[agents] Two funded PhD positions in Multi-Agent Systems in New Zealand

[Stephen Cranefield]

Two funded PhD positions in Multi-Agent Systems in New Zealand

Two PhD scholarships are available for a research project titled "a computational theory of collective action" at the University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand. Successful applicants will develop agent representation and reasoning mechanisms based on social expectations to facilitate the achievement of collective action in multi-agent systems, and evaluate these in simulation studies. The scholarships are available from 1 March 2018 (a later start is possible), and cover fees and a tax-free stipend of NZ$27500 per annum for three years.

Candidates should have an undergraduate Honours degree or Master's degree in computer science or related discipline, with excellent grades, and have prior research experience, as evidenced by the inclusion of a significant research project or thesis in their previous study, or quality publication(s). Strong programming skills are essential, and experience with artificial intelligence, multi-agent systems, formal logic, game theory and social science applications of computing are desirable.

The students will be supervised by Prof. Stephen Cranefield (University of Otago) and Prof. Jeremy Pitt (Imperial College London).

The award of a scholarship is conditional on gaining admission to PhD study in the Department of Information Science at the University of Otago.

The University of Otago is New Zealand's oldest university, and has a higher proportion of PhD students than any other NZ university. It is ranked 151 in the QS World University Rankings 2018 and has the highest QS Stars rating of 5+ for overall university quality.

For more information about PhD study at the University of Otago, see http://www.otago.ac.nz/graduate-research/study/phddoctoral/. Further information for international candidates is available at http://www.otago.ac.nz/international.

Please contact Stephen Cranefield, stephen.cranefield at otago.ac.nz, for inquiries and applications.

Applicants will be considered on an ongoing basis until the two positions are filled.