(second call for applications) 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) 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, 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 Agents, Multi-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/
