Associate Professor Phonology and phonetics: Cognitive Aspects of Phonological Processing

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Associate Professor Phonology and phonetics: Cognitive Aspects of

Phonological Processing

Faculty/Services: Faculty of Humanities

Educational level: PhD

Function type: Academic Staff

Closing date: 2 April 2023

Vacancy number: 11284

What are you going to do?

Your research focuses on phonology and phonetics against a typological background with a special attention to cognitive aspects of phonological processing. You will study acquisition, perception and processing of phonological features in a diverse population of speakers/signers, thereby contributing to understanding the human's ability for language. You will develop and implement sophisticated research methods in co-operation with the Speech Lab.We have a special interest in scholars working on less familiar languages and who have experience carrying out research in a diverse population, such as people who experience perception-processing difficulties. Your research will be part of the Amsterdam Center for Language and Communication (ACLC), https: // aclc.uva.nl/. The ACLC prioritises diversity (taken in a holistic sense, e.g., ethnicity, social and/or linguistic background, gender, sexuality) and is committed to creating an inclusive research environment. We are seeking a talented researcher and teacher who can communicate well with the different ACLC research groups, develop interdisciplinary projects, and contribute to research-based teaching. The ACLC is one of the five research schools of the Amsterdam Institute for Humanities Research.

You will teach in a dynamic context with ample opportunities for the development of innovative teaching methods. You are committed to the development of a stimulating and collaborative educational atmosphere, thus contributing to teaching and developing courses involving phonology, phonetics, research methods, and other relevant courses that are part of the BA Linguistics, the BSc Cognition, Language & Communication, the MA General Linguistics, the MA Language & Society, the Research MA Linguistics & Communication, or any other relevant programme. These programmes adopt a research intensive and interdisciplinary teaching approach and you are expected to be open to fields that might not be directly related to your research focus (e.g., foreign languages teaching and cultural linguistics, communication science).

Tasks and responsibilities:

We expect you to engage in:

Designing and conducting independent research on phonology, phonetics, typological variation, and human cognition, as well as studies with societal relevance on perception-processing in a diverse set of profiles, resulting in academic publications in peer-reviewed international journals and/or books;

Pursuing external funding for research, notably funding from research councils, national as well as European or international;

Contributing to and developing (inter)national research networks and collaborative research initiatives;

Contributing to the research activities of the Amsterdam Center for Language and Communication (ACLC);

Contributing to the development of the curricula of our Bachelor and Master programmes

Developing, coordinating and teaching courses in our international Bachelor and Master programmes in the areas of phonetics, phonology, language typology, research methodology and statistics

Supervising Bachelor and Master theses and tutoring students; (co)supervising PhD theses;

Taking leadership at the programme, ACLC, departmental or faculty level, as well as taking part in committees and working groups, and carrying out more senior administrative tasks.

What do you have to offer?

You are an enthusiastic and dynamic researcher with a strong experience in (i) the description and study of languages outside the Indo-European family, (ii) the study of cognitive aspects of phonological processing and apparent perception-processing impairments, and the study of dynamics of sound change in multilingual settings. You have a strong publication record showing your expertise in these different domains, a broad knowledge of methodological skills, and the ability to carry out experimental research. Expertise in these fields is necessary to accommodate the needs of our increasingly diverse student population, and create the necessary synergy for the development of innovative research projects. The ACLC and the department are looking for an experienced scholar who can engage in applying for large-scale grants involving collaboration in Europe and beyond.

You are able to develop research and teaching lines within the modules on phonology, phonetics, and methodology, including in the subfields mentioned above. Important is proven flexibility in teaching on topics beyond your own research focus, a willingness to work in interdisciplinary teams of teachers and the ability to offer inspiring lectures and tutorials in the BA, MA and minor programmes that aspire to a wide range of students.

Your experience and profile:

You hold a PhD in linguistics with a clear research focus on phonology, phonetics, and typological variation;

You hold an international academic network in the research area concerned;

Your research output is commensurate with the level of the position;

You are an enthusiastic and ambitious researcher with a strong publication record;

You demonstrate the motivation and ability to obtain external research grants;

You have experience in supervising PhDs and Postdocs;

You have a broad and relevant teaching experience at BA and MA level;

You have experience in coordinating programmes or revising a programme's curriculum;

You have administrative experience in e.g. programme committees, coordination of programmes, or other forms of service to the institution;

You have an excellent command of English and Dutch. If Dutch is not your mother tongue, you are willing to learn Dutch as active and passive command must be acquired within two years of the employment contract and the state examination for Dutch as a Second Language programme II must be passed;

You are familiar with digital and audiovisual teaching methods as well as with IT in university teaching context;

You have experience in knowledge utilization and practice-based education and/or research;

You are a good team player and have no difficulty interacting with colleagues in the context of a multidisciplinary co-operation;

You have very good organisational experience and skills;

You have acquired the Dutch University Teaching Qualification (or equivalent), or are willing to acquire this within the first two years.

What can we offer you?

We offer permanent employment upon a satisfactory evaluation following a temporary employment contract of a maximum of 18 months with a probationary period of two months. If you already have an employment contract with the UvA, we offer permanent employment upon a satisfactory evaluation following a temporary employment contract of a maximum of 12 months. The employment is for 38 hours per week. Preferred starting date is 01 August 2023.

The gross monthly salary, based on 38 hours per week, ranges between € 5.506 (scale 13) to € 7.362 (scale 14) dependent on relevant experience. This sum does not include the 8% holiday allowance and the 8,3% year-end allowance. A favourable tax agreement, the ‘30% ruling', may apply to non-Dutch applicants. The Collective Labour Agreement of Dutch Universities is applicable.

What else do we offer?

excellent possibilities for further professional development and education;

an enthusiastic, inspiring and professional academic team;

the opportunity to collaborate with leading researchers at research institutes that - partly as a result of their interdisciplinary approach - are world renowned.

About us

The University of Amsterdam is the Netherlands' largest university, offering the widest range of academic programmes. At the UvA, 42,000 students, 6,000 staff members and 3,000 PhD candidates study and work in a diverse range of fields, connected by a culture of curiosity.

The Faculty of Humanities provides education and conducts research with a strong international profile in a large number of disciplines in de field of language and culture. Located in the heart of Amsterdam, the faculty maintains close ties with many cultural institutes in the capital city. Research and teaching staff focus on interdisciplinary collaboration and are active in several teaching programmes.

Want to know more about our organisation? Read more about working at the University of Amsterdam.

Any questions?

Do you have any questions or do you require additional information? Please contact:

Judith Rispens , chair of the department of Literature and Linguistics, T: +31 205254737

Job application

If you feel the profile fits you, and you are interested in the job, we look forward to receiving your application. You can apply online via the link below. We will accept applications until 02 April 2023.

Applications (addressed to the dean of the faculty, Prof. M. de Goede), including a letter of motivation, a detailed CV, a list of publications and the names and email addresses of two references who can provide letters of recommendation, should be submitted in one pdf.

Only complete applications received within the response period via the link below will be considered.

The interviews will be held in the course of May 2023. A trial lecture may be part of the application procedure.

The UvA is an equal-opportunity employer. We prioritize diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for everyone. We value a spirit of enquiry and perseverance, provide the space to keep asking questions, and promote a culture of curiosity and creativity.

No agencies please.

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