JOB: Discourse-based approaches to functional explanation for grammar

[Carol Genetti]

APOLOGIES FOR CROSS-POSTING

The Linguistics Department of the University of California, Santa Barbara 
seeks to hire a specialist in discourse-based approaches to functional 
explanation for grammar. The appointment will be tenure-track at the 
Assistant Professor level, effective July 1, 2012.

Candidates' research should be based on a functionally oriented, 
empirically grounded approach to discourse and grammar, addressing the ways 
that language use shapes linguistic structure, and making significant 
theoretical contributions to the question of why languages are as they are. 
Candidates will be preferred whose research addresses the multidimensional 
nature of functional explanation, integrating insights from among the 
following areas: cross-linguistic and typological approaches to functional 
explanation for grammar; semantic and pragmatic motivations for grammar; 
historical change, evolution, and grammaticization; interactional functions 
and sociolinguistic variation of grammar; cognitive processing of grammar; 
use of innovative methodologies, such as current techniques for 
corpus-based quantitative and qualitative analysis; work with understudied 
language(s).

We are especially interested in candidates who show the ability to link the 
theoretical implications of their research to other subdisciplines in 
linguistics and to related fields, and to interact with colleagues and 
students across disciplinary boundaries at UCSB. Candidates must have 
demonstrated excellence in teaching, and will be expected to teach a range 
of graduate and undergraduate courses in both functional grammar and 
general linguistics.

Ph.D. in linguistics or a related field is required. Ph.D. normally 
required by the time of appointment. To ensure full consideration, all 
application materials, including letters of reference, should be received 
by November 1, 2011. The position will remain open until filled. Applicants 
should submit the following to search at linguistics.ucsb.edu in a standard 
electronic format (preferably pdf or rtf): letter of application, statement 
of research interests, curriculum vitae, and 2 writing samples. Applicants 
should request 3 academic letters of reference to be sent directly to 
search at linguistics.ucsb.edu by the November 1 deadline. Applicants should 
also complete the supplemental online data form at 
http://www.linguistics.ucsb.edu/search/coversheet.html. Fax and mail 
applications not accepted. Inquiries may be addressed to the Search 
Committee at search at linguistics.ucsb.edu. Interviews will be conducted 
either via Skype video conference call or in person at the Linguistic 
Society of America annual meeting (January 5-8, 2012); either interview 
format will be considered equivalent for consideration.

Our department has a genuine commitment to diversity, and is especially 
interested in candidates who can contribute to the diversity and excellence 
of the academic community through research, teaching and service. UCSB is 
an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer.