PhD Position in Sequential Decision-Making

Faculty: 

Faculty of Science

Department: 

Department of Information and Computing Sciences

Hours per week: 

36 to 40

Application deadline: 

15 May 2026

Join our research team as PhD candidate on the DECIDE project, an ambitious inter- and transdisciplinary initiative to design AI systems for decision support, that contribute to the empowerment and democratic participation of citizens. You will focus on developing adaptive learning systems that enhance the transparency and contestability of AI decisions through personalized, multimodal explanations. 

AI is increasingly used in domains where decisions carry profound consequences for human lives. By focusing on transparency and contestability, this PhD project gives you the opportunity to shape how humans and AI interact in high-stakes contexts. You will help define how AI can support—not replace—human judgment, ensuring that technology empowers rather than undermines trust and autonomy.

You will be part of the DECIDE project: a large-scale, NWO-funded research initiative under the Dutch Research Agenda (NWA). This position is a collaboration between Utrecht University and multiple other universities, including Eindhoven and Delft Universities of Technology and the University of Twente. As a PhD candidate, you will be part of a vibrant inter- and transdisciplinary research community, collaborating across disciplines and with societal stakeholders to achieve real-world impact. You will also participate in joint training programmes on interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary research methods, citizen engagement, and ethical AI. 

In this project, you will conduct original research within the thematic scope of your work package, by:

• Developing adaptive learning systems, in the context of sequential decision-making and reinforcement learning
• Enhancing transparency and contestability of decision-making processes, taking a multimodal approach to reveal the reasoning behind complex AI-driven planning and learning algorithms.
• Personalizing user interactions by building models that adapt explanations to specific knowledge levels and interests of users, so that user modelling and formal reasoning transform opaque decision-making processes into interactive exchanges that empower citizens to understand, challenge, and influence outcomes in real-world domains such as healthcare and mobility

We are looking for a collaborative and passionate new group member who meets the following criteria:

• A Master’s degree in AI, Computing Science, Mathematics, or Data Science.
• Strong coding, communication and organizational skills.
• Demonstrable experience with using machine learning packages (e.g., PyTorch).
• Completed academic courses in AI or machine learning.

We consider it an advantage if you bring experience with Reinforcement Learning, Deep Learning and/or Explainable AI, demonstrated for example through coursework or research projects.

• a position for 18 months, with an extension to a total of four years upon successful assessment in the first 18 months;
• a gross monthly salary starting at € 3,059 in the first year and increasing annually up to €3,881 in the fourth year, based on full-time employment (salary scale P under the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities (CAO NU));
• 8% holiday pay and 8.3% year-end bonus;
• a pension scheme, partially paid parental leave and flexible terms of employment based on the CAO NU.

In addition to the terms of employment laid down in the CAO NU, Utrecht University also offers a range of its own schemes for employees. This includes arrangements for professional development , various types of leave, and options for sports and cultural activities . You can also tailor your employment conditions through our Terms of Employment Options Model. In this way, we encourage you to keep investing in your personal and professional development. For more information, please visit Working at Utrecht University .

A better future for everyone. This ambition motivates our scientists in executing their leading research and inspiring teaching. At Utrecht University , the various disciplines collaborate intensively towards major strategic themes . Our focus is on Dynamics of Youth, Institutions for Open Societies, Life Sciences and Pathways to Sustainability. Sharing science, shaping tomorrow .

Working at the Faculty of Science
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means bringing together inspiring people across disciplines and with a variety of perspectives and backgrounds. The Faculty has six departments: Biology, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Information & Computing Sciences, Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics. Together, we work on excellent research and inspiring education. We do so, driven by curiosity and supported by outstanding infrastructure. Visit us on LinkedIn and discover how you can become part of our community.

The Department of Information and Computing Sciences  is nationally and internationally known for its research in computer science and information science. The Department provides and contributes to the undergraduate programs in Computer Science, Information Science, and Artificial Intelligence and a number of research Master's programmes in these fields. It employs over 200 people in four divisions: Algorithms, AI & Data Science, Software and Interaction. The atmosphere is collegial and informal.

In the Intelligent Systems group we focus on fundamental and applied research in the area of safe and responsible artificial intelligence, combining areas such as reinforcement learning, social and cognitive computational modelling, knowledge representation and reasoning, agent-based modelling. 

For more information, please contact Roxana Rădulescu  at r.t.radulescu@uu.nl .

Do you have a question about the application procedure? Please send an email to science.recruitment@uu.nl .

As Utrecht University, we want to be a home  for everyone. We value staff with diverse backgrounds, perspectives and identities, including cultural, religious or ethnic background, gender, sexual orientation, disability or age. We strive to create a safe and inclusive environment in which everyone can flourish and contribute.

Knowledge security screening can be part of the selection procedures of academic staff. We do this, among other things, to prevent the unwanted transfer of sensitive knowledge and technology.

If you are enthusiastic about this position, just apply via the "Apply now" button! Please enclose:

• your letter of motivation,  in which you explain why you are interested in the position and highlight how your previous experience, skills and qualifications demonstrate that you are a suitable candidate for the position, as outlined under “Your qualities”;
• your Curriculum vitae;
• your academic transcripts (certified records of your grades) for both your BSc and MSc;
• the names, telephone numbers, and email addresses of at least two references.

If this specific opportunity isn’t for you, but you know someone else who may be interested, please forward this vacancy to them.

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The application deadline is 15 May 2026.