Assistant Professor in (Neuro) Linguistics
University of Amsterdam Faculty of Humanities
Netherlands

The Faculty of Humanities provides education and conducts research with a strong international profile in a large number of disciplines in the 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.

The Faculty of Humanities offers assistant professors the opportunity to collaborate with leading researchers at research institutes that - partly as a result of their interdisciplinary approach - are world-renowned. Moreover, you will be teaching in a dynamic context in which new teaching methods are being developed.

The Department of Literature and Linguistics, in collaboration with the Department of Modern Foreign Languages and Cultures, is looking for an Assistant professor in (neuro)linguistics with focus on multilingualism. The position will be based in the Linguistics section of the Department of Literary Studies and Linguistics.

The research of the successful candidate will be embedded within one of the research themes of the Amsterdam Center for Language and Communication (ACLC). The ACLC is one of the five research schools within the Amsterdam Institute for Humanities Research.  In an effort to strengthen the link between fundamental and experimental research on the one hand,  and teaching on the other, we are seeking a talented researcher to complement current strengths in (neuro)linguistics within the ACLC and the teaching programmes related to two departments: the Linguistics Section of the Department of Literary Studies & Linguistics and the English Section of the Department of Modern Foreign Languages and Cultures.

The ACLC hosts internationally-leading research across a variety of disciplines in the study of spoken and signed languages, and their use in communication whether visual or multimodal. It includes researchers from different theoretical persuasion with diverse nationalities and cultural backgrounds. The ACLC adopts an inclusive perspective: it integrates different research methods, thus providing the ground for interdisciplinary research. ACLC research is organized within research groups which focus on specific sub-themes. The successful candidate can join existing research groups or create her/his own.

Job description

The successful candidate will be a member of the ACLC and is expected to initiate inter-group collaborative research and grant applications which are necessary for recruiting talented junior researchers (e.g., PhDs, Postdocs). Further collaborations with the Institute for Logic, Language and Computation (ILLC), and the Amsterdam Brain and Cognition (ABC) are also expected.

With regard to teaching, the successful candidate will  improve, and when necessary, develop (new) research-related courses that fit in the teaching of BA and MA programmes related to English Linguistics and to General Linguistics, and possibly to other language and cognition programmes, such as the Bachelor Cognition, Language and Communication, or the Research Master Brain & Cognitive Sciences.

Tasks:

• Develop (neuro)linguistic work within the theme of the ACLC mission: Constraints on Variation, and with a focus on issues of multilingualism;
• initiate collaborative interdisciplinary work within the ACLC and beyond (e.g. ILLC, ABC) that will lead to grant applications;
• publish in high standard scientific journals, books, as well as other relevant output venues;
• initiate research impact strategies and socially relevant activities;
• develop and strengthen courses on lab techniques e.g., EEG/ERP, eye-tracking;
• co-supervise PhD candidates;
• teach BA and MA courses in the relevant affiliated programmes, in particular in the Linguistics and English programmes;
• (co)supervise BA and MA theses;
• broad teaching skills, relevant to multiple departments in the Faculty of Humanities;
• work with team members to maintain and improve relevant teaching programmes;
• take on administrative duties related to the programmes (e.g., programme coordinator, programme committee, examination board).

Requirements

The ideal candidate is a (neuro)linguist, that is, a scholar of the study of language and communication (including visual and multimodal communication) whose research draws on multifaceted methods from, for instance, neuroscience, (psycho)linguistics, or cognitive science, who demonstrates remarkable skills in lab techniques, such as EEG and eye-tracking, and has a strong interest in issues of multilingualism, language variation, and the constraints applying to it. S/he has a proven track record in internationally-leading research and teaching, and should be willing to develop new methodologies and techniques within ACLC. The candidate is expected to play a prominent role in training junior scholars within the ACLC and the relevant teaching programmes, and to participate actively in the coordination of BA and rMA teaching programmes. Furthermore, the candidate is expected to take on administrative tasks related to teaching and/or research. More detailed requirements are listed below:

• a relevant PhD (e.g., in neuroscience, linguistics, cognitive science);
• at least two years of postdoctoral (or equivalent) research experience by the application date;
• a proven track record of lab-skills (e.g., EEG/ERP, eye-tracking);
• experience and expertise in applying lab methods to answering fundamental research questions;
• experience and expertise in (neuro)linguistics, and ability to teach related topics at the BA and MA levels (relevant programmes are General Linguistics, Cognition, Language, and Communication, English Linguistics);
• international recognition as demonstrated by a record of peer-reviewed publications, (keynotes) presentations at international conferences, research management, and socially relevant activities;
• track-record of research funding, appropriate to the career stage of the applicant;
• experienced team-worker;
• great capacity in linking research to teaching and broad societal questions;
• strong organizational and cooperation skills;
• proven research- and/or teaching-related administrative experience;
• wide experience of different forms and levels of delivering university teaching, at BA and MA level;
• broad teaching skills, relevant to multiple teaching programmes in the Faculty of Humanities;
• experience with PhD (co)supervision and/or PhD examination would be an asset;
• the Dutch University Teaching Qualification (UTQ/BKO), or willingness to acquire this within the first two years;
• teaching and admin duties require native or near-native fluency in Dutch and English; appointments are subject to the candidate’s proficiency in both, or their undertaking to acquire thorough knowledge of Dutch and English as speedily as possible; non-native Dutch speakers must achieve an active and passive command of Dutch within two years. Passing the state examination for Dutch as a Second Language (NT2), programme II, is a prerequisite for a permanent employment contract.

Further information

For more information, please contact:

• Prof. Jeannette Schaeffer, Chair of the Department of Literary Studies and Linguistics

Employment contract

The contract is initially temporary for a period of two years. Subject to a positive assessment, it will be converted to a permanent contract. The start of the contract is scheduled for 1 August 2020.
The scope of the employment contract is 38 hours per week (1.0 FTE). The UFO profile of assistant professor applies to this position (salary scale 11/12, depending on relevant work experience). The Collective Labour Agreement of Dutch Universities applies.

Job application

The UvA is an equal-opportunity employer. We prioritise 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.

The Faculty of Humanities wants to improve the diversity of its research community with respect to ethnicity, gender, sexuality and class. Applications that contribute to this are particularly encouraged.

Applications, including a motivation letter, a detailed curriculum vitae, a list of publications, and the names and email addresses of two referees who can provide letters of recommendation, should be submitted electronically no later than 1 April 2020 to the Dean of the Faculty of Humanities, Prof. Fred Weerman, by using the link below.

Only complete applications received via this link will be considered.

A trial class and an interview will be part of the application procedure for shortlisted candidates. Trial classes and interviews will be held on 24 April, 2020, 8am-6pm. #LI-DNP

No agencies please