FUNKNET: postdoc position evolutionary linguistics

[Martin Haspelmath]

Postdoctoral fellowship in linguistics

The Department of Linguistics of the Max Planck Institute for
Evolutionary Anthropology (Leipzig) seeks candidates for a two-year
postdoctoral fellowship in linguistics. The candidates should be able to
make contributions to the department's areas of research.

The Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology studies human
diversity and human origins in a multidisciplinary perspective. The
contribution of linguistics to this goal lies in the study of the
history and prehistory of languages (and peoples) around the world
(especially non-European languages), as well as the current diversity of
human languages (linguistic fieldwork on little-described and endangered
languages and language typology). The Department of Linguistics
collaborates with the Department of Evolutionary Genetics to compare the
evidence from both fields for the prehistory of human populations. The
largest current collaborative projects of the Department of Linguistics
are the Intercontinental Dictionary Series and the World Atlas of
Language Structures. The latter project implies an interest in questions
of areal typology, language contact and substratum effects. More
information on these and other projects is available on the institute's
website (see below).

The postdoctoral fellows are expected to come with a flexible research
agenda that fits into the department's current foci. They should be
ready to contribute to collaborative projects, and they will have the
opportunity to propose collaborative projects themselves. Regular
participation in the department's talks, seminars and workshops is
expected. Except for approved absences (e.g. fieldwork, conferences,
vacation), the place of work is Leipzig. The fellowships are available
from 01 March 2003, but a later starting date may be negotiated.
Postdoctoral fellows must have their PhD in hand before the starting
date.

There are no teaching obligations, but the opportunity for teaching in
the linguistics program of the University of Leipzig exists.

Good knowledge of English is required.

Applicants are requested to send a C.V., statement of research
interests, two letters of recommendation, and a sample of written work
on a relevant topic to:

Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology
Personnel Administration
Prof. Dr. Bernard Comrie
- Postdoctoral fellow position -
Inselstrasse 22
D-01403 Leipzig Germany

fax:       +49 341 99 52 119 e_mail:   comrie at eva.mpg.de
web:  http://www.eva.mpg.de/lingua/