As the field of artificial intelligence (AI) progresses, agents are embedded with increasingly autonomous capabilities with the potential to increase efficiency, reduce costs, and support cognitive efforts in different fields. Automated negotiation is one of these fields where AI can contribute to better outcomes. AI can also enable new negotiation scenarios where human negotiation is too slow and expensive, e.g., the real-time negotiation of residential energy contracts in smart electrical grids. However, as suggested by literature on representation effects, people may show less regard for ethical behavior when negotiating through third parties. As negotiation agents act in a manner that might not represent one’s moral values (e.g., negotiation slightly decreases energy prices for the user but significantly increases prices for the whole community), users might not feel responsible for the agent’s action, leading to so-called responsibility gaps.

This PhD project aims to develop negotiation agents that can represent people’s moral values in the context of electrical energy systems to reach outcomes that are both efficient and value-aligned. For this, you are expected to: 1) Develop approaches to elicit human values and embed them into negotiation agents; 2) Propose and evaluate coordination mechanisms to value-aligned negotiation in a multi-agent setting. This research will contribute towards explainable and value-aligned AI systems that can operate under meaningful human control.

You will be working in the Interactive Intelligence group of the Intelligent Systems Department. Our group focuses on the interaction of users with intelligent systems, particularly on the development of smart interactive agents. Such agents possess capabilities including learning, reasoning, social skills, emotions, and norms and can interact with humans. You are expected to collaborate with colleagues of the TU Delft’s AiTech initiative on meaningful human control over autonomous systems.

We are looking for an excellent candidate with the following qualifications, knowledge, and skills:

• A master’s degree (completed, or to be completed shortly) in computer science, electrical engineering, or a related field, with an affinity for artificial intelligence.
• The candidate enjoys working with interdisciplinary research, and is interested in topics such as (AI) Ethics, psychology, and sociology.
• Strong programming skills, preferably in Python.
• Good English language and communication skills (written and oral) in order to closely cooperate with colleagues and students as well as write scientific communications.
• Team spirit and open personality for cooperation with colleagues and co-supervision of students.

Fixed-term contract: 4 Year.

TU Delft offers PhD-candidates a 4-year contract, with an official go/no go progress assessment after one year. Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, increasing from € 2395 per month in the first year to € 3061 in the fourth year. As a PhD candidate you will be enrolled in the TU Delft Graduate School. The TU Delft Graduate School provides an inspiring research environment with an excellent team of supervisors, academic staff and a mentor. The Doctoral Education Programme is aimed at developing your transferable, discipline-related and research skills.

The TU Delft offers a customisable compensation package, discounts on health insurance and sport memberships, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged. For international applicants we offer the Coming to Delft Service and Partner Career Advice to assist you with your relocation.

Delft University of Technology

Delft University of Technology is built on strong foundations. As creators of the world-famous Dutch waterworks and pioneers in biotech, TU Delft is a top international university combining science, engineering and design. It delivers world class results in education, research and innovation to address challenges in the areas of energy, climate, mobility, health and digital society. For generations, our engineers have proven to be entrepreneurial problem-solvers, both in business and in a social context. At TU Delft we embrace diversity and aim to be as inclusive as possible (see our Code of Conduct). Together, we imagine, invent and create solutions using technology to have a positive impact on a global scale.

Challenge. Change. Impact! 

Faculty Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science

The Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science (EEMCS) brings together three disciplines - electrical engineering, mathematics and computer science. Combined, they reinforce each other and are the driving force behind the technology we use in our daily lives. Technology such as the electricity grid, which our faculty is helping to make future-proof. We are also working on a world in which humans and computers reinforce each other. We are mapping out disease processes using single cell data, and using mathematics to simulate gigantic ash plumes after a volcanic eruption. There is plenty of room here for ground-breaking research. We educate innovative engineers and have excellent labs and facilities that underline our strong international position. In total, more than 1,100 employees and 4,000 students work and study in this innovative environment.

Click here to go to the website of the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science.