Closing: 15 December 2025
About UTS
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Department /Research Centre
UTS Business School – Department of Economics
Project Name
Frameworks for Human-AI Interactions: Models, Experiments, and Policies
Project Description
This PhD project aligns with and supports an ARC Discovery Project dedicated to the experimental investigation of human-AI interactions, guided by novel economic models and frameworks, and focused on their societal implications.
The project is led by Professor Mikhail Anufriev (UTS) and brings together a team of national and international researchers. It is funded by the Australian Research Council.
The research explores how humans and algorithms interact in the design and implementation of economic and social policies in complex environments. It employs methods from experimental economics and computational economic theory, aiming to develop robust policy designs for a world where humans and AI systems work together. A key focus is on differences between policies designed for humans versus AI agents, as well as variations in human behaviour under each.
The significance of this project lies in its potential to generate insights that help adapt and leverage policies for improved economic outcomes in an era of advanced technologies. By conducting innovative experiments at both the micro and macro policy levels, the research seeks to produce actionable recommendations for optimal policy design.
This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to the development of new theoretical knowledge about modern society at a time of transformational change.
Other Important Information
The PhD stipend for this project is awarded and administered by the UTS Graduate Research School (GRS) at a current 2025 value of $37,000 per annum (indexed). Centrally funded stipends are for domestic candidates only. Domestic candidates are defined as those holding Australian citizenship, New Zealand citizenship or Australian permanent residency at the time of their application.
Applicants must hold a relevant undergraduate, Honours, or Master's degree in Economics, Mathematics, Computer Science, Finance, or Psychology, and must have a strong quantitative background.
HOW TO APPLY
Interested candidates, please complete an Expression of Interest form:
Since this is a proposal related to the specific project, instead of attaching the Research Proposal (supporting document 3), please attach your vision about how you can contribute to the project (one page is sufficient) and note in this document that you are applying for the 'Frameworks for Human-AI Interactions: Models, Experiments, and Policies. PhD Scholarship'. Expressions of Interest must be submitted by 15 December 2025.
Full details of the application process can be found at
Please direct any enquiries about either of these opportunities to Professor Mikhail Anufriev ) or