Logic List Mailing Archive

PhD student position in AI & Forensic Science, Utrecht (The Netherlands), Deadline: 17 Mar 2012

PhD position Artificial Intelligence and Forensic Science (Utrecht 
University; 1,0 fte)

Job description

This PhD position is 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) andUtrecht 
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, based on logical models of argumentation developed in 
Artificial Intelligence.

The project is the first that addresses the communicative gap between 
forensic statisticians, crime investigators and lawyers, by combining 
Bayesian Networks with Artificial Intelligence 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 Prof.dr. Henry Prakken.

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

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 March 17th, although applications received 
after the deadline may be considered.

Starting date: as soon as possible.

Organisation

The PhD student will be based at Utrecht University (Faculty of Science, 
Department of Information and Computing Sciences, Intelligent Systems 
group). The group has a world-class reputation in the fields of 
Intelligent AgentsMulti-Agent systems, Argumentation, AI & law, and 
Bayesian Networks. Daily supervision will be performed by Dr. B. Verheij 
(principal investigator), Prof.dr.mr. H. Prakken and Dr. S. Renooij.

Additional information

Prof. Dr. Henry Prakken

H.Prakken@uu.nl

Department of Information and Computing Sciences, Faculty of Science, 
Utrecht University

More information about the project: www.ai.rug.nl/~verheij/nwofs

More information about employer Utrecht University on AcademicTransfer.

Direct link to this job opening: 
http://www.academictransfer.com/employer/UU/vacancy/13124/lang/en/