Job Location: Christchurch, New Zealand
Web Address: https://www.canterbury.ac.nz/research/about-uc-research/research-groups-and-centres/new-zealand-institute-of-language-brain-and-behaviour
Job Title: Postdoc at the New Zealand Institute of Language, Brain and Behaviour
Job Rank: Post Doc
Salary: $86,612

Minimum Education: PhD

Specialty Areas: Cognitive Science; Morphology; Phonology; Psycholinguistics

Specialty Language(s): Maori (mri)

Description:

The New Zealand Institute of Language, Brain and Behaviour is seeking a Post-Doctoral Fellow to join the team of researchers working on a project funded by the Royal Society of New Zealand Marsden Fund, entitled "Ngā Rōpū Kupu o Te Reo Māori / The Word Categories of Te Reo Māori." The research team comprises Dr Forrest Panther, Professor Jen Hay, Dr Heeju Hwang (all University of Canterbury) and Dr Gianna Leoni (Te Hiku Media).

In this project, we will look into the evidence of parts of speech in te reo Māori. It is well-known in Māori that one "word" can act as both a noun and a verb: the word 'kai' can mean 'food', but also 'eat'. How are such "words" processed by Māori speakers? Are they really one word, or are they homonyms, one a noun, and one a verb, with distinct lexical representations? We will gather and analyse phonetic, psycholinguistic, and morpho-syntactic evidence, with the aim of understanding how speakers of Māori categorise words into lexical categories.

Applications are invited from researchers who hold a PhD in Linguistics, with expertise in one or more of the following areas: phonological and morphological research, psycholinguistics, lexical representations, te reo Māori me ōna tikanga.

We are particularly interested in candidates with a background in Māori or Polynesian linguistic research and demonstrated skills in statistical analysis and experimental design. However, all interested candidates with a background in one or more of the research areas are encouraged to apply.

The Post-Doctoral Fellow will be employed by the New Zealand Institute of Language Brain and Behaviour, University of Canterbury and will be required to relocate to Christchurch. The expected start date is April 2026, but it is negotiable

Application Deadline: 23-Nov-2025
Web Address for Applications: https://jobs.canterbury.ac.nz/jobdetails/ajid/JHKV9/Post-Doctoral-Fellow,29566
Contact Information:
Emma Parnell
Email: [email protected]