Logic List Mailing Archive

PhD student position in computer science / economics, Toulouse (France)

PhD scholarship in computer science/economy at IRIT and GREMAQ
TOULOUSE

We invite applications for an interdisciplinary 3 years PhD position in 
computer science and economics. The projects title is:

"Epistemic states, Trust and responsibility of economical agents: from 
theoretical aspects to experimental studies"


Projet description:

Recently computer scientists' interest in more and more complex systems has
 
lead to an increased use of multi-agent approaches. Multi-agent analysis al
lows 
the investigation of the interaction of autonomous agents able to make 
decisions and to execute the necessary actions. The characterization of the
se 
agents is done with help of a number of theoretical models, among which mod
al 
(in particular epistemic) logics. This implies that the systems and their
 
agents are described in terms of their knowledge, beliefs, goals and 
intentions. These basic concepts allows the modeling of sophisticated state
s 
such as group belief, institutional acceptance, trust and emotion.

The concept of trust has been recently studied at the same time in the doma
in 
of multi-agent systems as concerning interactions of economic agents. The
 
interaction of economic agents (whether individuals or institutions) has be
en 
traditionally studied concerning monetary profits for the involved actors.
 
However, today it is widely believed that decisions in economic interaction
s 
are influenced by beliefs, trust and emotions and that this impact should b
e 
considered in models of economic decisions, nad recent models tend to inclu
de 
mental states, beliefs and emotions.

The objective of this research project is to study situations requiring 
responsibility and trust with experimental economic paradigms. We will eval
uate 
how and when responsibility will lead to trust when interactions are repeat
ed. 
The results will then be theoretically extended from an individual to an 
institutional level, and the resulting states will be formally characterize
d by 
using epistemological concepts of trust and responsibility.

The ideal candidate for this position should have training in either comput
er 
science or economics, with knowledge in at least one of the areas of formal
 
logic, game theory, simulations.

The position will be co-supervised by Andreas Herzig (IRIT, Universit Pa
ul 
Sabatier, Toulouse) and Astrid Hopfensitz (GREMAQ, Universit des Science
s 
Sociales, Toulouse). Both institutions are world renowned research institut
ions 
in their discipline and the candidate will have the opportunity to particip
ate 
and interact with researchers from both fields. Monthly salary will be 
according to French standards (gross salary 1650 Euros, i.e. 1360 Euros of
 
taxable income (with approximately 10% income tax to be subtracted)). Resea
rch 
language in Toulouse is English however some basic knowledge of French is a
n 
advantage.

For futher questions please contact:
Andreas Herzig, http://www.irit.fr/~Andreas.Herzig
or
Astrid Hopfensitz, http://hopfensitz.googlepages.com/