32.1494, Support: Linguistic Theories; Morphology: PhD, Universitaet Leipzig

Thu Apr 29 19:26:30 UTC 2021

LINGUIST List: Vol-32-1494. Thu Apr 29 2021. ISSN: 1069 - 4875.

Subject: 32.1494, Support: Linguistic Theories; Morphology: PhD, Universitaet Leipzig

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Date: Thu, 29 Apr 2021 15:26:00
From: Gereon Mueller [gereon.mueller at uni-leipzig.de]
Subject: Linguistic Theories; Morphology: PhD, Universitaet Leipzig, Germany

 Institution/Organization: Universitaet Leipzig 
Department: Linguistics 
Web Address: https://www.philol.uni-leipzig.de/en/institute-of-linguistics/research/ru-cyclic-optimization/ 

Level: PhD 

Duties: Research

Specialty Areas: Linguistic Theories; Morphology 

Description:

The project ''Prospects of Inflectional Morphology in Harmonic Serialism'' (PI
Gereon Mueller) invites applications for a four-year PhD position in
Linguistics/Morphology (federal German pay scale TV-L E13, 65%). The project
is part of the research unit (RU) ''Cyclic Optimization'', which is funded by
the German Research Foundation (Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft, DFG); see
https://www.philol.uni-leipzig.de/en/institute-of-linguistics/research/ru-cycl
ic-optimization/ for further information about the project and the RU. 

The position starts on October 1, 2021.

The central research focus of the RU is on grammatical models that combine
aspects of optimization and cyclicity in the areas of phonology, morphology,
syntax, semantics and computation. The present project pursues a strictly
derivational, cyclic, optimization-based approach to inflectional morphology
that qualifies as lexical-realizational and postulates an autonomous
morphological component in the grammar (like Distributed Morphology), but
derives morphological exponence from basic Merge operations (rather than
designated rules of exponence like vocabulary insertion), and crucially relies
on optimization procedures at every derivational step (harmonic serialism).

The empirical phenomena to be addressed by the project team (which will also
include a postdoc and a student research assistant) comprise topics like affix
order, extended exponence, disjunctive blocking, apparently non-local stem
allomorphy, and *ABA patterns (where initial analyses based on harmonic
serialism exist but need to be further substantiated by empirical case
studies); and, in particular, topics like impoverishment effects, exponent
drop, deponency, paradigm gaps, morphological movement, and discontinuous
bleeding.

The PhD student is expected to participate in the rotation program of the RU,
which involves two 2-month internships in other projects of the RU, and the
courses offered in the RU training program. Travel money for conferences is
available.

Application Requirements:
Candidates should have a strong background in morphological theories of
inflection (e.g., Distributed Morphology or Paradigm Function Morphology), and
they should ideally have some expertise in both optimality theory and
minimalist syntax. Researchers from international backgrounds are encouraged
to apply; prior knowledge of German is not required. Candidates should have an
M.A. (or comparable) in linguistics (or a related field), with degree in hand
latest by October 1, 2021.

Supporting Documents:
- Statement of purpose (1-2 pages) that clarifies the research interests of
the applicant, elaborating on how these would fit in with the research goals
of the project; this can be in English or German.
- Representative sample of research work (e.g. an advanced seminar paper or
M.A. thesis): in English or German
- Two letters of recommendation
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Copy of degree (to be handed in latest by October 1, 2021, if not already
available by June 30, 2021)

All supporting documents for the application should be emailed electronically
as a single pdf file (the M.A. degree to be scanned in) to Gereon Mueller
(subject line: cyclop pimhs; email address given below). The recommendation
letters should be emailed directly to this address by the referees.

Application Deadline: 30-Jun-2021 

Mailing Address for Applications:
	Attn: Prof. Dr. Gereon Mueller 
	Beethovenstr. 15 
	Leipzig D-04107 
	Germany 

Web Address for Applications: https://home.uni-leipzig.de/muellerg/ 

Contact Information: 
	Prof. Dr. Gereon Mueller 
	gereon.mueller at uni-leipzig.de  

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