Graduate support: Assistantanship in indigenous language (Necaxa Totonac) acquisition, University of Alberta -- DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS 31 MAY

[Scott McGinnis]

PHD Student Assistantship in the Acquisition of an Indigenous Language

The Department of Linguistics at the University of Alberta is inviting
applications for a PhD student assistantship position, beginning
September 2002, on a field project documenting children's acquisition
of an endangered Mexican indigenous language, Upper Necaxa Totonac.
The student will have the opportunity to work in an indigenous
community in Mexico, as part of a larger research project on this
language (http://www.ualberta.ca/~dbeck/UNTProj.html).

This assistantship is designed to provide talented PhD student
applicants with stable funding for the duration of their studies and
to facilitate their involvement as junior colleagues in the academic
life of the Department. Students will have the opportunity to present
the results of individual research at conferences and, where
appropriate, will be encouraged to publish their results in
professional venues.

The assistantship will be at the rate of $11,000 CDN per academic year
(September to April).  There will also be a possibilty of additional
funding for the months of May to August. Candidates will be required
to meet the entrance requirements for the Ph.D. programme in
linguistics and will be assessed the normal PhD tuition fees which are
currently $3,200 CDN per academic year for Canadian students and
$5,900 CDN for non-Canadian students.

The student must be a competent speaker of Spanish.  Preference will
be given to applicants with a strong background in linguistics,
preferably at the graduate level.  Experience working with young
children either in an experimental, educational, or clinical context
would be an asset.  Experience using the the CHILDES database,
transcription and coding systems would also be an asset.

The deadline for application for this assistantship is May 31, 2002.
Taking up this position is contingent upon admission to the PhD
Programme in Linguistics; applicants should meet Departmental
requirements for applications, as outlined on the UofA Linguistics
Website at http://www.arts.ualberta.ca/~linguist/graduate.htm.

The application package should include: a) a letter that summarizes
past experience and outlines the candidate's research interests and
proposed area of study, b) unofficial university transcripts, c) an
academic writing sample (a recent paper, thesis chapter, or article),
and d) the names and email addresses of three referees.

Applications should be sent to:

       Johanne Paradis
       Department of Linguistics
       University of Alberta
       Edmonton, AB, T6G 2E7
       Canada
       phone: 780-492-0805
       fax: 780-492-0806
       email: johanne.paradis at ualberta.ca

                   Final Date of Application: May 31, 2002