[Corpora-List] Post-Doc position at Georgetown University

[Graham Katz (E-Mail)]

Postdoctoral Researcher:  Semantics, Computational Linguistics;  Georgetown University

The Department of Linguistics at Georgetown University solicits applications for a Post-doctoral Researcher position as part of an NSF-funded project (PIs:  Katz, Portner,  Herburger) on the semantics of gradable modal expressions (GMEs). Candidates should have expertise in either formal semantics/pragmatics or computational linguistics, and ideally will also bring to the project relevant knowledge of other areas, such as psychology, philosophy of language/logic, or computer science.

The project will investigate the fact that modal expressions, across languages and syntactic categories, widely show evidence of gradability ("It is more likely that A than B", "A is more permissible than B", "A is extremely unlikely").  It will combine two main components, one in formal semantics/pragmatics, and the other in the computational corpus linguistics, with the goals being (i) a better empirical understanding of the distribution (at the sentence and discourse levels) of GMEs, (ii) the development of a precise theoretical analysis of the gradability of modals which brings out consequences for the semantics/pragmatics of modality and gradable expressions more generally, (iii) the development of two mid-sized corpora with appropriate annotation and tools for studying the distribution and meanings of GMEs, and (iv) preliminary corpus-based NLP research on the identification and interpretation of GMEs.

The person filling this position will contribute at a full-time basis to the project by participating in weekly team meetings, conducting research on the topic appropriate to his/her skills, publishing (jointly with other team members, and individually if appropriate), travel to conferences, participating in seminars, and the like.  There may be an opportunity to teach as well, if this is jointly considered desirable.  The anticipated start date for the position is August 2011, and it is expected to continue for 22 months at a salary of $50,000/year.  

Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled.  The following materials should be sent to the address below. 

(i) Cover letter, describing how his/her knowledge and research background will contribute to the project;
(ii) CV;
(iii) Contact information for three recommenders;
(iv) Up to three publications.

Address for applications:

Hard Copy					Electronic
Paul Portner					graham.katz at googlemail.com
Department of Linguistics
Georgetown University
Washington, DC  20057

Georgetown University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer.  Women, minorities, veterans, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
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