PhD Position (3 years) -- Improving collective decisions in expert committees

Topic: Improving collective decisions in expert committees

Abstract: Expert committees such as the French agency ANSES, the European Medical Agency, or the European Central Bank make collective decisions, trying to track the truth on key issues and not make mistakes. Yet, current practices often display biases: for instance, the order of speech may inhibit from speaking, while first-past-the-post (majority) voting displays well-known defects. The doctoral student will work on adapting novel methods from voting theory --- such as the non-opposition rule or Majority Judgment --- to epistemological and scientific issues, so as to improve collective decisions in expert committees. Methodologically, they will employ argument analysis, formal modeling, computer simulation, and controlled experiments. Application to specific scientific domains (e.g., medicine, environment, economics…) can be considered.

Research areas: philosophy of science, formal epistemology, decision theory, experimental economics.

Research team

Supervisor: Thomas Boyer-Kassem (philosophy of science, Université de Poitiers, France)
Co-supervisor : Sébastien Duchêne (experimental economics, MBS School of Business, France)

Inclusion in two research projects: ANR-DFG research project QUALIGRASCI, “Qualitative Grading in Science — Rationality, Aggregation, and Applications” [https://philo.labo.univ-poitiers.fr/qualitative-grading-in-science/] and ERI research project DECIMED “Towards an improved collective decision in medical expert committees”.

Within these two research projects, the candidate will have the opportunity to interact with a wonderful international team, among which: Dunja Šešelja (philosophy, Ruhr Universität Bochum, Germany), Minkyung Wang (philosophy, LMU Munich), Rida Laraki (mathematics, UM6P, Morocco), Cyrille Imbert (philosophy, CNRS Nancy, France), Marion Vorms (philosophy, Sorbonne, Paris), Philippe Urfalino (philosophy and sociology, EHESS, Paris), Sara Martouzet (philosophy and anthropology, Tours)...

Where? The doctoral student’s institutional affiliation will be in Philosophy at the Université de Poitiers. However, personal residence in Poitiers is not mandatory. A research office will be made available both in Poitiers and in Montpellier. Regular research stays will be scheduled in Poitiers, Montpellier, and Bochum (Germany), and will be covered by the projects.

When? starting date: September 2026 (can be negotiated if needed).

Duration: 3 years. Possibilities of extension for 1 year (ATER, study engineer…) as is common in French universities.

The doctoral student will be expected to submit their work to high-profile international journals, in philosophy, economics and/or interdisciplinary journals.

Gross salary: 2300 € / month (French “doctorant contractuel” status)

Teaching. No teaching duties are included in the position, but optional teaching in Poitiers or in Montpellier can be considered, with a limit of 64 hours per year (about 200€/month).

Requirements. Master / MA in Philosophy or in Economics, with skills in at least one of the following area: modeling, formalization, computer simulation (e.g. through an education in economics, physics, mathematics, psychology…). A desire to learn about experimental economics approaches and statistics, or about philosophy. Interdisciplinary profiles are highly welcome.

Language. A good command of the English language is required (at least B2). Mastery of French is not required, just expected to be acquired through the doctoral years.

How apply?

Please send before May 17th to [email protected] (subject: “Application for a doctoral position”):

- a CV

- an application letter with an explanation of why the candidate thinks they have the required skills

- a writing sample

Shortlisted candidates will be invited for online interviews around the end of May, with final answers in early June.

For more information or informal inquiries, please write to [email protected]