Project description

The NWO Open Competition project On the representation of quantities: how our brains shape language will investigate properties of quantity expressions in human language from the perspective of how quantity is represented in the brain. It aims to identify how and to what extent the mental representation of quantity determines its linguistic expression, thus seeking to connect results from cognitive research on quantity representation to properties of quantity expressions in languages of the world. The project includes large scale data collection from a typologically representative sample of languages using different methodologies.

For this project, we are currently looking for a PhD candidate (see vacancy number XX-XXX) and a Postdoctoral Researcher (this vacancy).

Key responsibilities

• Setting up and carrying out parallel experiments (eye-tracking) and data studies (corpora, surveys) for four languages: English, Dutch, Indonesian and Mandarin
• Testing and refining hypotheses that connect cross-linguistic generalizations to existing knowledge of mental quantity representations
• Presenting research results at international conferences and workshops
• Publishing research results in international journals
• Participating in the research group of the project (this includes outreach activities and contributions to the design of a cross-linguistic database that will be created by the PhD candidate)

Selection criteria

• Completed PhD in linguistics
• Demonstrable affinity with and knowledge of formal semantics
• Demonstrable affinity with data driven, cross-linguistic research
• Hands-on experience in experimental linguistics
• Excellent command of English
• Preferred qualifications include good command of Dutch, Indonesian and/or Mandarin, a sound knowledge of statisticsand familiarity with the cognitive literature on number representation and magnitude representation.

Terms and conditions

We offer a fixed term 0.8 fte position for a period of 4 years, preferably starting on 1st February 2023 (a 1.0 fte position for a shorter period is negotiable).
Salary range from €[[salarisMin]].- to €[[salarisMax]].- gross per month (pay scale [[ufoSchaal]]), based on fulltime employement, in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities and commensurate with qualifications and experience. Depending on qualifications, you may start at the appropriate step in scale 10 until you fully meet the requirements for scale 11 as specified by the Faculty of Humanities, particularly with regard to the number of years of relevant work experience..

Leiden University offers an attractive benefits package with additional holiday (8%) and end-of-year bonuses(8.3 %), training and career development and sabbatical leave. Our individual choices model gives you some freedom to assemble your own set of terms and conditions. For international spouses we have set up a dual career programme. Candidates from outside the Netherlands may be eligible for a substantial tax break. More at https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/working-at/job-application-procedure-and-employment-conditions.

Diversity and inclusion
Fostering an inclusive community is a central element of the values and vision of Leiden University. Leiden University is committed to becoming an inclusive community which enables all students and staff to feel valued and respected and to develop their full potential. Diversity in experiences and perspectives enriches our teaching and strengthens our research. High quality teaching and research is inclusive.