The Department of Languages, Literature and Communication of Utrecht University invites applications from excellent researchers for a full-time tenure-track appointment at the rank of Assistant / Associate Professor in Computational Linguistics / Natural Language Processing (NLP). The position starts January 1, 2018 (or earlier if possible), and will be in the Linguistics section of the Department. The researcher will be affiliated with the Utrecht Institute of Linguistics (UiL OTS), with most of the teaching done as part of the Artificial Intelligence (AI) programme of the Utrecht University (Bachelor and Master level).

We are looking for excellent candidates working in the field of Computational Linguistics, and especially for candidates who specialize in models connecting statistical NLP with formal language theories of syntax and semantics. The candidate will be expected to make a substantial contribution to both the Computational Linguistics research at the UiL OTS and to the AI teaching programme. Accordingly, proven expertise in both linguistic theories and in statistical NLP will be a strong advantage. The candidate is also expected to engage with the digital humanities community at the Faculty and should be willing to contribute to research and teaching in the digital humanities, notably in the domain of text mining. A demonstrated interest in collaboration with industrial partners will be considered as an advantage.

Your teaching obligations will be in the area of Natural Language Processing, Mathematical and Computational Linguistics, and Language Technology. Additional teaching areas, depending on your expertise, may include Formal Linguistics, Artificial Grammar learning, Statistics, Machine Learning and Data Mining. You will primarily teach in the AI programme (Bachelor and Master), but also in the Bachelor programme of Linguistics and the research Master Linguistics.

In due course you will be expected to fulfill coordinating / administrative duties within the AI and linguistics programmes and occasionally in the Department. Your research will be part of the Utrecht institute of Linguistics OTS. Your initial appointment will be in the rank of Assistant Professor (UD). The position offers the possibility, depending on the qualifications and performance of the candidate, to be promoted to Associate Professor level (UHD) within at most two years after starting the position. For an Assistant Professor the teaching-research time division is 70% / 30% (teaching/research), and 60% / 40% (teaching/research) once promoted to Associate Professor. Successful applicants with outstanding research credentials may qualify for a higher amount of research time: 40% research for Assistant Professor, and 50% for Associate Professor.

We require:

• extensive research experience in Computational Linguistics / Natural Language Processing, proven by a finished PhD and publications at an internationally recognised level;
• specialisation in statistical computational models that make use of formal language theories, or are used in psycholinguistic modelling;
• experience in teaching at the Bachelor and Master levels;
• experience with successful applications for external funding is recommended;
• experience in a coordinating position is recommended;
• good communication skills;
• fluency in English;
• non Dutch-speaking candidates will need to be proficient in the Dutch language within two years
• University Teaching Qualification (Dutch basiskwalificatie universitair onderwijs, BKO). Candidates are required to obtain the BKO if they are not already in possession of one.

We offer a full-time appointment for one year, leading to a tenured position. Given satisfactory performance within that period, the appointment will become a permanent position. Salary depends on qualifications and experience and will range for the Assistant Professor position between €3,475 and €5,405 (scale 11/12 Collective Labour Agreement Dutch Universities) for a full-time employment. 

Salaries are supplemented with a holiday bonus of 8 % and a year-end bonus of 8.3 % per year. We offer a pension scheme, collective insurance schemes and flexible employment conditions (multiple choice model). More information is available at: working at Utrecht University.

A better future for everyone. This ambition motivates our scientists in their leading research and inspiring teaching. At Utrecht University, the various disciplines collaborate intensively on major societal themes. Our focus is on Dynamics of Youth, Institutions for Open Societies, Life Sciences and Sustainability.

The Faculty of Humanities has around 6,000 students and 900 staff members. It comprises four knowledge domains: Philosophy and Religious Studies, History and Art History, Media and Culture Studies, and Languages, Literature and Communication. With its research and teaching in these fields, the Faculty aims to contribute to a better understanding of the Netherlands and Europe in a rapidly changing social and cultural context. Enthusiastic and committed faculty members and excellent amenities in the historical city center of Utrecht, where the Faculty is housed, contribute to an inspiring working environment.

The faculty is divided into four departments, which includes the Department of Languages, Literature and Communication (TLC). This department monitors bachelor education and master programmes in the areas of Celtic, Dutch, English, French, German, Italian, and Spanish language and culture; Linguistics, Literary Studies; as well as Communication and Information Sciences and Artificial Intelligence. The research programmes in these areas are carried out under the supervision of either the Research institute for Cultural Inquiry (ICON) or the Utrecht Institute of Linguistics (UiL OTS).