Postdoc Position in Explainable Reinforcement Learning

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 maximise their use of energy in a just and fair manner.

Your job

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.

Your qualities

• 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.
• 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.
• Familiarity with the topics of charging schemes for electric vehicles, electric grids, and a just energy transition is a plus.

Our offer

• a position for 12 months, with an extension of up to 12 months after a positive evaluation (for a total maximum duration of 24 months);
• a gross monthly starting salary of €4,060 in the case of full-time employment (salary scale 10.4 under the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities (CAO NU));
• 8% holiday pay and 8.3% year-end bonus;
• a pension scheme, partially paid parental leave and flexible terms of employment based on the CAO NU.