<div dir="ltr"><p>Applications are invited for a 24-month postdoctoral research
position based in the newly-created Centre for Linguistic History and
Diversity, part of the Department of Language and Linguistic Science at
the University of York. The Centre includes an international research
collaboration between York, the University of Pennsylvania (USA), and
the University of Campinas (Brazil), which aims to develop a unified and
integrated approach to language diversity revolving around three
fundamental questions:</p>
<ul><li>How can the mechanisms of language variation through time be investigated?</li><li>What is the potential scope of language diversity (beyond the vocabulary)?</li><li>How did the languages of the world actually diversify from their (pre-)historical ancestors?</li>
</ul>
<p>The position is intended to develop the computional and mathematical
infrastructure for current and planned research projects in the Centre.
It involves developing the statistical and computational infrastructure
for sophisticated linguistic modelling of large data sets, in the first
instance focussed on syntax and morphology, as the basis for advanced
research from historical and/or typological perspectives. A strong
mathematical and computational background is necessary, as well as a
demonstrated interest in addressing issues of comparative linguistic
significance.</p>
<p>A significant amount of the funding for the position will be provided
through the LANGELIN ERC Advanced Grant project, PI Prof. Giuseppe
Longobardi <a href="http://www.york.ac.uk/language/research/projects/langelin/" target="_blank">www.york.ac.uk/language/research/projects/langelin/</a>).</p>
<p>An important part of the research to be conducted by the appointee
will be concerned with assessing and developing statistical and
phylogenetic programs for the morphosyntactic classification of world
languages and genealogical reconstruction of their prehistory.</p>
<p>The post is available from 1 January 2014, or as soon as possible
thereafter, on a full-time basis for a fixed-term period of 24 months.</p>
<p style="text-align:left">The University of York is committed to promoting equality and diversity.</p><p style="text-align:left">To see the University advertisement, go to <a href="https://jobs.york.ac.uk/wd/plsql/wd_portal.show_job?p_web_site_id=3885&p_web_page_id=173557">https://jobs.york.ac.uk/wd/plsql/wd_portal.show_job?p_web_site_id=3885&p_web_page_id=173557</a><br>
</p><br clear="all"><br>-- <br>Susan Pintzuk<br>Department of Language and Linguistic Science<br>Vanbrugh C Block, V/C/119<br>
University of York<br>Heslington, York YO10 5DD<br>UK<br>telephone: 44 1904 322667<br>e-mail: <a href="mailto:susan.pintzuk@york.ac.uk" target="_blank">susan.pintzuk@york.ac.uk</a>
</div>