PhD scholarship in AI Agents in Electricity Markets: Equilibria, Multi-agent Learning Dynamics,[...]

DTU - Technical University of Denmark; Kongens Lyngby; On-site; DKK 402,000 - 469,000; Full time

Job summary

DTU – Technical University of Denmark is offering a PhD position focused on AI-driven, profit-seeking agents in electricity markets. You will study learning-based strategies, equilibria, and safe operation of critical infrastructure with a blend of theory and computation.

The role emphasizes multi-agent systems, optimal control, and algorithmic market design, with a collaboration across DTU Compute and the Department of Applied Mathematics and Computer Science.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in a quantitative field and strong background in optimization or control.
• Solid understanding of multi-agent learning and game-theoretic concepts.
• Programming skills in Python or Julia and excellent English.

Responsibilities

• Model AI-driven learning dynamics in electricity markets.
• Analyze market equilibria focusing on safety and learnability.
• Develop algorithms to detect harmful market outcomes.
• Design market rules to steer learning dynamics in multi-agent settings.
• Combine theory with numerical experiments and publish results.

Skills

Systems & Control

Optimization

Game Theory

Multi-agent Systems

Reinforcement Learning

Applied Mathematics

Power/Electricity Markets

Education

Two-year Master’s degree

Tools

Python

Julia

Job description

Job Description

Are you interested in working at the intersection of optimal control, AI algorithms, and game theory, on problems that matter for real-world critical infrastructure? This PhD position offers the opportunity to develop strong competencies in multi‑agent systems, learning and optimization, while addressing a timely and high‑impact challenge: the growing use of AI agents in electricity markets. By joining our group of Dynamical Systems at DTU – department of Applied Mathematics and Computer Science, you will build rigorous mathematical and algorithmic tools to analyze how strategic, learning‑based agents interact, and to design market rules that steer their learning dynamics toward stable, efficient, and safe outcomes.

Responsibilities And Qualifications

The purpose of this PhD position is to understand how AI‑driven, profit‑seeking agents interact in electricity markets and how these interactions shape market equilibria and dynamics. The project focuses on analyzing learning‑based strategic behavior in multi‑agent settings and on designing market rules that ensure stable, efficient, and safe operation of critical infrastructure. The work combines theory and computation, with a strong emphasis on multi‑agent systems, optimal control, and algorithmic market design.

Your main tasks will include:

• Model AI‑driven learning dynamics in electricity markets
• Analyze equilibria in terms of safety and learnability
• Develop algorithms to detect and characterize harmful market outcomes
• Design, test, and optimize market rules that steer multi‑agent learning dynamics
• Combine theoretical analysis with numerical experiments
• Communicate results through publications and presentations

You should have a background in one of the following areas:

• Systems and Control
• Optimization / Operations Research
• Game Theory and Learning in Games
• Multi‑agent Systems, Reinforcement Learning, or AI
• Algorithms / Applied Mathematics
• Power Systems or Electricity Markets (not a hard requirement)

In addition, you should have basic programming skills (e.g. Python, Julia) and an excellent command of English.

You must have a two‑year master’s degree (120 ECTS points) or a similar degree with an academic level equivalent to a two‑year master’s degree.

Approval and Enrolment

The scholarship for the PhD degree is subject to academic approval, and the candidate will be enrolled in one of the general degree programmes at DTU. For information about our enrolment requirements and the general planning of the PhD study programme, please see DTU's rules for the PhD education.

Assessment

The assessment of the applicants will be made by Associate Professor Georgios Tsaousoglou.

We offer

DTU is a leading technical university globally recognized for the excellence of its research, education, innovation and scientific advice. We offer a rewarding and challenging job in an international environment. We strive for academic excellence in an environment characterized by collegial respect and academic freedom tempered by responsibility.

Salary and appointment terms

The appointment will be based on the collective agreement with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. The allowance will be agreed upon with the relevant union. The period of employment is 3 years.

The starting date is in January 2027 (or according to mutual agreement).

The position is a full‑time position.

You can read more about career paths at DTU here.

Further information

Further information may be obtained from Associate Professor Georgios Tsaousoglou ([e-mail]). If you are applying from abroad, you may find useful information on working in Denmark and at DTU at DTU – Moving to Denmark. Furthermore, you have the option of joining our monthly free seminar “PhD relocation to Denmark and startup “Zoom” seminar ” for all questions regarding the practical matters of moving to Denmark and working as a PhD at DTU.

DTU Compute – Department of Mathematics and Computer Science – is an internationally recognised academic environment with over 400 employees and 10 research sections. We broadly cover digital technologies within mathematics, data science, computer science, and computer engineering, including artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, internet of things (IoT), chip design, cybersecurity, human‑computer interaction, social networks, fairness, and data ethics. Our research is rooted in basic research and centres on mathematical models of the physical and virtual world, as a basis for the analysis, design, and implementation of complex systems. We focus on ensuring that our research results contribute to creating a better society by supporting areas such as health, green transition, energy supply, and life science. We collaborate with universities, public and private organisations, and companies in Denmark and abroad, and through DTU’s startup ecosystem, we encourage innovation and entrepreneurship. We have a strong ethical, human, and sustainable approach that ensures integrity in our work. Therefore, we strive for and take responsibility for driving the democratisation of digital technologies, so that everyone has the opportunity to actively participate in the development, and we ensure a continued open, democratic, and inclusive society for the benefit of all. At DTU Compute, we value diversity, inclusion, and a flexible work‑life balance.

DTU is one of Europe’s leading elite technical universities. Through research and education at an international top level, we create solutions to the major societal challenges of our time and help secure Europe’s global leadership in sustainable technological development. Since Hans Christian Ørsted founded DTU almost 200 years ago, our mission has remained the same: We develop and create value through the natural and technical sciences for the benefit of society. DTU has 13,800 students, 1,600 PhD students, and 6,500 employees. We work in an international environment and have an inclusive, stimulating, and informal work culture. DTU has campuses in all parts of Denmark and in Greenland and collaborates with the best universities around the world.