LINGUIST List 29.37
Wed Jan 03 2018
Support: Cognitive Science; Computational Linguistics; Psycholinguistics; Semantics; Text/Corpus Linguistics: PhD, University of Essex, UK
Editor for this issue: Clare Harshey <clarelinguistlist.org>
Date: 02-Jan-2018
From: Aline Villavicencio <alinev
gmail.com>
Subject: Cognitive Science; Computational Linguistics;
Psycholinguistics; Semantics; Text/Corpus Linguistics: PhD, University of Essex,
UK
E-mail this
message to a friend Department: Computer Science and Electronic
Engineering
Web Address:
https://www1.essex.ac.uk/csee/
Level: PhD
Institution/Organization: University of Essex
Duties: Research,Project Work
Specialty Areas: Cognitive Science;
Computational Linguistics; Psycholinguistics; Semantics; Text/Corpus Linguistics
Description:
We invite applications for a fully funded PhD
studentship at the School of Computer Science and Electronic Engineering, University
of Essex, to work on the project : ''What do you mean? Automatic identification of
language barriers for effective communication with government organisations”.
Project Description: There is an ever-increasing amount of information being
generated by organisations and individuals, and a considerable amount is in the form
of texts. Language is one of the rich means of communication that can be used to
understand the needs and desires of individuals, and provide important information
that is relevant for them. However, a crucial challenge is in providing information
in an accessible manner to individuals with a variety of backgrounds, in rich
multicultural and multilingual communities, with different language profiles of both
native and non-native speakers, of varying ages and levels of language abilities and
which may include clinical conditions. The goal of this project is to use data
science and natural language processing to investigate techniques for building
language profiles of specific groups of speakers. Clustering methods will be
employed to define target clusters of speakers on the basis of information about
their age, socio-economic context, and education, and based on their language
profiles methods for automatic readability assessment will determine whether
information from a given document is optimally written for targeting that group.
This will enable the use of information customisable to the language abilities of
different groups of speakers, and can be used to increase accessibility to digital
content.
The ideal candidate will:
- Hold a Masters degree in computer
science, cognitive science or a related field and have experience designing,
carrying out, and writing up empirical research studies. At a minimum, the
successful applicant will have a good honours BSc degree (1st class or high 2:1, or
equivalent) in computer science or related subjects. An MSc with Merit or
Distinction is desirable (but not essential for students with a first class degree).
- Demonstrate strong writing and analytical and mathematical skills, as well as
good programming skills.
- Knowledge of natural language processing and machine
learning are desirable but not essential.
The studentship is for three
years starting January or April 2018, and covers fees (UK/EU) and a stipend at £
14,296 per annum.
Expressions of interest, together with a CV, transcripts,
and contact details of two referees should be sent to avill
essex.ac.uk and
r.amorim
essex.ac.uk.
The position will be open until it is filled.
Applications Deadline:
31-Jan-2018
Mailing Address for Applications:
Attn:
Dr. Renato Amorim
University of
Essex
Wivenhoe Park
Colchester
CO4 3SQ
United Kingdom
Contact Information:
Dr Renato
Amorim
r.amorim
essex.ac.uk
Page Updated: 03-Jan-2018