Four-year PhD position: junior researcher in Italian variationist sociolinguistics

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Four-year PhD position: junior researcher in Italian variationist sociolinguistics

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Job description

Offer DescriptionWhen people migrate, their language moves with them. So far, sociolinguistics has focused primarily on the language of working-class migrants, paying particular attention to non-standard phenomena. Little research has been done on the development of the standard language of highly educated speakers who leave their homeland. This project addresses these research gaps by using a crowdsourcing method to investigate how standard language norms acquired in the home country evolve in the repertoires of highly educated Italians living abroad. This group of speakers represents an ideal test case, since they are assumed to master the two standard norms that characterize contemporary Italian: a literary standard and a so-called neo-standard Italian. The emergence of the latter variety must be understood against the background of the dynamics of de- and re-standardization attested in many European standard languages.TasksThe junior researcher will develop and carry out a research project within the overall theme of the project. This will include but is not limited to:· Design and conduct field research for spoken data and experiments· Analyze data according to the objectives· Present results at national and international conferences· Publish results in international peer-reviewed journals· Attend specialized courses (e.g. doctoral schools)· Support the organization of workshops and meetings of the project participants· Participate in the collective scientific activities and interactions of the research unit or department. In this context, the junior researcher may be asked to provide limited teaching assistance at the undergraduate level and to assist in the supervision of undergraduate
students.RequirementsResearch Field Literature Education Level Master Degree or equivalentLanguages ENGLISH Level GoodLanguages ITALIAN Level ExcellentAdditional InformationBenefitsThe PhD students will be supervised by the three project leaders: Stefania Marzo (KU Leuven), Stefano De Pascale (Vrije Universiteit Brussel) and Silvia Natale (University of Bern). Research stays at the partner universities are planned. One PhD student will be employed at the University of Bern and one at the KU Leuven according to the guidelines of the respective universities.The appointment is initially for the duration of 1 year (starting date determined in mutual agreement with the candidate) and will be extended given satisfactory achievements. The junior will have the opportunity to work in an attractive and dynamic working environment with an international team of researchers. Remuneration will be equivalent to the net salary which the beneficiary would receive as PhD bursary at the University of Bern or the KU Leuven.Eligibility criteriaApplications are invited from candidates with the following qualifications:· A master’s degree in either Linguistics or in Linguistics and Literature or other degrees relevant to the project. An outstanding record of undergraduate and Master’s level work is an asset. Final year students who are sure they will obtain their master’s degree in September
2024 can also apply.· Near-native command of Italian and a good command of written and spoken English· Ideally a background or a strong interest in the field of variationist sociolinguistics and/or Italian linguistics· Proficiency in programming skills and statistical literacy are a plus· Analytical skills and a passion for research· A cooperative attitude and the ability to work independently as well as in a team· Willingness to actively participate in an international research projectSelection processFor further information please contact the project leaders Stefania Marzo, Stefano De Pascale and Silvia Natale at can apply for this job no later than May 24, 2024 by sending an email to .Please add your CV (in English), a cover letter (in English or Italian), your certificates and a writing sample (paper and/or MA thesis, in a language of your choice) and a letter of recommendation. In your application, please indicate whether you would like to apply for the position in Leuven or Bern. Please also mention if you have no preference.Shortlisted candidates will be invited for an interview via Zoom on June 10 2024. A second round of interviews will take place on June 24 2024. If you will not be available during this period, please make this clear in your cover letter and indicate when you will be available.You can apply for this job no later than 24/05/2024 via theWork Location(s)Number of offers available 1 Company/Institute KU Leuven Country Belgium State/Province Vlaams Brabant City Leuven Postal Code 3000 Street Leuven GeofieldWhere to apply WebsiteContact State/ProvinceLeuven CityVlaams Brabant StreetLeuven Postal Code3000STATUS: EXPIRED

Expected salary

Location

Louvain, Brabant Flamand

Job date

Fri, 26 Apr 2024 02:53:02 GMT

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