[Lingtyp] Postdoc in historical syntax at U Zurich

[Balthasar Bickel]

The Department of Comparative Linguistics at University of Zurich is seeking to fill a part-time (65%) post-doctoral position in the area of historical syntax. 

The successful candidate will plan and carry out empirical and theoretical research in cooperation with Profs. Balthasar Bickel and Paul Widmer and is expected to participate in ongoing research on the diachrony of complexity in noun phrases and related constructions (including compounds). The position includes teaching obligations of 2h per week, a BA course on introductory syntax in the spring semester and an MA course on a research topic in historical linguistics in the fall.

Candidates should have a doctoral degree in linguistics and substantial philological expertise in at least one branch of Indo-European, preferably Indo-Iranian, as well as a solid background in, and an interest for, historical and areal linguistics, linguistic typology, and syntactic theory. Knowledge of quantitative methods as well as work experience and teaching experience are an advantage. She/he is creative and cooperative, and is expected to engage in developing grant proposals.

We offer this position for an initial period of two years, at 65% FTE. A larger percentage and/or an extension of up to a total of 6 years is possible, depending on the budgetary situation. The position should be filled by no later than September 1, 2015.

Applications are expected to reach us by June 14, and include a CV, a copy of the doctoral thesis, and a list of publications. Please send  the documents in PDF format to balthasar.bickel at uzh.ch and to paul.widmer at uzh.ch, both of which may be contacted for further information.