PhD Position Symbolic AI and Reasoning Under Uncertainty

Challenge: Confident and robust decision-making under uncertainty

Change: Leverage combinatorial and algorithmic methods for sensitivity analysis

Impact: Enable confident and robust decision-making 

Modern decision-making increasingly relies on algorithms that provide recommendations based on models of the real-world problem. These models take many parameters as input. Wouldn't it be great if we knew *which input parameters* in such model *really matter* for its outcomes?

Knowing which parameters are really important helps decision-makers to allocate resources towards obtaining more accurate estimates of those parameters, to draft contingency plans, and to provide guarantees on the robustness of their decisions w.r.t. specific input parameters.

Classical approaches to this sensitivity analysis are based on simulations. These are computationally expensive an might miss important variables.

In this project we will explore logic-based methods that identify critical/important parameters based on the *structure* of the problem, instead. This allows us to provide *formal guarantees* on the correctness of our results, enabling confident decision-making by end-users. We will explore how the structure of logic problems can inform statistical testing methods. Leveraging structural knowledge can help limit the number of required tests to identify, for example, faulty components in a power network, leading to stronger guarantees with less data.

The supervisory team for this project consists of dr. ir. Sicco Verwer (promotor), dr. Fabian Mies and dr. Anna Latour (co-promotores).

Job description

In your research you will build on and expand your knowledge of modelling- and solving paradigms like Boolean Satisfiability, Constraint Programming, Mixed-Integer (Linear) Programming. Additionally you will work on methods for reasoning about discrete probability distributions, sampling from complex spaces, and statistical analysis methods.

While doing so, you will collaborate with other researchers and software engineers to build usable tools for both the scientific community and societal stakeholders. You will communicate your research findings by publishing in and presenting at top-tier academic conferences and journals. This provides excellent opportunities for building an international network of experienced researchers and experts.

Work environment

You will work in the Algorithmics section at the Software Technology (ST) department and collaborate with the Statistic section of the Delft Institute of Applied Mathematics (DIAM). In the Algorithmics section you will become part of a dynamic and diverse environment of PhD and postdoc researchers excited about making theoretical and algorithmic contributions in intelligent decision making. We aim to deal with the scalability challenge inherent in many such applications, to understand how to learn models that are useful for upstream planning, scheduling, and verification tasks, and how to deal with their uncertainty. Further, we aim to understand how to effectively incorporate behaviour and preferences of stakeholders into the algorithmic decision-making process. 

TU Delft hosts a vibrant interdisciplinary community, facilitated through cross-faculty institutes and seminar series addressing a range of societal problems, including climate change, the energy transition, and artificial intelligence. As a PhD candidate, you will collaborate with experienced researchers, attend conferences, and experience an international research environment. The position will focus on research, with optional contributions to education and supervision of bachelor and master students. 

Why join us?

• Innovative research: Work on cutting-edge modelling and solving techniques that address decision-making challenges.
• Collaborative environment: Engage with multiple work packages and different experts in the field.
• Impactful work: Apply your results to pressing challenges in engineering and policy making.

If you are a computer science enthusiast with an interest in optimisation and decision-making, we invite you to apply and be part of this transformative

Job requirements

Required (by the Graduate School of TU Delft):

• Master’s degree in Computer Science, Operations Research, or a related field.
• Proficiency in the English language (https://www.tudelft.nl/onderwijs/opleidingen/phd/admission)

Optional requirements:

• Demonstrable knowledge of reasoning paradigms like Boolean Satisfiability, Constraint Programming or Mixed Integer (Linear) Programming.
• Programming skills in languages such as Java, Python or C++.
• Solid understanding of statistics and probability theory, in particular hypothesis testing.
• Excellent critical and analytical thinking skills.
• A proven record and interest in further developing your research skills, such as a critical attitude, self-organisation and academic writing.
• A strong affinity with and enthusiasm for state-of-the-art, algorithmic and optimisation techniques, and in applying these to support decision-making.
• An affinity with teaching and guiding students.
• The ability to work in a team and take initiative.

TU Delft (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 as one of our core values and we actively engage to be a university where you feel at home and can flourish. We value different perspectives and qualities. We believe this makes our work more innovative, the TU Delft community more vibrant and the world more just. Together, we imagine, invent and create solutions using technology to have a positive impact on a global scale. That is why we invite you to apply. Your application will receive fair consideration.

Challenge. Change. Impact!

Faculty Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science 

The Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science (EEMCS) brings together three scientific disciplines. Combined, they reinforce each other and are the driving force behind the technology we all use in our daily lives. Technology such as the electricity grid, which our faculty is helping to make completely sustainable and future-proof. At the same time, we are developing the chips and sensors of the future, whilst also setting the foundations for the software technologies to run on this new generation of equipment – which of course includes AI. Meanwhile we are pushing the limits of applied mathematics, for example mapping out disease processes using single cell data, and using mathematics to simulate gigantic ash plumes after a volcanic eruption. In other words: there is plenty of room at the faculty for ground-breaking research. We educate innovative engineers and have excellent labs and facilities that underline our strong international position. In total, more than 1000 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.

Conditions of employment 
Doctoral candidates will be offered a 4-year period of employment in principle, but in the form of 2 employment contracts. An initial 1,5 year contract with an official go/no go progress assessment within 15 months. Followed by an additional contract for the remaining 2,5 years assuming everything goes well and performance requirements are met. 

Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, increasing from € 2901 per month in the first year to € 3707 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 a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged.  

Will you need to relocate to the Netherlands for this job? TU Delft is committed to make your move as smooth as possible! The HR unit, Coming to Delft Service, offers information on their website to help you prepare your relocation. In addition, Coming to Delft Service organises events to help you settle in the Netherlands, and expand your (social) network in Delft. A Dual Career Programme is available, to support your accompanying partner with their job search in the Netherlands.  

Additional information

Diveristy

We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive research environment and encourage applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of their background or experience. We believe that diversity contributes to a more innovative and creative research community. If you do not meet some of the optional requirements listed, we encourage you to still apply and explain how your unique experience and skills can contribute to our research.

If you would like more information about this vacancy or the selection procedure, please contact Dr. Anna Latour, via a.i.d.latour@tudelft.nl or .

Application procedure
Are you interested in this vacancy? Please apply no later than 31 Aug 2025 via the application button and upload the following documents:

• CV
• Motivational letter

You can address your application to Dr. Anna Latour.

In addition to the required documents (your tabular CV and cover letter), we ask you to do the following:

1. Submit a recent example of your own academic writing (e.g., a draft of your MSc thesis).
2. Select select 1-3 publications by dr. Anna Latour. For each publication, please write a short paragraph addressing: (1) What you found most interesting or surprising about the research and why, and (2) What follow-up research you would propose based on your reading and why. Please submit these paragraphs along with our application.

Apply via the application button and upload your tabular CV, cover letter, sample of recent academic writing, and paragraph(s) about dr. Latour's publication(s).

Doing a PhD at TU Delft requires English proficiency at a certain level to ensure that the candidate is able to communicate and interact well, participate in English-taught Doctoral Education courses, and write scientific articles and a final thesis. For more details please check the Graduate Schools Admission Requirements. 

Please note:

• You can apply online. We will not process applications sent by email and/or post. 
• A pre-employment screening can be part of the selection procedure.
• For the final candidates, a knowledge security check will be part of the application procedure. For more information on this check, please consult Chapter 8 of the National Knowledge Security Guidelines. We carry out this check on the basis of legitimate interest.
• Please do not contact us for unsolicited services.