Postdoctoral fellow

Job description

The job involves formal semantic and pragmatic modeling of Information Structure-related phenomena from a diachronic perspective. Information Structure-related phenomena are to be broadly understood, including but not limited to pragmatic reflexes of syntactic movements, semantics&pragmatics of pronouns, determiners, and quantifiers. The selection of phenomena to be investigated depends on the candidate's background and will be discussed and determined during the hiring interview and at the time of hire.

The Postdoctoral position is offered within the context of the ERC-funded project CAUSALITY (https://research.flw.ugent.be/en/projects/causality). The goal of the project is to investigate causes of language change and conservativity using formal theoretical modeling, artificial agent simulations, and empirical data from historical treebanks of West Germanic languages. The position starts no later than August 2025 and is offered for one year, extendable for one more year following a positive evaluation.

Job profile

• You hold a doctoral degree or a diploma in theoretical or computational linguistics or certificate recognized as equivalent by law or in application of the guidelines of the European Union or a bilateral agreement.
• In exceptional circumstances and based on detailed scientific justification, researchers who do not hold such a degree may also be considered, provided they have demonstrated exceptional scientific merit.
• Exceptional scientific merit is defined as having excelled in scientific research and publications at a level at least equivalent to a doctoral degree.
• The grant can only be awarded within the framework of international scientific mobility. This is the case if:
  • the researcher has resided abroad for at least 24 months out of the 3 years prior to the start date of the postdoctoral fellowship and has not worked or studied in Belgium during that period. However, short-term stays in Belgium are allowed during 24 months, such as holidays, participation in conferences or a short stay to prepare for the period as a postdoctoral researcher
  • the researcher is funded by the Marie- Sklodovska-Curie Action (MSCA) and thus meets the associated mobility conditions.
  • Only for postdoctoral researchers in international mobility
• A strong background in formal semantics/pragmatics as witnessed by publications.
• Experience in statistical analysis of linguistic data.
• Deep Interest in language variation and change.
• Experience using Game Theory to model natural language use is an asset, but not a prerequisite.

What we can offer you

• We offer a full-time position as a postdoctoral fellow, with a minimum period of 12 month which can be extended once following a positive evaluation.
• In deviation the above, an EEA national, who has previously received a postdoctoral grant in the 12 months prior to an MSCA grant, can exceed the maximum term of 36 months under this MSCA grant provided that the entire term does not exceed 48 months.
• Your contract will start on 1 July 2025 at the earliest.
• The grant amount is equal to the net salary of a doctoral assistant (AAP 5) with the same level of education and seniority and based on the same family situation as the doctoral assistant. The supervisor may deviate from this and assign a higher level based on acquired experience, professional career and demonstrated competences. The grant amount will not be revised in the current year except in case of indexation. Click here for more information about our salary scales
• All Ghent University staff members enjoy a number of benefits, such as a wide range of training and education opportunities, 36 days of holiday leave (on an annual basis for a full-time job) supplemented by annual fixed bridge days, bicycle allowance and eco vouchers. Click here for a complete overview of all the staff benefits.

How to apply

Send your CV, copy of your diploma (if already in your possession), PhD transcripts, 2 publications, and a motivation letter to alexandra.simonenko@ugent.be by June 1, 2025.

Candidates should arrange for 2 reference letters to be sent by the referees directly to the contact e-mail address by the application deadline.

We do not accept late applications.

For more information about this vacancy, please contact Prof. Alexandra Simonenko (Alexandra.Simonenko@UGent.be)