PhD in Agentic AI for Gameplay Characterization

Introduction

This PhD position explores how AI agents can play games to generate meaningful gameplay data. You will work on reinforcement learning automated feature engineering and the comparison of AI- and human-generated gameplay.

Job Description

Background: Video games shape behaviour well-being and digital economiesyet we lack scalable objective ways to analyse gameplay itself. In this PhD project you will tackle the scientific challenge of developing AI agents that can play games generate gameplay data at scale and automatically extract meaningful gameplay features linked to human experience.

Your Role: You will design train and evaluate reinforcement-learning agents that play classic and modern video games. Your work will focus on automated gameplay analysis feature engineering from large-scale behavioural data and comparing AI-generated gameplay with human play. You will contribute core methods that enable scalable explainable and human-centred game AI.

Context: You will contribute to the ERC Starting Grant GAMECHAR (Scalable AI-Driven Framework for Gameplay Characterization; within the Human-Technology Interaction (HTI) group at Eindhoven University of Technology.

HTI brings together psychology AI data science and design to study how interactive systems shape human behaviour and experience. You will collaborate closely with another PhD researcher and a postdoctoral researcher and work with national and international partners. position is embedded in TU/es strong AI ecosystem and connected to the Eindhoven AI Systems Institute (EAISI) and game research facilities.

Societal Impact: Your research contributes to responsible and human-centred AI. By enabling objective gameplay analysis your work supports better digital health interventions fairer game design and evidence-informed European policy on deceptive and harmful digital practices.

Job Requirements

• A masters degree (or an equivalent university degree)in physics applied mathematics data science statistics computer science or game AI.
• A research-oriented attitude.
• Communication skills including academic writing.
• Research project management including organizing and executing and setting priorities.
• Ability to work in an interdisciplinary team and interested in collaborating with industrial partners.
• Motivated to develop your teaching skills and coach students.
• Fluent in spoken and written English (C1 level).
  
  

Conditions of Employment

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 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.
• 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. 3059 - max. 3881).
• 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 childrens 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.

About us

Eindhoven University of Technology is a leading international university within the Brainport region where scientific curiosity meets a hands-on mindset. We work in an open and collaborative way with high-tech industries to tackle complex societal challenges. Our responsible and respectful approach ensures impact today and in the future. TU/e is home to over 13000 students and more than 7000 staff forming a diverse and vibrant academic community.

Information

Do you recognize yourself in this profile and would you like to know more Please contact the hiring managerMax v. Birk .

Visit our website for more information about the application process or the conditions of employment. You can also contact .

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Application

We invite you to submit a complete application by using the apply button. The application should include a:

• Cover letter in which you describe your motivation and qualifications for the position.
• Curriculum vitae including a list of your publications and the contact information of three references. Kindly note that we may reach out to references at any stage of the recruitment process. We recommend notifying your references upon submitting your application.

Ensure that you submit all the requested application documents. We give priority to complete applications.

We look forward to receiving your application and will screen it as soon as possible. The vacancy will remain open until the position is filled.

Please note

• You can apply online. We will not process applications sent by email and/or post.
• A pre-employment screening (e.g. knowledge security check) can be part of the selection procedure. For more information on the knowledge security check please consult the National Knowledge Security Guidelines.
• Please do not contact us for unsolicited services.