Most of the web that we know operates under a “free-service in exchange for collecting your personal data” business model. The aim of this PhD position is to study, develop, and demonstrate alternative “human-centric” economics models in which end users may negotiate, retract, and receive (micro)payments for granting access to their personal data. The work will include both theoretical questions, such as: “How to define the value of personal data?”, “How to split it in a multilateral value chain?”, as well as practical ones, such as: “How to implement such an economy over existing web technologies and frameworks?”, “How to validate its properties using real data in a realistic setting?”.

Requirements

• Degree in Computer Science or related field.
• Strong background in algorithms, big data, machine learning, and information theory.
• Some background on economics.
• Strong programming and data analysis skills using recent technologies and frameworks.

Related pointers

• J. Lanier, “Who owns the future?”: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Who_Owns_the_Future%3F
• Carrascal et al., “Your browsing behavior for a big mac: economics of personal information online,” WWW’13. [pdf]
• Papadopoulos et al., “If you are not paying for it, you are the product: How much do advertisers pay to reach you?”, ACM IMC’17. [pdf]
• “An emerging offer of personal information management services". Current state of service offers and challenges. DG CONNECT. [pdf]

The selected student will be supervised by Dr. Nikolaos Laoutaris.

Application information

THE DEADLINE FOR RECEIPT OF APPLICATIONS IS 31 MAY 2019 (14:00 CET) OR AS SOON AS THE POSITIONS ARE FILLED.

TO APPLY PLEASE FILL IN THIS https://careers.networks.imdea.org/