deadline may be considered. If you have a preference 
for one of the two subprojects, this can be indicated in your application.

Starting date: as soon as possible.

Organisation

Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences The two subprojects will each 
be performed by one PhD student in close collaboration. One PhD student 
will be based at the University of Groningen (Faculty of Mathematics and 
Natural Sciences, Department of Artificial Intelligence, Multi-Agent 
Systems group), the other at the Utrecht University (Faculty of Science, 
Department of Information and Computing Sciences, Intelligent Systems 
group). Both groups have a world-class reputation, in particular in the 
fields of AI and law and of Bayesian Networks. Daily supervision will be 
performed by Dr B. Verheij, Prof. H. Prakken and Dr S. Renooij. The PhD 
student based in Groningen will participate in the Graduate School of 
Science of the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences.

Additional information

Dr B. Verheij
b.verheij@ai.rug.nl

More information about the project

http://www.ai.rug.nl/~verheij/nwofs

More information about employer University of Groningen on AcademicTransfer.

Direct link to this job opening: http://www.academictransfer.com/12220/