Postdoc Position in Explainable Reinforcement Learning - Job Opportunity at Universiteit Utrecht

Utrecht, Netherlands
Full-time
Mid-level
Posted: March 30, 2025
On-site
EUR 48,720 per year

Benefits

Competitive base salary with 8% holiday pay and 8.3% year-end bonus enhancing total compensation
Comprehensive pension scheme supporting long-term financial security
Family-friendly policies including partially paid parental leave
Professional development opportunities through university resources and schemes
Work-life balance support through flexible employment terms
Access to sports and cultural activities with university discounts
IT benefits including software discounts
Terms of Employment Options Model for customized benefits

Key Responsibilities

Lead development of Reinforcement Learning models for smart energy management systems
Design and implement Explainable Reinforcement Learning methods to enhance model transparency
Analyze fairness and justice metrics in energy distribution algorithms
Collaborate with multi-disciplinary teams across Dutch universities
Engage with industrial partners for practical implementation
Publish research findings in academic journals and conferences
Contribute to the broader NWO research project objectives

Requirements

Education

PhD in Computer Science, Applied Mathematics or Operations Research

Experience

Research experience in Reinforcement Learning and XRL

Required Skills

Reinforcement Learning Explainable Reinforcement Learning (XRL) Fairness in Reinforcement Learning models Programming skills (Python preferred) English proficiency Collaboration and communication skills Independent research capabilities
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Sauge AI Market Intelligence

Industry Trends

Rising demand for explainable AI solutions in energy management systems as grid complexity increases Growing focus on fairness and ethical considerations in AI-driven resource allocation Increasing intersection of renewable energy, electric mobility, and smart grid technologies creating new research opportunities Shift towards transparency and accountability in AI systems, particularly in public infrastructure

Salary Evaluation

The offered salary of EUR 48,720 is competitive for academic postdoc positions in the Netherlands, typically ranging from EUR 45,000 to EUR 55,000 annually. Including bonuses and benefits, the total compensation package is attractive for the academic sector.

Role Significance

Typically part of a research group of 5-10 members, with extended collaboration network across multiple universities
Mid-level research position with significant autonomy and project ownership, reporting to principal investigators while leading technical implementation

Key Projects

Development of intelligent EV charging management systems Creation of explainable AI frameworks for energy distribution Implementation of fairness metrics in resource allocation algorithms Cross-institutional research collaboration initiatives

Success Factors

Strong foundation in both theoretical and applied aspects of reinforcement learning Ability to bridge technical complexity with practical implementation requirements Excellence in academic writing and research publication Strong stakeholder management skills across academic and industry partners

Market Demand

High demand for specialists in explainable AI and reinforcement learning, particularly in sustainable energy applications. The combination of technical expertise and sustainability focus makes this role increasingly valuable.

Important Skills

Critical Skills

Deep understanding of reinforcement learning algorithms and their practical applications Experience with explainable AI methods and fairness metrics Strong programming skills for implementation and testing Research methodology and academic writing capabilities

Beneficial Skills

Knowledge of energy systems and electric vehicle charging protocols Experience with smart grid technologies Stakeholder management and presentation skills Project management capabilities

Unique Aspects

Rare combination of explainable AI and sustainable energy focus
Direct involvement in practical application of theoretical research
Multi-disciplinary collaboration opportunities
Connection to Dutch national research initiatives

Career Growth

2-year position with potential for academic career progression or industry transition after completion

Potential Next Roles

Senior Researcher in AI/ML Assistant Professor Industry Research Scientist Technical Lead in Energy AI Solutions

Company Overview

Universiteit Utrecht

Utrecht University is one of the Netherlands' leading research institutions with strong international recognition in computer science and sustainability research

Top-tier academic institution with significant research funding and industry partnerships
Major player in Dutch academic landscape with strong European research network
Collaborative academic environment with focus on innovation and societal impact
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