37.816, Jobs: Computational Linguistics, Language Acquisition, Neurolinguistics, Phonology, Syntax: Postdoctoral Research Fellow, University of Michigan

[The LINGUIST List]

LINGUIST List: Vol-37-816. Fri Feb 27 2026. ISSN: 1069 - 4875.

Subject: 37.816, Jobs: Computational Linguistics, Language Acquisition, Neurolinguistics, Phonology, Syntax: Postdoctoral Research Fellow, University of Michigan

Moderator: Steven Moran (linguist at linguistlist.org)
Managing Editor: Valeriia Vyshnevetska
Team: Helen Aristar-Dry, Mara Baccaro, 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: 26-Feb-2026
From: Huteng Dai [huteng at umich.edu]
Subject: Computational Linguistics, Language Acquisition, Neurolinguistics, Phonology, Syntax: Postdoctoral Research Fellow, University of Michigan


Job Location: MI, USA
Web Address: https://lsa.umich.edu/linguistics
Job Title: Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Job Rank: Post Doc
Salary: $62,232.00

Minimum Education: PhD

Specialty Areas: Computational Linguistics; Language Acquisition;
Neurolinguistics; Phonology; Syntax

Description:
The Department of Linguistics at the University of Michigan invites
applications for a one-year Postdoctoral Research Fellow, with the
possibility of renewal for a second year, to work with Dr. Huteng Dai
on computational modeling of language acquisition. The postdoc will
play a central role in developing publishable research that connects
formal inductive biases, modern language modeling, and human language
acquisition.
We are especially interested in candidates who are excited to build
and analyze language models that go beyond standard scaling
approaches, including work such as:
- Inductive bias and learnability, especially structural biases rooted
in formal language theory
- Computational models of language acquisition, especially building
models for phonological and syntactic learning
- Mechanistic interpretability and controlled evaluation of language
models
- Model human alignment, relating model behavior to behavioral (and
potentially neural data) data
The overarching goal is to produce rigorous, high-impact work that
treats language models as scientific objects.
Responsibilities:
The postdoctoral fellow will contribute across the full research
cycle. Key responsibilities include:
- Designing and training novel or modified language models
- Building evaluation pipelines for acquisition-oriented questions
- Conducting interpretability analyses
- Co-authoring papers for high-impact refereed publications
- Mentoring and coordinating graduate and undergraduate researchers in
the lab
- Participating in regular lab meetings
Teaching: The postdoc may contribute to the departments course
offerings. Teaching load may be up to two courses a year. Course
assignment will be determined in consultation with the department and
aligned with the fellows expertise and interests.
Required Qualifications:
- Ph.D. in Linguistics, Computer Science, Cognitive Science, or a
related field by the start date
- Strong background in computational linguistics or deep learning
- Demonstrated interest in at least one of: language
learning/acquisition, interpretability/mechanistic analysis,
human-like modeling, or formal language theory
- Excellent programming and data analysis skills (Python required;
familiarity with PyTorch and Hugging Face strongly preferred)
- Strong communication and collaboration skills, with evidence of
research productivity
Desired Qualifications:
- Experience with or interest in phonology, syntax, or language
acquisition
- Familiarity with formal language theory or cognitive modeling
- Experience working with human behavioral data or an interest in
doing so
- Interest in interdisciplinary research bridging linguistics and
machine learning
How to Apply
Applicants should submit the following as a single PDF through the
University of Michigan job portal:
1.    Cover letter describing qualifications, research interests, and
fit
2.    A CV
3.    A research statement (up to 3 pages)
4.    Up to three representative publications or manuscripts
5.    Names and contact information for three recommenders

Application Deadline: 30-Mar-2026
Mailing Address for Applications:
        Room 7351, 105 S State St, Ann Arbor, MI
        USA
Email Address for Applications: Ling.CAP.Lab at umich.edu
Web Address for Applications:
https://careers.umich.edu/job_detail/274470/postdoctoral-research-fellow-computational-linguistics-and-language-acquisition
Contact Information:
        Huteng Dai
        Email: Ling.CAP.Lab at umich.edu
        Phone: 8052599956



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

********************** 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:

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

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

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

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

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-37-816
----------------------------------------------------------