Leibniz-Zentrum Allgemeine Sprachwissenschaft Leibniz-Gemeinschaft

Full research position in the research area 2 „Language Development and Multilingualism“

07.03.2024

The research area 2 „Language Development and Multilingualism“ at the Leibniz-Zentrum Allgemeine Sprachwissenschaft (ZAS) invites applications for a full position starting Mai, 1st 2024 or soon after. ZAS is looking for a researcher that will drive forward an independent program of research that contributes to the goals of research area 2. The position at ZAS foresees evaluations towards the end of the second and the sixth year on the path to permanent employment.

ZAS is a member of the Leibniz Association. The Leibniz Association connects almost 100 independent research institutions that range in focus from natural, engineering, and environmental sciences to economics and the humanities. Its institutes address issues of social, economic, and ecological relevance and conduct knowledge-driven and applied basic research, maintain scientific infrastructure, and provide research-based services. As a Leibniz-Institute, ZAS is regularly independently evaluated.

The ZAS is a leading international center for theoretical research in linguistics, with an active program of workshops and colloquia, facilities for experimental research, and ample opportunities for collaboration.  ZAS has four labs for experimental research: child language, eyetracking, motion capture, and phonetic lab.

The Research Area “Language Development and Multilingualism” investigates the development of linguistic competence in different speaker groups during their entire life span. Our research focuses on language acquisition in pre-school and primary school aged monolingual and multilingual children using diverse psycholinguistic methodologies. The Research Area contributes to the development of tools for multilingual language assessment.

The criteria for filling the position include:

- Ph.D. in Linguistics or a related field, maximum 4 years of academic employment post PhD

- excellent research record relative to career-stage and outstanding potential in the area of language development and multilingualism, proven especially by publications peer-reviewed journals

- demonstrated expertise of psycholinguistic methodologies, e.g. eye-tracking relevant for language development and multilingualism research

- initial experience in solicitation of and strong promise for further third-party funding

- commitment to knowledge transfer to the public at large

- proven ability of work in research teams and evidence of leadership potential

The responsibilities of the position include primarily cutting-edge research in experimental (atypical) language acquisition and multilingualism and some administrative work for ZAS. Acquisition of additional projects within ZAS's research theme structure is an integral part of research at ZAS.

Our offer:

- remunerated according to E13 of the German TVOeD pay scale

- international, cooperative, and diversified working environment

- family-friendly working environment with flexible working hours and the possibility of mobile working

- support to apply for own grant funding from DFG, ERC, and other sources

- possibility to teach at Berlin area universities if desired

- 30 vacation days

- modern recreation room

- reduced monthly ticket for local public transport (Deutschlandticket Job)

The ZAS is certified for ensuring family - friendly working conditions by the audit "berufundfamilie" (workandfamily). The ZAS strives to strengthen gender balance and diversity of staff in all working areas and at all scientific levels. Members of groups traditionally underrepresented in German academic positions as well as in science support positions are particularly encouraged to apply.

Application Materials:

Interested candidates should submit the following materials (in one .pdf file):

1. Cover letter (max. 2 pages) detailing research interests and the scientific plan for the six years

2. CV including a complete list of publications and evidence of third-party funding

3. Electronic copies of three representative publications in pdf-format

4. Names and Email addresses of at least two scholars, who will be willing to write a reference letter, if necessary

How to Apply:

Please submit all application materials in one .pdf-file electronically to [FB2stelle@leibniz-zas.de]. Include "ZAS FB2 application" in the subject line. Contact person is Prof. Dr. Natalia Gagarina.

Application Deadline: 18.4.2024