Job Location: Bochum, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany
Web Address: https://www.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/en
Job Title: Postdoctoral Researcher (m/f/x) in Experimental Linguistics
Job Rank: Post Doc

Specialty Areas: Computational Linguistics; Pragmatics; Psycholinguistics; Semantics

Specialty Language(s): English (eng)
German (deu)

Description:

In order to fill a fixed-term position in full-time (39.83 hours/week = 100%) by November 1, 2025 or later, we are looking for a
Postdoctoral researcher (m/f/x) in experimental linguistics

The DFG research founded project “At-issueness as propositional prominence” (lead by Prof. Dr. Daniel Gutzmann) investigates the concept of “at-issueness”, as used in semantics and pragmatics, reconceiving it as the relative prominence of propositions.

Full job positing: https://jobs.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/jobposting/267be1093f1f47b9ee443a4bd56f4ff52f298d0d0

You will take on a senior role within the project and will, in collaboration with the PI and a doctoral researcher, carry out research on the gradience of at-issue and the factors that influence the accessibility of propositions in discourse. You will be primarily responsible for the design and implementation of experimental studies and the analysis of the results.

Your tasks:
- Carry out collaborative research on at-issueness and propositional prominence
- Design and conduct experimental studies
- Analyze and model results within a theoretical framework and publish in top venues
- Mentor the project’s doctoral researcher
- Advise student assistants in project work
- Host visiting scholars (including a Mercator Fellow) and organize talks/workshops
- No teaching duties

Your profile:
- Excellent PhD in linguistics or a closely related field
- Proven expertise in experimental methods and statistical analysis
- Solid publication record in international peer-reviewed journals
- Team spirit and collaborative mindset
- Adequate proficiency in academic English (writing and communication)
- Desirable: expertise in theoretical semantics/pragmatics and/or computational modeling (e.g., linear OT, Harmonic Grammar, RSA)
- Experience supervising students is an advantage

We offer:
- Challenging and varied tasks with a high level of independence
- Collaboration in a committed and appreciative team
- Employment at one of the largest universities in Germany within the University Alliance Ruhr
- A job in the heart of the lively Ruhr metropolitan region with its diverse cultural offerings
- Extensive training and professional development opportunities
- Opportunity to advance your academic career by focusing on research and publications
- Travel founds

Further information:

The position is salaried and based on the collective agreement of the Länder (TV-L). If the personal and collective agreement requirements are met, the employee will receive pay grade E13 TV-L (100%).

Further information can be found at https://oeffentlicher-dienst.info/ (in German).

German is not required.

The place of work is Ruhr University Bochum:

The Ruhr-Universität Bochum is one of Germany’s leading research universities, addressing the whole range of academic disciplines. A highly dynamic setting enables researchers and students to work across the traditional boundaries of academic subjects and faculties. To create knowledge networks within and beyond the university is Ruhr-Universität Bochum’s declared aim.

Application Deadline: (Open until filled)
Mailing Address for Applications:
Germany
Web Address for Applications: https://jobs.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/jobposting/267be1093f1f47b9ee443a4bd56f4ff52f298d0d0
Application Instructions:
To apply, use the online application tool: https://jobs.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/jobposting/267be1093f1f47b9ee443a4bd56f4ff52f298d0d0

Please submit your application as .pdf file(s), including a cover letter, curriculum vitae with a list of publications and academic presentations, a list of supervised theses (including B.A. or M.A. theses) and/or collaborative work with doctoral students, a list of organized workshops, other leadership and coordination activities, your PhD thesis, as well as the names and contact information of two references.

The Staff Council has the right to participate in all selection interviews. At the request of a candidate (m/f/x), it will ensure its participation in the entire procedure. Please contact [email protected].

Travel costs, accommodation costs and loss of earnings or other application costs for job interviews can unfortunately not be reimbursed.

We look forward to receiving your application via our online application portal by 2025-09-23. Please make sure to mention the reference number ANR 4928.

The Ruhr-Universität Bochum stands for diversity and equal opportunities. For this reason, we favour a working environment composed of heterogeneous teams, and seek to promote the careers of individuals who are underrepresented in our respective professional areas. The Ruhr-Universität Bochum expressly requests job applications from women. In areas in which they are underrepresented they will be given preference in the case of equivalent qualifications with male candidates. Applications from individuals with disabilities are most welcome.
Contact Information:
Daniel Gutzmann
Email: [email protected]