LINGUIST List 15.33

Mon Jan 12 2004

Support: General Ling: Researcher, U/Amsterdam

Editor for this issue: Sarah Murray <sarahlinguistlist.org>

Directory

1. e.o.aboh, General Linguistics: Researcher, University of Amsterdam

University or Organization: University of Amsterdam
Department: Theoretical Linguistics
Rank of Job: Researcher
Specialty Areas: General Linguistics, Pragmatics, Syntax, Typology


Description:

Two research positions (AIO/PhD) at the University of Amsterdam

The University of Amsterdam invites applications for two PhD positions
in general linguistics. These will form part of a research project on
the typology of focus and topic, clause structure and the
discourse-syntax interface taking place at the Amsterdam Center of
Language and Communication (ACLC) of the University of Amsterdam.
Applicants should have an MA in linguistics and should demonstrate
strong research potential as well as interest in other fields of
linguistics besides their own domain of specialization. The two PhD
students will be expected to collaborate with the members of the
research team.


PhD1: The typology of topic and focus: information structure

The aim of this project is to provide a typological characterization
of the function of topic and focus in discourse, that is, how topic
and focus are realized cross-linguistically, what their discourse
properties are and in what way topic and focus interact with other
discourse-related constructions such as wh-questions. This project
therefore adopts a typological approach to the discourse-syntax
interface by studying how discourse-linked properties and morphosyntax
interact.

The ideal candidate is someone who has a particular interest in
typological research, information structure, syntax and the
syntax-pragmatics interface. In addition, the candidate should have a
strong commitment to working on empirical data both from European and
non-European languages and/or other less studied languages, in order
to provide adequate descriptions where none is available. The
candidate should therefore be prepared to do fieldwork where
necessary.


Ph.D2: The typology of topic and focus and functional structure

This project focuses on a smaller sample of typologically different
languages in order to provide a fine-grained comparative analysis of
the morphosyntax (and function) of topic and focus. This sub-project
focuses on the topic-focus articulation within the functional
structure of the clause and the determiner phrase. In line with the
cartographic approach (Cinque 1999, Rizzi 1997), this project will
provide a theoretical and empirical basis for the typology of
positions that the study of focus and topic can build on.

The ideal candidate is someone who is strong in syntactic theory, with
an emphasis on comparative syntax, and who has demonstrated interest
in the interface between discourse/semantics and syntax. The
successful candidate should have strong commitment to reconciling
theoretical research and empirical research, and be prepared to work
on both European and non-European languages and/or other less studied
languages. Accordingly, the candidate will be expected to do fieldwork
where necessary.


Both PhD students will be on a 4-year research assistantship. In the
first year and half of the project, all team members will collaborate
in setting up a typological database with detailed information on the
formal manifestation of topic and focus phenomena in a representative
sample of languages. During this period, the PhD students will
cooperate in the construction of the database. After this period, each
PhD student will focus on the in-depth analysis of the relevant data
for her/his thesis.

Qualifications: MA in linguistics, obtained no longer than five years
ago.

The PhD student will be appointed as 'assistant in opleiding(aio)' for
a period of four years (full time) at the Faculty of Humanities of the
University of Amsterdam under the terms of employment currently valid
for the Faculty.

Candidates should send a covering letter, certified transcripts of
their master's thesis (including a summary in English), and details of
theprogramme followed, a CV, and the names of three referees.



Address for Applications:

	Attn: Prof. Anne, E. Baker
	Spuistraat 210
	Amsterdam, 1012 VT
	Netherlands

	Applications are due by 31-Jan-2004

Contact Information:
	Dr. Enoch, O. Aboh
	Email: e.o.abohuva.nl
	Tel: 003120 525 38 75
	Fax: 003120 525 30 21
	Website: http://www.hum.uva.nl/aclc/