37.2730, Support: Syntax: PhD, University of Konstanz

Tue Aug 25 08:05:02 UTC 2026

LINGUIST List: Vol-37-2730. Tue Aug 25 2026. ISSN: 1069 - 4875.

Subject: 37.2730, Support: Syntax: PhD, University of Konstanz

Moderator: Steven Moran (linguist at linguistlist.org)
Managing Editor: Valeriia Vyshnevetska
Team: Helen Aristar-Dry, Daniel Swanson
Jobs: jobs at linguistlist.org | Conferences: callconf at linguistlist.org | Pubs: pubs at linguistlist.org

Homepage: http://linguistlist.org

Editor for this issue: Valeriia Vyshnevetska <valeriia at linguistlist.org>

================================================================

Date: 21-Aug-2026
From: Luise Schwarzer [luise.schwarzer at uni-konstanz.de]
Subject: Syntax: PhD, University of Konstanz

Institution/Organization: University of Konstanz

Level: PhD

Duties: Research, Project Work

Specialty Areas: Syntax

Description:

Doctoral Researcher (m/f/d) in Syntax
University of Konstanz (TV-L E13, 65%, until December 2029)
The newly established Collaborative Research Centre SFB 1760 “Silence,
Noise and Signal in Language” at the University of Konstanz
investigates the role of silence and noise in our capacity for
perceiving, learning, and producing linguistic signals. The SFB brings
together theoretical, experimental, computational, and empirical
research in linguistics with projects from computer science,
computational social science, media studies, and sociology. More
information about the SFB and its scientific aims is available at:
https://www.sfb1760.uni-konstanz.de/about-us/scientific-aim/
Within the SFB, project A06 “Interactions of ellipsis and
wh-dependencies” is seeking to fill a doctoral researcher position
(TV-L E13, 65%), starting October 1, 2026 and funded until the end of
2029. The doctoral researcher will pursue a dissertation within the
framework of the project under the supervision of Dr. Luise Schwarzer.
Project A06 investigates how wh-dependencies can interact with
predicate ellipsis. Verbal predicate ellipses can block some, but not
all wh-dependencies. This pattern has been used as an argument for a
particular model of syntax, even though the underlying data is not
unequivocal. It is still unclear (i) what the syntactic and semantic
conditions are that make ellipsis possible, (ii) how many different
types of ellipsis there are in syntax, and (iii) what conclusions we
can draw from the interaction of ellipsis with other syntactic
processes about the structure of the grammar. Project A06 focuses on
modal complement ellipsis and investigates syntactic and semantic
conditions that block or ameliorate wh-extraction out of predicate
ellipsis sites. The aim of A06 is the development of improved models
of syntactic theory on the basis of experimental methods. More
information about project A06 is available at:
https://www.sfb1760.uni-konstanz.de/research-projects/project-group-a/a06-schwarzer-interactions-of-ellipsis-and-wh-dependencies
The doctoral researcher will develop and test hypotheses related to
these questions through experimental studies and will contribute to
the theoretical development of the project.
Candidates should hold an M.A. degree (or equivalent) in linguistics
and have a strong background and research interest in syntax and/or
semantics. An interest in experimental approaches to syntax is
desired. Candidates should have a very good command of English. Native
knowledge of a Germanic or a Romance language is desirable. Excellent
organizational and interpersonal skills are expected. Knowledge of
statistics and experience with acceptability judgment experiments are
an advantage.
The position offers the opportunity to pursue a PhD within the
interdisciplinary research environment of SFB 1760 “Silence, Noise and
Signal in Language” at the University of Konstanz and to collaborate
with researchers at doctoral, postdoctoral, and professorial levels.
The University of Konstanz also provides extensive career development
and equal-opportunity support.
The salary follows the German public-sector collective agreement TV-L,
pay grade E13 (65%), which can comfortably support living in Konstanz.
The position is available from October 1, 2026 (but will remain open
until filled) until the end of 2029.
The University of Konstanz is committed to ensuring an environment
that provides equal opportunities and promotes diversity as well as a
good balance between university and family life. As an equal
opportunity employer, the University strives to increase the number of
women working in research and teaching. It also supports working
couples through its dual career program. Persons with disabilities are
explicitly encouraged to apply and will be given preference if
appropriately qualified.

Application Deadline: 15-Sep-2026
Application Instructions:
Applications should include
(i) a short motivation letter (1-2 pages),
(ii) an academic CV,
(iii) copies of all previous degrees, including detailed transcripts
of records, and
(iv) the names and email addresses of two academic referees to be
contacted at a later time.

Email Address for Applications: luise.schwarzer at uni-konstanz.de

Contact Information:
Luise Schwarzer
Contact Email: luise.schwarzer at uni-konstanz.de

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

********************** LINGUIST List Support ***********************
Please consider donating to the Linguist List, a U.S. 501(c)(3) not for profit organization:

https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=87C2AXTVC4PP8

LINGUIST List is supported by the following publishers:

Australian Linguistics Society https://als.asn.au/Home

Bloomsbury Publishing http://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/

Cambridge University Press http://www.cambridge.org/linguistics

Cascadilla Press http://www.cascadilla.com/

De Gruyter Brill https://www.degruyterbrill.com/?changeLang=en

Edinburgh University Press http://www.edinburghuniversitypress.com

European Language Resources Association (ELRA) http://www.elra.info

John Benjamins http://www.benjamins.com/

Language Science Press http://langsci-press.org

Lincom GmbH https://lincom-shop.eu/

MDPI Languages https://www.mdpi.com/journal/languages

MIT Press http://mitpress.mit.edu/

Multilingual Matters http://www.multilingual-matters.com/

Narr Francke Attempto Verlag GmbH + Co. KG http://www.narr.de/

Netherlands Graduate School of Linguistics / Landelijke (LOT) http://www.lotpublications.nl/

Peter Lang AG http://www.peterlang.com

SIL International Publications http://www.sil.org/resources/publications

----------------------------------------------------------
LINGUIST List: Vol-37-2730
----------------------------------------------------------