Job opening: postdoc in Zurich

[Balthasar Bickel]

The newly-established University Research Priority Program (URPP) on Language and Space at the University of Zurich invites applications for the position of a

	Postdoctoral Research Fellow (75% FTE)

The URPP explores the interface between language and space with regard to (a) the distribution of languages and linguistic structures in geographical and social space (“language areas”); and (b) the embedding of speech in the spatial environment as shaped by perception, motion and action (“interactional spaces”). The URPP combines insights from dialectology, typology and interactional linguistics.

The postdoctoral research fellow will develop his or her own profile and research agenda in coordination with the URPP board and the members of the URPP within one of the above mentioned interface dimensions between language and space (“language areas” or “interactional spaces“), for example with respect to issues of language contact and the areal distribution of linguistic features, regarding sociolinguistic aspects of the liaison between linguistic diversification and region or concerning the matter of multi-modality of face-to-face interaction. The postdoctoral research fellow is also expected to participate in applications for third-party funding, to be active in the advancement of the core areas of research within the URPP and to collaborate with the linguistic labs (CorpusLab, GISLab and VideoLab), in which cutting-edge technology is employed to collect, process and analyze linguistic data. The position includes teaching responsibilities (a maximum of 2h/week).

Applicants must have a PhD in linguistics as well as publications in their field of specialization. Independent research experience in one of the core areas of the URPP is expected. Applicants aim to develop a research career in the field of language and space studies, are expected to be experienced in empirical methods of linguistic research (collection and analysis of linguistic data) and to be interested in the interdisciplinary advancement of theories in the area of language and space. The candidate is also expected to have a keen interest to collaborate with linguists of very diverse backgrounds (e.g. dialectology, areal typology, interactional linguistics, computational linguistics, general linguistics, Romance studies, German studies, Slavic studies, English studies, Sinology). Apart from English, applicants must have a good command of German or be ready to acquire this during the first six months after taking up the position.

Applications should include a letter of motivation, an outline of research projects they would propose, a CV including a list of publications, a copy of their PhD certificate, and the names and addresses of two references. Applications should be sent as a single PDF file to beatrice.fleiner at ds.uzh.ch, with the subject “Bewerbung_Application PostDoc”.

Applications must be submitted by June 30, 2013. The position is available from September 1, 2013, but might be filled later. The position is initially limited until December 31, 2016, but an extension is possible.

For further information, please contact Dr. Agnes Kolmer <agnes.kolmer at uzh.ch>, phone +41 44 634 57 47.