[RNLD] PhD/MPhil opportunities, University of Queensland

[Felicity Meakins]

PhD/MPhil Opportunities: The ARC Centre of Excellence for the Dynamics of Language, University of Queensland node

Applications are now being sought for PhD/MPhil positions in the Shape of Language program of the new Centre for Excellence for the Dynamics of Language (CoEDL), funded by the Australian Research Council for the period mid-2014 to mid-2021. CoEDL [http://www.dynamicsoflanguage.edu.au/] is launching an ambitious series of interlinked projects, focusing on language as a dynamic and variable system, and drawing on the full diversity of the world’s languages, through four programs focusing on the design space of language (Shape), how it is learned (Learning) and processed (Processing), and how linguistic structures evolve at various timescales (Evolution). Two ‘threads’ (Archiving, and New Generation technologies) will enable the technological advances needed to drive forward the language sciences in the coming decades. The Centre is strongly interdisciplinary and features researchers from linguistics, speech pathology, psychology, anthropology, philosophy, bioinformatics and robotics. CoEDL is centred on four Australian Universities (Australian National University, University of Melbourne, University of Western Sydney and University of Queensland), with partner institutions in Australasia and the Pacific, Asia, Europe and North America.

The present PhD/MPhil positions will be located at the University of Queensland, and situated within the Shape program. Potential topics include the following:

•       Morpho-syntactic dialectal survey of Kriol

•       Morpho-syntax of language change or contact in a well described Australian language e.g. an Arandic language

•       Alternate registers in Central Australian languages e.g. mother-in-law speech

•       Topics in morpho-syntax/semantics/information structure of an Gurindji, Kaytetye or related languages

•       Topics in or a grammar of a newly emerged language e.g. Kriol, mixed language

•       Grammar of a previously undescribed Australian language

•       Topic suggested by applicant

Each PhD/MPhil position will undertake substantial fieldwork in the relevant speech community or extensive work on an existing body of material of an Arandic or Ngumpin-Yapa language. PhD/MPhil applicants will need to successfully apply for an Australian Postgraduate Award (or other suitable scholarship e.g. UQ Research Scholarship), but will receive generous fieldwork funding, conference travel funds, and substantial training and development opportunities within the newly ARC Centre of Excellence for the Dynamics of Language (http://dynamicsoflanguage.edu.au/).

PhD/MPhil students will be supervised by Felicity Meakins and/or Myfany Turpin and/or another suitable member of the School of Languages and Comparative Cultural Studies, as well as researchers across the other CoEDL nodes (ANU, UWS, UQ).

Interested applicants should contact Felicity Meakins (f.meakins at uq.edu.au<mailto:racheln at unimelb.edu.au>) or Myfany Turpin (m.turpin at uq.edu.au<mailto:racheln at unimelb.edu.au>) for further details, and provide the following:

1. CV with educational qualifications, any publications and other relevant experience (e.g. fieldwork, relevant internships)
2. Transcript of prior undergraduate and/or postgraduate degrees (must have at least 80% average to be competitive)
3. Two-page statement setting out your preferred topic, potential field site, what skills and personal attributes you will bring to the project, and what you see as the most interesting and challenging issues you will address
4. If available, other materials supporting your case (e.g. relevant articles or other materials)

Deadline: 15th September 2014

Approved applicants will then make a formal application for enrolment and scholarship through the regular University of Queensland system, by 17 October 2014: http://www.uq.edu.au/grad-school/scholarships-and-fees

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