Two PhD Positions in Computational Social Choice for Digital Democracy

Do you enjoy working in an interdisciplinary research setting and do you want to be part of a thriving research community The Computational Social Choice Group at the Institute for Logic Language and Computation (ILLC) is looking for two PhD candidates as part of the ADDI projecton Advancing Digital Democratic Innovation an ERC Synergy Project funded by the European Union with partners in Toulouse Turku and Amsterdam.

Join Us!

Are you looking for a PhD position where you can use your mathematical skills to improve existing mechanisms for democratic decision making and invent new ones Are you excited about doing this kind of research in an interdisciplinary environment in a team of smart and supportive colleagues

Then you may want to join us. We are looking for two PhD candidates in the field of computational social choice to join the COMSOC Group at the Institute for Logic Language and Computation (ILLC).

These positions are part of the ADDI projecton Advancing Digital Democratic Innovation an ERC Synergy Project funded by the European Union with partners in Toulouse Turku and Amsterdam.

What you will do

You will conduct research in the area of computational social choice with an eye towards possible applications in the domain of digital democracy. You will focus on questions of a fundamental and theoretical nature but you will also interact with researchers focussing on empirical and technology aspects of digital democracy. You will receive hands-on supervision and support throughout.

Specific tasks include:

• complete and defend a PhD thesis during the official appointment of four years;

• publish your research and present it at international workshops and conferences;

• collaborate with members of the ADDI Consortium in Amsterdam Toulouse and Turku;

• participate in and to contribute to the organisation of research activities at the ILLC and within the ADDI Consortium;

• contribute to the dissemination of research results to the general public.

We also expect you to assist in teaching undergraduates and master students.

While this is primarliy a research position you will also contribute to the ILLCs educational mission by working as a TA for courses in your area of expertise and by assisting with the supervision of student research projects.

Your profile

You are eager to pursue a career in research. You enjoy thinking about complex problems of a mathematical nature. You are not afraid to engage with colleagues from other disciplinary backgrounds. You are looking for a research topic that is both intellectually stimulating and socially relevant.

You should hold or expect to obtain before the start of your appointment a Masters degree in a relevant discipline such as Computer Science AI Mathematics Logic or Economics.

You also should possess:

• good writing and presentation skills;

• good social and organisational skills;

• full professional proficiency in spoken and written English (Dutch is not required).

Prior exposure to relevant topics at the interface of Economics and Computer Science particularly computational social choice and algorithmic game theory is an advantage but certainly not a requirement.

What we offer you

A temporary contract for 38 hours per week for the duration of 4 years (the initial contract will be for a period of 18 months and after satisfactory evaluation it will be extended for a total duration of 4 years). The preferred starting date is 1 September 2026. This should lead to a dissertation (PhD thesis). We will draft an educational plan that includes attendance of courses and (international) meetings.

The gross monthly salary based on 38 hours per week ranges between 3059 to 3881 (scale P). This does not include 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% year-end allowance. The UFO profile PhD candidate is applicable. A favourable tax agreement the 30% ruling may apply to non-Dutch applicants. The Collective Labour Agreement of Universities of the Netherlands is applicable.

Curious about our extensive secondary benefits package You can read more about ithere.

Where you will work

The Faculty of Science has a student body of around 8000 as well as 1800 members of staff working in education research or support services. Researchers and students at the Faculty of Science are fascinated by every aspect of how the world works be it elementary particles the birth of the universe or the functioning of the brain.

TheInstitute for Logic Language and Computation is home to a thriving community of scholars including philosophers logicians mathematicians computer scientists linguists musicologists and cognitive scientists who share a fascination with the interdisciplinary study of information. At the ILLC we combine the problem solving skills from the sciences with the holistic and reflective view of the humanities to discover the principles that regulate information processing and find answers to some of the hardest challenges of our time.

If you feel the profile fits you and you are interested in the job we look forward to receiving your application. You can apply online via the Apply button. We accept applications until and including 16 February 2026.

Applications should include the following information (all files besides your CV should be submitted in one single PDF file):

• a cover letter including a description of your research interests and an explanation for why you are applying for this position (at most two pages);

• a detailed curriculum vitae (CV);

• a list of all Master-level modules you have taken with an official transcript of grades;

• a link to a writing sample (you have made) available online such as a Masters thesis a term paper a preprint or a publication (in case of joint authorship please clearly indicate your own contribution);

• the names affiliations and email addresses of two or (at most) three people we can contact for letters of recommendation for you.

Please closely follow these instructions (so do not upload your writing sample or any letters of recommendation). Cover letters that look computer-generated are not complete applications received within the response period via the Apply button will be considered. A knowledge security check can be part of the selection procedure (for details:national knowledge security guidelines).

Interviews will be held in March and April 2026.

Do you have any questions or do you require additional information Please contact:

• Dr. Ulle Endriss: