35.1755, Jobs: Cognitive Science, Computational Linguistics, Historical Linguistics, Morphology, Phonology: Postdoc in Computational Cogsci, Evolution & Phonology-Morphology, University of Surrey

[The LINGUIST List]

LINGUIST List: Vol-35-1755. Wed Jun 12 2024. ISSN: 1069 - 4875.

Subject: 35.1755, Jobs: Cognitive Science, Computational Linguistics, Historical Linguistics, Morphology, Phonology: Postdoc in Computational Cogsci, Evolution & Phonology-Morphology, University of Surrey

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Date: 12-Jun-2024
From: Erich Round [e.round at surrey.ac.uk]
Subject: Cognitive Science, Computational Linguistics, Historical Linguistics, Morphology, Phonology: Postdoc in Computational Cogsci, Evolution & Phonology-Morphology, University of Surrey


University or Organization: University of Surrey
Department: Surrey Morphology Group
Job Location: Surrey, United Kingdom
Web Address: https://www.smg.surrey.ac.uk/
Job Title: Postdoc in Computational Cogsci, Evolution &
Phonology-Morphology
Job Rank: Post Doc

Specialty Areas: Cognitive Science; Computational Linguistics;
Historical Linguistics; Morphology; Phonology

Description:

Postdoctoral position on "Rational Evolutionary Phonology"

Prof Erich Round is seeking qualified applicants for a fully-funded
three-year postdoctoral project on “REVOLUPHON: Rational Evolutionary
Phonology". This postdoctoral project contributes the core cognitive
and cultural evolutionary modelling components in the ERC-selected,
UKRI-funded project "Rational Evolutionary Phonology", 2024–2029.

The position is based at the Surrey Morphology Group at the University
of Surrey, and provides the opportunity to work in the vibrant and
highly collegial research environment for which SMG is renowned.

Start date: August 5, 2024 or shortly thereafter.

Background

REVOLUPHON is an ambitious project in computational cognitive science,
cultural evolution and phonology theory, which seeks deeper
explanations for human phonology. Though phonological theories are
diverse, they contain recurrent axioms and atoms: segments, features,
prosodic units, et cetera. We hypothesise that these units of
representation are explicable in terms of the interaction of phonetics
with resource limitations on human cognition (resource rationality).
Separately, recent decades show that phonologies can be reasonably
well modelled as optimisation problems, with optimisation imputed to
the mind. We hypothesise that apparent optimisation, and its
exceptions, arise because phonologies undergo cultural evolution, an
optimising process. REVOLUPHON tests these hypotheses through
computational modelling of cognition and cultural evolution, to
develop new foundations for phonological theory.

Responsibilities

The candidate will be a core member of a research team focused on
achieving the REVOLUPHON project aims, and will participate in the
broader activities both of the REVOLUPHON group and of the Surrey
Morphology Group (SMG). The candidate will have opportunities at SMG
to develop their research leadership profile while interacting with
world-class researchers.

Key responsibilities:
 - Research and develop computational models to meet project
objectives in phonological cultural evolution.
 - Contribute expertly to the formal operationalisation of project
objectives in the computational modelling of phonological cognition
and cultural evolution.
 - Contribute to the design and development of linguistically
sophisticated synthetic datasets.
 - Analyse and scientifically interpret research results; present
outcomes at scientific conferences; and prepare co-authored research
publications.
 - Collaborate with other team members in an ambitious and
multidisciplinary project, and participate in the vibrant, collegial
activities of SMG.

Requirements

Suitable candidates trained in phonology/morphology, conversant with
computational cognitive science and skilled in research software
development are strongly encouraged to apply.

Essential criteria:
 - A PhD in linguistics, with a focus on at least one of phonology,
morphology and computational/statistical historical linguistics
 - Minimum 2 years’ experience as a postdoctoral researcher
 - Experience in software development
 - Track record of published research within a formal computational
approach to phonology
 - Track record of published research within a cultural-evolutionary
approach to language change
 - Experience with Bayesian modelling in computational cognitive
science
 - Track record of both independent and team-based research
 - Excellent written and spoken English

Desirable criteria:
 - Demonstrated programming ability in functional, object-oriented and
logic-based languages
 - Expertise in the theory of programming languages
 - Expertise in probabilistic programming, program inference,
numerical programming, high-performance computing
 - Track record of published research on phonological learning
 - Track record of published research within a word-and-paradigm
approach to morphology
 - Experience in scientific software development

Apply using the link below.

Application Deadline: 25-Jun-2024
Mailing Address for Applications:
Web Address for Applications: http://jobs.surrey.ac.uk/027524
Contact Information:
        Prof Erich Round
        Email: e.round at surrey.ac.uk



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