[RNLD] PhD Opportunities and Support: CoEDL, University of Melbourne

[Rachel Nordlinger]

PhD Opportunities and Support: The ARC Centre of Excellence for the Dynamics of Language, University of Melbourne node



Applications are now being sought for PhD positions in the Shape of Language program of the ARC Centre for Excellence for the Dynamics of Language (CoEDL) (http://www.dynamicsoflanguage.edu.au<http://www.dynamicsoflanguage.edu.au/>). The present PhD positions will be located at the University of Melbourne, and situated within the Shape program (working with Rachel Nordlinger and Nick Thieberger).


We are interested in applications from students wishing to work on topics relating to Australia’s Indigenous languages or languages of Vanuatu. Potential topics include the following:

  *   Description and documentation of a traditional indigenous language of Australia (possibilities include, but are not limited to Djinang, Ritharrngu, Arrernte, languages of the Daly River region, languages of the Western Desert region)
  *   Description and documentation of new Australian varieties, including Kriol
  *   Multigenerational documentation of an Australian language (e.g. Murrinh-Patha, Arrernte, Yolngu), which focuses not so much on a static description of the traditional language, but aspects of language use across generations, preferably as part of a team of researchers all working within the same language community.
  *   Description and documentation of undescribed languages of Vanuatu

Other topics that tie in with the Shape of Language research program are also possible, through negotiation with Assoc. Prof. Rachel Nordlinger, or Dr. Nick Thieberger.

Each PhD position will undertake substantial fieldwork in the relevant speech community. A limited number of scholarships are available for particularly strong candidates, other PhD applicants will need to successfully apply for an Australian Postgraduate Award (or other suitable scholarship). All accepted students will receive generous fieldwork funding, conference travel funds, and substantial training and development opportunities within the ARC Centre of Excellence for the Dynamics of Language.


The School of Languages and Linguistics at the University of Melbourne hosts one of the leading linguistics programs in Australia and is home to the Research Unit for Indigenous Language (http://indiglang.arts.unimelb.edu.au<http://indiglang.arts.unimelb.edu.au/>/) which specialises in the description and documentation of languages of Australia and its region. PhD students will be supervised by Assoc. Prof. Rachel Nordlinger and/or Dr. Nick Thieberger and work closely with the team of researchers associated with the Research Unit of Indigenous language, as well as the larger team of researchers associated with ARC Centre of Excellence for the Dynamics of Language.


CoEDL (http://www.dynamicsoflanguage.edu.au/) has 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). 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.

Interested applicants should contact Rachel Nordlinger (racheln at unimelb.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 the equivalent of University of Melbourne 80% average to be competitive)
  3.  a 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 August 2015

Approved applicants will then make a formal application for enrolment and scholarship through the regular University of Melbourne system. The deadlines are August 31st for international students, and October 31st for Australian students.


General information about the doctoral program in the School of Languages and Linguistics at the University of Melbourne is available at: https://handbook.unimelb.edu.au/view/current/101AA

--
A/Prof Rachel Nordlinger
Associate Professor and Reader
Research Unit for Indigenous Language
ARC Centre of Excellence for the Dynamics of Language
School of Languages and Linguistics
University of Melbourne
VIC 3010, Australia
http://languages-linguistics.unimelb.edu.au/academic-staff/rachel-nordlinger

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