[Corpora-List] Open Graduate Research Assistantship (MA/Ph.D)

[Antti Arppe]

The Department of Linguistics at the University of Alberta is offering a 
graduate student position at either the MSc (2 years) or PhD (4 years) level in 
its graduate program, beginning in September 2015 within the research project 
21st Century Tools for Indigenous Languages funded by a SSHRC Partnership 
Development Grant.

Currently, we are developing a prototype computational model of the morphology 
and lexis of Plains Cree, which can be used to create software applications such 
as a spell-checker, an intelligent electronic dictionary, language learning and 
practice tools, a word form analyzer, a word form generator, and a word paradigm 
generator, in order to facilitate the use of Plains Cree in all spheres of life 
by community members.

This project is associated with several laboratories within the Department of 
Linguistics and is led by:
* Dr. Antti Arppe (Alberta Language Technology Laboratory: ALTLAB)
* Dr. Jordan Lachler (Canadian Indigenous Languages and Literacy Development 
Institute: CILLDI)
* Dr. Juhani Järvikivi (Centre for Comparative Psycholinguistics: CCP), and
* Dr. Timothy Mills (ALTLab, Alberta Phonetics Laboratory: APhL).

Successful applicants for this position will be required to meet the entrance 
standards for admission to our graduate program.

Alongside studies in the Department’s graduate program, the graduate student 
will participate in developing:

* a computational model of the morphology for Plains Cree (and/or another 
indigenous language in North America) and subsequent computer-aided writing, 
reading, and language learning applications; and/or
* text-to-speech synthesis, aiming at supporting the retention and 
revitalization of these languages; and
* evaluation measures for either type of applications.

The position necessarily requires:

* a keen interest in North American Indigenous languages; and
* meeting the general entrance requirements to the Department’s graduate program 
<http://www.linguistics.ualberta.ca/Graduate/Admissions.aspx>

We will prefer candidates with:

* experience in and knowledge of the phonology and/or morphosyntax of indigenous 
languages (in particular Plains Cree and other Algonquian or North American 
indigenous languages); and/or
* experience in computational linguistics and natural language processing (e.g. 
finite-state transducers, speech technology); and/or
* interest or experience in the evaluation of text-to-speech systems and/or 
experimental study of language.

We offer:

* an opportunity to personally contribute to the practical retention of 
linguistic diversity
* opportunities for well-rounded, comprehensive training in empirical research 
methods in field linguistics, psycholinguistics and corpus linguistics as well 
as in language technology;
* a chance to participate in a international research project involving 
collaboration with leading research centers un the development of language 
technology and research on indigeneous languages (Giellatekno Institute, 
University of Tromsø (http://giellatekno.uit.no/english.html).

To apply, send by email to Dr. Antti Arppe (arppe at ualberta.ca):

* a brief statement of research interests and relevant background;
* curriculum vitae (including possible publications and presentations);
* transcripts of university studies; and
* at least two confidential academic letters of reference delivered directly to 
Dr. Arppe by the referees.

We will start considering applications in December 2014. The position is open 
until filled, but we urge applications to be submitted by Friday Jan 2, 2015, in 
order to meet the Linguistics departmental deadline on Friday, Jan 9, 2015, to 
receive full consideration.

For further information, please consult the project website 
(http://altlab.artsrn.ualberta.ca/) and contact Dr. Antti Arppe (arppe at ualberta.ca).

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