PhD Position in the Max Planck Research Group Evolutionary Processes in Language and Culture

A PhD Position is available in the Max Planck Research Group Evolutionary Processes in Language and Culture at the Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics in Nijmegen, The Netherlands. The research group „Evolutionary Processes in Language and Culture” is a small,  independent group funded by the Max Planck Society to investigate structural variation in language and culture from an evolutionary perspective. We seek a talented and motivated student to carry out a mutually agreed research project in an area complementary to the interests of the group. The PhD project will involve investigation of the determinants of variation in one or more large language families, e.g. Austronesian, Bantu and/or Indo-European (other families/regions can be considered on the basis of data access). The precise nature of the project will be agreed in collaboration with the successful candidate, but we envisage that it will be interdisciplinary in orientation, encompassing some of the following areas:

– Linguistic typology
– Social anthropology
– Evolutionary anthropology
– Historical linguistics
– Phylogenetics

The successful candidate will have access to the research group databases, and will have the opportunity to participate in group projects. Technical skills in computing (esp. sql, python, R) and statistics would be advantageous. The Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics is a vibrant research environment in a charming university town. Nijmegen is situated 1.5 hours from Amsterdam, and has easy access to Belgium and Germany. The PhD position is funded for 3 years (2 year initial contract with a 1 year extension). The research group provides fully equipped research facilities, technical support and research assistance, as well as a generous conference and travel budget, and support for possible fieldwork.

Closing date for application: May 15th, 2009.

The Max Planck Society is an equal opportunity employer. The business of the institute is conducted in English. Applicants should send their CV, a short statement of research interests, a sample of their writing, and the names and e-mail addresses of at least two potential referees to:

Dr Michael Dunn
Research Group Evolutionary Processes in Language and Culture
Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics
Postbus 310, 6500AH Nijmegen
The Netherlands

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