positions in Amsterdam

[Brian MacWhinney]

Two PhD positions (full time)

Research direction
The Amsterdam Centre for Language and Communication focuses on the
description and explanations for variation in languages and language
use. Despite their enormous variety, languages show a remarkable degree
of similarity, which can be described in terms of a set of language
universals. A key feature of the ACLC approach is that these universals
are studied from the widest possible variety of perspectives, both
descriptive and theoretical, in order to ensure that the findings are
not accidental, but are truly representative of the basic parameters
that govern the organization of natural languages. The ACLC includes
both functional and formal approaches to language description and
encourages dialogue between these approaches. Studies cover all aspects
of speech and languages: phonetics, phonology, morphology, syntax,
semantics and pragmatics - in a search for the Language Blueprint.
Language typology, including that of creole and signed languages, plays
an important part in the ACLC programme. Language variation in terms of
time, space and context is also a specialisation. The study of
variation in the different types of language user - from the child
learning her first language to the adult second language learner
including also different types of language pathology - is a clear
focus.

Types of application
There are two types of application:
1.	for one of seven selected PhD projects listed below
2.	for a project that you propose yourself under the condition that
this can be embedded into The Language Blueprint

Tasks
The PhD student needs to carry out the research within three years and
needs to write a dissertation.

Requirements
MA in linguistics (or equivalent), obtained no longer than five years
ago.

Appointment
The PhD student will be appointed as a 'promovendus' for a period of
three years (full time) at the Faculty of Humanities of the University
of Amsterdam under the terms of employment currently valid for the
Faculty. A contract will be given in the first instance for one year,
with an extension for the following two years on the basis of an
evaluation of, amongst other things, a written piece of work.
The salary will be in accordance with the university regulations for
academic personnel, and will range from EUR 2.179 (first year) up to a
maximum of EUR 2,394 (final year) gross per month


Job application
The following documents, which can be found on the ACLC website
(www.hum.uva.nl/aclc) give precise information about the application
procedure:
1.	Guidelines for applying for a PhD position
2.	The selected PhD projects (type 1), see list below; the full text of
the project descriptions can be found on the ACLC website; for
information on a particular project please contact the person(s)
mentioned in the project description
3.	Guidelines for an external PhD proposal (type 2)


Candidates who do not want to be formally appointed as a PhD student
can find the necessary information in the Guidelines for applying for a
PhD position.

NB Incomplete applications will be automatically rejected so please
read the guidelines carefully.

Applications should be sent before April 18th, 2005 to the director of
the ACLC, prof. dr A.E. Baker, Spuistraat 210, 1012 VT Amsterdam.
Applications received after this date or those that are incomplete will
not be taken into consideration.

Information
Further information can be obtained from the managing director of the
research institute dr. Els Verheugd, phone +31.20.525.2543, e-mail:
E.A.B.M.Verheugd-Daatzelaar at uva.nl or on the website of the Amsterdam
Center for Language and Communication (ACLC).


List of selected projects
1.	Phonology and its relationship to the lexicon in the first and
second language acquisition of a signed language. Supervisors: prof. dr
Anne Baker, dr Roland Pfau, dr Beppie van den Bogaerde. Promotor: prof.
dr Anne Baker.
2.	Design features and sequencing of L2 tasks. Supervisors: prof. dr
Folkert Kuiken, dr Ineke Vedder. Promotor: prof. dr Folkert Kuiken.
3.	Accessibility of semantic networks of Dutch L1 and L2
children.Supervisors: dr Rob Schoonen, prof. dr Jan Hulstijn..
Promotor: prof. dr Jan Hulstijn.
4.	The determiner phrase in sign language: functional layering and
semantic interpretation..Supervisors: prof. dr Anne Baker, dr Roland
Pfau. Promotor: prof. dr Anne Baker.
5.	Epistemic modal particles in Latin (and Ancient Greek). Supervisors:
dr Rodie Risselada, prof. dr. Harm Pinkster. Promotor: prof. dr Harm
Pinkster.
6.	The morpho-syntax of Proto-Caribbean English Plantation Pidgin.
Supervisors: dr Norval Smith, prof.dr. Olga Fischer. Promotor: prof. dr
Olga Fischer.
7.	The acquisition of derivational morphology in Dutch. Supervisors: dr
Jan Don, prof. dr Fred Weerman. Promotor: prof. dr Fred Weerman.