Key Skills

Job Description

Are you an experienced linguistic typologist with a keen interest in interdisciplinary approaches to cross-linguistic research? Do you imagine yourself working in a small team at the crossroads of linguistics and cognitive science? Then we welcome your application for a postdoctoral position in our multi-methods project on negation across languages. Working at the UvA Come work with us In this project you collaborate in a small international team of (psycho)linguists and cognitive scientists on the evolution and processing of negation in language. Together, we investigate the cognitive underpinnings of why most languages prefer to express the negator early rather than late in the utterance. Alongside one of the PIs and another part-time postdoctoral researcher, you will carry out a typological study on languages with and without late negation, with specific attention to languages of Papua, South America, and sub-Saharan Africa. In addition, you will contribute to a multi-methods project including artificial language learning and EEG, as well field-based experiments with speakers of Cha’palaa, an indigenous language of Ecuador. A good salary Your salary will be determined on the basis of your experience and seniority, in accordance with the Labour agreement. Your grading and therefore the amounts mentioned are based on full employment of 38 hours per week. 232 vacation hours We also offer parental leave, partner leave and social engagement leave. Through the Employment Conditions Menu Card, there are opportunities for even more vacation hours. Financial arrangements On top of your salary, you receive holiday allowance (8%) and a year-end bonus (8.3%). You build up a good pension with ABP. And in addition, we offer many other allowances and schemes. Career development and room for growth The UvA encourages you to continue to professionalise through training courses and open UvA lectures. Family matters Relocating to the Netherlands with your family? Find out about daycare, schooling, health insurance or employment options and support for your partner or spouse. Including the IDCN-network which provides support for your spouse through various training sessions, social activities, and networking events. All About This Vacancy This is what you will be doing Design and conduct qualitative and quantitative typological research on the typology of (early/late) negation and its structural correlates, in collaboration with one of the PIs and another part-time (20%) postdoctoral researcher; Collaborate with the rest of the team (another PI, PhD candidate, and external partner) in an interdisciplinary project, including (field-based) psycholinguistic experiments; Co-authoring at least three papers and compiling a typological database; Co-organizing and contributing to a summer school and a workshop. This Is What We Ask Of You PhD in a relevant field: (morpho-syntactic/semantic) typology, cross-linguistic psycholinguistics; Experience with structure of non-WEIRD languages, in particular languages of South-America, Papua, and/or sub-Saharan Africa; Experience with qualitative and quantitative approaches to cross-linguistic variation; Demonstrable affinity with interdisciplinary and (field-based) experimental approaches; A cooperative attitude and excellent communicative skills; Good command of (academic) English; Optional: working knowledge of Spanish. This Is What Else We Offer You The employment will be for one year. Contingent on a positive performance evaluation the contract will be extended with two years. The preferred starting date is 01 March 2027; Depending on relevant experience, the salary at the start of the employment is between €3.706 and €5.760 euros gross per month based on full-time employment for a 38-hour working week. In addition, you will receive an 8% holiday allowance and an 8.3% end-of-year allowance. The Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities is applicable. Your place at the UvA This is where you will be working This postdoctoral position is part of an NWO-funded Open Competition Large project, led by two PIs: Eva van Lier and Marieke Schouwstra, affiliated with two research schools: the Amsterdam Center for Language and Communication (ACLC) and the Institute for Logic, Language and Computation (ILLC). In addition, our research team includes another (part-time) postdoc, a PhD candidate, and an in international specialist in psycholinguistics. About The Faculty Of Humanities From modern and classical languages, history, arts and culture, archaeology, religious studies and philosophy to new media, digital humanities, and conservation and restoration, the Faculty of Humanities encompasses a broad spectrum of innovative teaching and research. Based in the historic heart of Amsterdam, it maintains close ties with many partners in the cultural sector, society and the business community. In doing so, it forms part of a humanities hub of international standing. Important to know Your application & contact For questions about the position or department, you can contact us during office hours at: Eva van Lier ([email protected]) and/or Marieke Schouwstra ([email protected]) Application If you recognize yourself in the profile and are interested in the position, we look forward to receiving your application. The vacancy closes on 9 November 2026. The first round of interviews will take place on 7 December 2026 Acquisition in response to this vacancy is not appreciated. Diversity, Equity & Inclusion As an employer, the UvA maintains an equal opportunities policy. We value diversity and are fully committed to being a place where everyone feels at home. We nurture inquisitive minds and perseverance and allow room for persistent questioning. With us, curiosity and creativity are the prevailing culture. Studies show that women and members of underrepresented groups only apply for jobs if they meet 100% of the qualifications. Do you meet the educational requirements but not yet all of the requested experience? The UvA encourages you to apply anyway.

Core Responsibilities

Design and conduct qualitative and quantitative typological research on early and late negation and its structural correlates, and collaborate on interdisciplinary research involving psycholinguistic experiments. Co-author at least three papers, compile a typological database, and help organize and contribute to a summer school and workshop.

Requirements

A PhD in a relevant field, such as morphosyntactic or semantic typology or cross-linguistic psycholinguistics, is required, along with experience studying non-WEIRD languages and cross-linguistic variation. Applicants should have an affinity for interdisciplinary and field-based experimental research, strong communication and collaboration skills, and good academic English; Spanish is optional.

Benefits

• Holiday Allowance
• Year-End Bonus
• Pension
• Parental Leave
• Partner Leave
• Social Engagement Leave
• Vacation Leave
• Training Courses
• Professional Development