29 January: FYI -- Post-Doctoral research, Semantics/Pragmatics (Germany)
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Applicants are invited for a three-year 100% postdoctoral position within the
Research Unit "Questions at the Interfaces", funded by the DFG (Deutsche
Forschungsgemeinschaft) at the University of Konstanz. The Research Unit (RU)
runs from April 1st, 2016 till March 31st, 2019 and is dedicated to
investigating question formation and question meaning, with a particular
emphasis on non-canonical questions. This RU combines expertise from
theoretical, computational and experimental linguistics as well as visual
analytics to study how different components of grammar interface with one
another to signal a particular meaning. See
http://ling.uni-konstanz.de/pages/home/qi for more information.
The linguistic department at the University of Konstanz provides a lively and
internationally well-connected research environment. The RU offers PhD
students and postdocs the opportunity to discuss their topics with fellow
scholars who work on similar issues. We also have funding to attend
international workshops and conferences.
The successful candidate is expected to work in two projects: P1 "The Role of
German Particles in Questions" and P3 "Alternative Questions". The position is
available as of April 1st, 2016. A later starting date is negotiable.
Subproject description: P1 "The role of German Particles in Questions"
investigates how discourse particles (e.g. denn, schon) shape the
illocutionary force of the utterance, turning a simple information-seeking
question like Wo wohnt er? "Where does he live?" into a non-canonical question
(e.g. a rhetorical question). The selected candidate will cooperate in
designing psycholinguistic experiments to test discourse particles in
different configurations and will be responsible for the theoretical modeling
(formal semantics and pragmatics) of the results. See:
http://ling.uni-konstanz.de/pages/home/qi/main/P1.html
P3 "Alternative Questions" investigates why alternative questions are
semantically and pragmatically more restricted than their polar question and
wh-question counterparts: (A) the range of illocutionary acts they can perform
is much more limited; (B) they are argued to give rise to special minimality,
exclusivity and exhaustivity effects; and (C) they cannot be embedded under
factive emotive verbs. The selected candidate will carry out experimental
studies and part of the theoretical modeling of the phenomenon. See:
http://ling.uni-konstanz.de/pages/home/qi/main/P3.html
Requirements:
Applicants should have a Ph.D. degree (or equivalent) in linguistics and
should specialize in formal semantics and/or formal pragmatics. Experience in
experimental semantics or pragmatics is very welcome.
The University of Konstanz encourages disabled persons to apply. They will be
given preference if appropriately qualified (contact + 49 (0) 7531 / 88 – 4016
and 88 - 2834).
The University of Konstanz is an equal opportunity employer that tries to
increase the number of women in research and teaching.
The University of Konstanz has been certified as a family-friendly institution
by the Hertie Foundation and is committed to further the compatibility of work
and family life.
The University of Konstanz offers a “Dual Career Couples Programme“.
Information is available at: http://www.familie.uni-konstanz.de/dual-career/.
Application:
Applicants should send a short cover letter, a full CV and two sample
publications to Maribel Romero at the application email address below. Please
write "Postdoc Position P1/P3" as subject of your email.
Application Deadline: 29-Feb-2016 (Open until filled)
Email Address for Applications: maribel.romero@uni-konstanz.de
Contact Information
Romero
Email: maribel.romero@uni-konstanz.de
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