PhD candidate in Humanities (Linguistics) 739 views

The Faculty of Humanities at the University of Amsterdam (UvA) is inviting applications from excellent candidates who wish to conduct research on cross-linguistic diversity in the grammatical behaviour of alternating verbs.

About the Project:

• The focus will be on alternating verbs, which require speakers to choose between multiple argument-coding frames.
• The PhD candidate will carry out detailed analyses of alternating verbs in a range of genetically and diverse languages, to be selected on the basis of existing literature and availability of sources (grammars/dictionaries, corpora, specialists, native speakers).
• For each language s/he will study the frequency of specific verbs and associated argument-coding frames, the size and composition of verbal sub-classes, and factor determining choice of coding frame.
• The resulting cross-linguistic database will be mined to detect cross-linguistic clustering of verbs and constructions, as well genetic/areal/structural effects.

Requirements:

• MA (or equivalent) with excellent grades in general Linguistics.
• Specialized knowledge of: linguistic typology; morpho-syntax; functional (usage-based) linguistic theory; corpus linguistics; statistics
• Excellent research skills.
• Excellent academic writing and presentation skills.
• Excellent communicative, social, and organisational skills.
• Excellent proficiency in English

Duration of appointment: 4 years

Applications:

Apply online and applications should include:

• Letter of motivation, stating why you want to do this research in this environment (max. one page);
• CV
• List of grades obtained for your Bachelor and Master (or equivalent) programmes;
• Names and contact details of two academic referees;
• Writing sample, e.g. a published paper or (a chapter from) your MA-thesis.