PhD Position F/M Collusion in Agentic Systems

Inria Palaiseau; Palaiseau; On-site; EUR 21,000 - 27,000; Full time

Job summary

Inria Palaiseau invites applications for a PhD position in the FairPlay team, a collaboration between Inria, ENSAE and Criteo. The PhD will analyze fairness in online algorithms using game theory and learning theory, with bi-localized work across CREST and Criteo HQ in Paris. The successful candidate will publish results and present talks.

The role requires a strong mathematical background and proficiency in probability and online learning, and languages include French or English.

Qualifications

• Strong background in mathematics, with emphasis on probability and online learning.
• Fluency in French or English.

Responsibilities

• Conduct research on fairness in online algorithms.
• Document results through publications and talks.

Skills

Mathematics

Probability

Online learning

Education

PhD in Mathematics/Computer Science

Job description

Context

The recruited student will work in the FairPlay team. FairPlay is a joint team between Inria, ENSAE and Criteo with around 8 permanent researchers and 15 PhD students/postdocs from all three partners institution. The team is bi-localized, hosting at CREST (on the Polytechnique campus) but working from Criteo HQ in Paris once a week.

Assignment

Agentic systems are increasingly present: agents make decisions or tasks. They may interact for that with other agents, which opens the possibility of collaboration, but also potentially of collusion. This was observed in the past in algorithmic pricing systems. The objective of the PhD is to analyze these questions theoretically using game theory and learning theory.

Main activities

Conduct research on fairness in online algorithms.

Additional activities

Document the results through publications and talks.

Skills

Technical skills and level required : A strong background in mathematics, in particular in probability and online learning.

Languages

French or English