PhD in Computational Social Choice

Deadline 30 May ’25Published on 14 Apr ’25Vacancy ID 2025/147

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37 days remaining

Academic fields

Economics

Job types

PhD scholarship

Education level

University graduate

Weekly hours

40 hours per week

Salary indication

€2901—€3707 per month

Location

De Zaale, 5612AZ, Eindhoven

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Job description

Are you excited about theoretical research with societal impact? The Algorithms cluster at TU Eindhoven is looking for a PhD student in Computational Social Choice, advised by Ulrike Schmidt-Kraepelin. Candidates should have a strong background in discrete mathematics and algorithms, ideally with some familiarity with game theory or social choice theory.

Information
Computational social choice studies how to aggregate individual preferences into fair and efficient collective decisions — for example, in elections, resource allocation, or public budgeting. The field lies at the intersection of computer science, mathematics, and economics, and draws on tools from various areas such as game theory, algorithm design, and discrete optimization.

The PhD project will focus on axiomatic and algorithmic questions in social choice theory, for example in the context of multiwinner elections, the allocation of a public budget, apportionment, or fair allocation. Ideally, the selected candidate will contribute to a new research line exploring randomization in social choice.

The position is part of the Algorithms cluster at TU/e, a vibrant research environment with many opportunities for collaboration — for example, with researchers in computational geometry and parameterized complexity.

Requirements

A master’s degree (or an equivalent degree) in mathematics, computer science, or a related field.
A strong background in discrete mathematics and algorithms, and most importantly, a genuine interest in developing and writing mathematical proofs.
Ideally familiarity with discrete optimization, randomized algorithms, game theory, or social choice.
Motivation to develop your teaching skills.
Fluency in spoken and written English (C1 level).

Conditions of employment

Fixed-term contract: 4 years.

A meaningful job in a dynamic and ambitious university, in an interdisciplinary setting and within an international network. You will work on a beautiful, green campus within walking distance of the central train station. In addition, we offer you:
Full-time employment for four years, with an intermediate assessment after nine months. You will spend a minimum of 10% of your four-year employment on teaching tasks, with a maximum of 15% per year of your employment. (Subject to financial approval, a fifth year may be added in exchange for additional teaching duties.)
Salary and benefits (such as a pension scheme, paid pregnancy and maternity leave, partially paid parental leave) in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, scale P (min. € 2,901 max. € 3,707).
A year-end bonus of 8.3% and annual vacation pay of 8%.
High-quality training programs and other support to grow into a self-aware, autonomous scientific researcher. At TU/e we challenge you to take charge of your own learning process.
An excellent technical infrastructure, on-campus children's day care and sports facilities.
An allowance for commuting, working from home and internet costs.
A Staff Immigration Team and a tax compensation scheme (the 30% facility) for international candidates.

Additional information

Do you recognize yourself in this profile and would you like to know more? Please contact the hiring manager Ulrike Schmidt-Kraepelin, assistant professor, u.schmidtkraepelin@tue.nl.

Visit our website for more information about the application process or the conditions of employment. You can also contact HRServices.MCS@tue.nl.

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