Applications are invited for a PhD fellowship/scholarship at Graduate School of Natural Sciences, Aarhus University, Denmark, within the Computer Science programme. The position is available from November 2025 or later.

Title:
Readvertisement: Online and Reinforcement Learning in Game Theory

Research area and project description:
The project seeks to investigate and characterize online and reinforcement learning algorithms within fundamental classes of games, including auctions, markets, and congestion systems. It also aims to explore their equilibrium computation properties in modern machine learning applications. Situated at the intersection of the theoretical foundations of Computer Science, Economics (microeconomics and game theory), and Machine Learning (online learning, reinforcement learning, and deep learning theory), the project offers a rich research landscape. We are seeking a PhD candidate with a strong mathematical background and a passion for these interdisciplinary fields. In recent years, the convergence properties of online learning algorithms in multi-agent settings have garnered significant scientific interest. However, these properties remain poorly understood in several fundamental classes of games. This project will address these open questions by integrating advanced techniques from the theory of machine learning with methodologies from mathematical optimization.

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Qualifications and specific competences:
Applicants must have a relevant Master’s degree in Math, Computer Science or relevant field.

Place of employment and place of work:
The place of employment is Aarhus University, and the place of work is Department of Computer Science, Aarhus University, Denmark. 

Contacts:
Applicants seeking further information for this project are invited to contact: Assistant Professor, Stratis Skoulakis, stratis@cs.au.dk

How to apply:

For information about application requirements and mandatory attachments, please see the Application guide. Please read the Application guide thoroughly before applying.

When ready to apply, go to https://phd.nat.au.dk/for-applicants/apply-here/ (Note, the online application system opens 1 June 2025)

1. Choose August 2025 Call with deadline 1 August 2025 at 23:59 CEST.
2. You will be directed to the call and must choose the programme “Computer Science”.
3. In the boxed named “Study”: In the dropdown menu, please choose: “Readvertisement: Online and Reinforcement Learning in Game Theory (RORLGT)”

Please note:

• The programme committee may request further information or invite the applicant to attend an interview.

At the Faculty of Natural Science at Aarhus University, we strive to support our scientific staff in their career development. We focus on competency development and career clarification and want to make your opportunities transparent. On our website, you can find information on all types of scientific positions, as well as the entry criteria we use when assessing candidates. You can also read more about how we can assist you in your career planning and development.

Aarhus University’s ambition is to be an attractive and inspiring workplace for all and to foster a culture in which each individual has opportunities to thrive, achieve and develop. We view equality and diversity as assets, and we welcome all applicants. All interested candidates are encouraged to apply, regardless of their personal background.