[Job-offers-cs] Postdoc vacancy in Explainable Reinforcement Learning Utrecht University Netherlands

[Pekka Orponen]

Postdoc vacancy in Explainable Reinforcement Learning Utrecht University 
Netherlands

Join us at Utrecht University and contribute to the development of 
Explainable Reinforcement Learning models for the 
energy-mobility-housing nexus!

Job description

Current advancements in energy technology has led to an increase in the 
use of photovoltaic panels in residential areas, and an increasing use 
of electric cars. Communities can now benefit from the energy produced 
by their own photovoltaic panels for daily energy use, as well as for 
charging their electric vehicles. However, it remains a challenge to 
manage the energy such that individuals maximize their use of energy in 
a just and fair manner.

In this research project, you will be working towards developing 
Reinforcement Learning (RL) models that intelligently manage the 
charging/discharging of electric vehicles in the energy-mobility-housing 
nexus. RL models, however, are often seen as "black-boxes". To enhance 
transparency, you will design methods to reveal the decision-making 
structure of the models using Explainable Reinforcement Learning (XRL). 
This will allow for an in-detail analysis of the level of justness and 
fairness achieved with the proposed RL. For example, with XRL, you will 
quantify the distribution of benefits and costs that the RL decision 
strategy proposes across individuals. You will also identify driving 
factors and conditions that contribute to the decisions proposed by the 
RL model.

This Postdoc position is part of a Dutch NWO research project. Within 
the project, you will have the opportunity to collaborate with several 
Dutch universities and researchers from multi-disciplinary backgrounds, 
and several industrial partners.

Qualifications
We are looking for an enthusiastic new colleague who meets the following 
criteria:

You hold a PhD degree in Computer Science, Applied Mathematics or 
Operations Research, or you are within a few months from defending your PhD;
You are familiar with Reinforcement Learning, Explainable Reinforcement 
Learning (XRL), fairness in Reinforcement Learning models.
Familiarity with the topics of charging schemes for electric vehicles, 
electric grids, and a just energy transition is a plus;
You have demonstrated programming skills (familiarity with Python is a 
plus);
You are willing to work in a multi-disciplinary team with researchers, 
and with diverse teams of stakeholders;
You possess collaboration and communication skills with an independent 
outlook in defining and solving research problems;
You are proficient in English.

Offer
* A Postdoc position for 2 years;
* A full-time gross salary ranging from ;
* 8% holiday bonus and 8.3% end-of-year bonus;
* A pension scheme, partially paid parental leave, and flexible 
employment conditions based on the Collective Labour Agreement Dutch 
Universities

Deadline: 30th of April 2025

More information here: 
https://www.uu.nl/en/organisation/working-at-utrecht-university/jobs/postdoc-position-in-explainable-reinforcement-learning>
Mihaela Mitici
m.a.mitici at uu.nl