PhD position in Decentralised Autonomous Organisations (DAOs) Research

Research Associate in DAO Research

Open Position: Research Associate (PhD Student)

Start Date: Flexible (target Q3 2024)

Duration: Yearly Contract, up to three years

Overview

Decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs) represent a paradigm shift in organizational structures, moving away from traditional hierarchical control to decentralized approaches, leveraging blockchain and cryptoeconomics. These organizations manage significant assets and build global networks, enhancing societal organization through the collective intelligence of diverse and empowered decentralized communities. However, DAOs face challenges like declining participation, rising centralization, and adaptation issues, which can impede innovation and eventually their success.

Role Description

 The successful candidate will undertake a detailed analysis of the challenges DAOs face, pinpoint their underlying causes, and devise and test effective solutions. Responsibilities include collecting data on blockchain-based DAOs, applying network science analytics, identifying key factors influencing success and failure, and developing and testing new strategies through agent-based modeling simulations.   The appointed candidate will support teaching activities and group services of the Blockchain and Distributed Ledger Technologies research group and mentor Bachelor and Master students in topics in her/his area of competence.

Qualifications

Applicants should hold an excellent degree (MA/MSc/Diploma) in the areas of knowledge related to Computational Social Science, Complexity Science, Computer Science, or Economics. Experience in one or more of the following areas is desirable: DAOs, blockchain, opinion formation, digital democracy, cryptoeconomics, voting mechanisms, epidemic models, self-organization, or complex systems. Also a familiarity with Network-science-based methodologies and agent-based modeling, or a keen interest in rapidly acquiring such knowledge is expected.

Other requirements are: (i) Good command of programming languages such as Python/R for data analysis; (ii) Very good command of English (oral and written) and excellent communication skills. Our group prioritises developing exciting new research and creating real world applications in cooperation with organisations. Candidates who demonstrate a track record of completing high quality and innovative research will be privileged. Curiosity and discipline, self-reliance, integrity, and creativity are mandatory attributes.

Context and Additional Responsibilities

This work will be conducted in the context of the “Decentralised Decision-Making in DAOs - Learnings for Digital Democracy” project in collaboration with the University of Albany, UZH Centre for Democracy Studies Aarau, and the ZHAW Institute for Organizational Viability. The candidate will facilitate the success of this collaboration by leading project responsibilities. Further, the candidate will contribute to the teaching and mentorship activities of the Blockchain and Distributed Ledger Technologies group, guiding both Bachelor’s and Master’s students in related subjects.

Offer

- A team with strong emphasis on quantitative yet applied research.

- The opportunity to complete a PhD in Computer Science or Management and Economics.

- The opportunity to work at BDLT, a renowned, highly interdisciplinary group working at the edge of a disruptive research field.

- A thorough career development programme (management by objectives, participation in summer schools, conferences, etc.).

- A well-equipped workspace in an excellent university with international reputation.

- A competitive salary.

- A good work-life balance.

How to apply

Further enquires can be sent to Prof. Dr Claudio J. Tessone (address below).

To be considered, applications must be sent by email, enclosing the following:

(i) A current CV;

(ii) University degrees; 

(iii) A statement of interests and ideas (one page, max); 

(iv) The name and contact details of two referees.

Address your correspondence with subject “[UZH-BCC - PhD Application]” to Claudio Tessone and Nicolò Vallarano at [email protected], with [email protected].

The Blockchain and Distributed Ledger Technologies Group

The group is at the core of the UZH Blockchain Center, focusing on an interdisciplinary approach to Blockchain and DLT systems. We stand that these systems are paramount examples of complex socio-economic and socio-technical systems. The large-scale properties they evince (consensus at the technical level, trust at the social level, wealth, and power accumulation at the economic level) are non-trivial properties that can only be understood by comprehending the link between micro-level behaviour of the multiple, heterogeneous agents that compose them, and their continuous interactions and rules they must abide. To achieve these goals, we perform large-scale data analysis, minimalistic modelling aimed at uncovering mechanisms behind regularities observed. 

The core research lines of the group include: Blockchain Analytics, Cryptoeconomics and Incentive Design, Consensus Modelling and Analysis. We do so by following complex systems approaches which allow us to understand the mechanisms that drive the emergence of large-scale properties in the systems under study.  As such, we are a leading research groups for interdisciplinary approaches to the field, with multiple collaborations with leading platforms in the space.