32.1525, Support: Computational Linguistics; Linguistic Theories; Morphology; Phonology; Syntax: PhD, Universität Leipzig

[The LINGUIST List]

LINGUIST List: Vol-32-1525. Mon May 03 2021. ISSN: 1069 - 4875.

Subject: 32.1525, Support: Computational Linguistics; Linguistic Theories; Morphology; Phonology; Syntax: PhD, Universität Leipzig

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Date: Mon, 03 May 2021 16:35:47
From: Greg Kobele [gkobele at uni-leipzig.de]
Subject: Computational Linguistics; Linguistic Theories; Morphology; Phonology; Syntax: PhD, Universität Leipzig, Germany

 Institution/Organization: Universität Leipzig 
Department: Linguistics 
Web Address: https://www.philol.uni-leipzig.de/en/institute-of-linguistics/ 

Level: PhD 

Duties: Research
 
Specialty Areas: Computational Linguistics; Linguistic Theories; Morphology; Phonology; Syntax 
 

Description:

The project "Computational Aspects of Cyclic Optimization" offers two fully
funded 4-year PhD positions (payscale: TVL-E13, 65%) (starting from October
1st, 2021). The project is part of the Research Unit “Cyclic Optimization”
(Leipzig University), funded by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG).

This project investigates the formal properties of cyclic optimization, both
its descriptive and explanatory power and its relation to other modes of
grammatical analysis. The ultimate goal is to understand what it would tell us
about language, were aspects of it to be (even only best) describable in terms
of cyclic optimization.

Some topics of study include:
- The proper understanding of cyclicity across grammatical domains,
- The (weak/strong/derivational) generative capacity of mechanisms for cyclic
optimization, and
- The realization of these mechanisms in a language processing device.

The PhD students will assist in formalizing cyclicity and cyclic optimization
in a grammar formalism and studying its properties; for example, incorporating
the transformational cycle into a syntactic grammar formalism (e.g. by
extending minimalist grammars with a mechanism of feature inheritance), or
studying the effects of derivational step optimization on syntactic formalisms
(e.g. by extending minimalist grammars with local optimization), or extending
and refining harmonic serialism. They are expected to write a PhD thesis on
(these or) related topics.

Applicants should have an M.A. in Linguistics, Computer Science, or related
fields and have a strong interest in grammar formalisms. Knowledge of German
is not required.

The PhD students are expected to participate in the rotation program of the
Research Unit (RU), which involves two 2-month internships in other projects
of the RU, and the courses offered in the RU training program. The PhD
students will have access to travel money for conferences.

Further information about the project and the RU can be found on the website
https://www.philol.uni-leipzig.de/en/institute-of-linguistics/research/ru-cycl
ic-optimization/. 

Applications should include the following supporting documents:
- Letter of motivation (1-2 pages, in English or German) that clarifies the
research interests of the applicant, in particular detailing how these would
fit in with the research goals of the project
- 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 M.A. 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 Prof. Greg Kobele
(subject line: cyclop phd comasp; email address given below). The
recommendation letters should be emailed directly to this address by the
referees. 
 

Contact Information: 
	Prof Dr Greg Kobele
	gkobele at uni-leipzig.edu  


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