Job Advertisement: Doctoral Student for the TOPML Project, “Agent-Based Modelling for Equal Hiring Practices”, E13 (100%)

 

Summary

The TOPML Project (https://en.topml.uni-mainz.de/) is a 6-year research project funded by Carl Zeiss Foundation at the Institute of Computer Science of Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (JGU). TOPML stands for Trading Off non-functional Properties of Machine Learning: broadly, the project deals with the interactions and dependencies of different desirable properties of Machine Learning. The research topics which investigated include transparency and fairness of data and algorithms, as well as data protection requirements and efficient use of resources such as electricity. A strong focus is given to their competing needs. As an example, how decentralized can data be stored and processed to protect privacy? To what extent does decentralization affect the transparency of algorithms and data? What impact does this have on energy consumption? These various trade-offs will be identified and characterized to create workable trade-offs. Ethical and legal aspects are also considered.

The project is a cooperation between the Institute of Computer Science and various Institutes of both JGU and Hochschule Mainz. 

Why Join TOPML

- TOPML researchers have published in top-ranked conferences and journals, even at an early stage in their career.

- You would join an interdisciplinary network of experienced and early-stage researchers with a clear focus on themes of responsible development of AI methods and application.

- TOPML has a dedicated budget to outreach and networking, and can support your endeavors in further establishing your network.

The Position

We are looking for a person interested in pursuing a PhD in Computer Science and particularly at the intersection of machine learning, algorithmic fairness and agent-based modelling with a potential focus on hiring and recruitment. The project is conceptually located in subproject 1 of TOPML, which deals with fairness and transparency. The position is funded full-time (100%) at the EG 13 level for a duration of 3 years.

The supervising team will be Prof. Stefan Kramer and Dr. Mattia Cerrato from the Institute of Computer Science at JGU. Dr. Mattia Cerrato is a tenured researcher (permanent) at the Institute of Computer Science, JGU Mainz. He is currently a PI for the TOPML project. 

Prof. Dr. Stefan Kramer is full professor of data mining at the Institute of Computer Science of JGU Mainz and was appointed AI Pilot of the state of Rhineland-Palatinate by prime minister Alexander Schweitzer in 2024. He is the spokesperson for the TOPML project.

Requirements & Application Procedure

The ideal candidate will have a Master’s degree in Computer Science, AI or another quantitative discipline, with prior experience in academic research during their undergraduate studies (e.g. will have pursued an experimental Bachelor and Master’s thesis). Solid skills in math and programming are required. Prior experience with agent-based modelling is desirable but not necessary.

To apply, prepare the following:

• An up to date curriculum vitae (3 pages max.),
• A transcript of records of your grades at the Bachelor’s and Master’s level, 
• A motivation letter (2 pages max.) detailing your prior experience with research and your interest in pursuing this specific project,
• The contact of two (2) academic or industrial referees, to be included in the document above
• Your Master’s thesis

Please submit this information, in one PDF file, via email topml-management@uni-mainz.de. (Only applications in one PDF file will be read.) Please use the subject line “Doctoral Student TOPML Project Application”. The deadline for submissions is November 7, 2025 at 23:59 GMT+1, Berlin time.

Contact

Questions about the position and  the application procedure can be directed to Dr. Mattia Cerrato via email: mcerrato [aat] uni [daash] mainz [punkt] de.