Predoctoral researcher: linguistics

17 Mar 2026
Job Information

Organisation/Company

KU LEUVEN

Department

Faculty of Arts, KU Leuven

Research Field

Language sciences » Linguistics

Researcher Profile

First Stage Researcher (R1)

Application Deadline

1 Jun 2026 - 23:59 (UTC)

Country

Belgium

Type of Contract

Temporary

Job Status

Full-time

Offer Starting Date

1 Oct 2026

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

Not funded by a EU programme

Reference Number

BAP-2026-180

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

Offer Description

In IT speak, a bug is an unintended (software) error. A feature is an intended design functionality. The project explores if language variation and optionality impede (=bug) or facilitate (=feature) language production. Thus, our theoretical ambition is a fuller understanding of whether it is the presence or absence of optionality that is a design feature of language. In this spirit, the project cross-pollinates variationist linguistics, psycholinguistics, and theoretical linguistics. Pilot research indicates that grammatical optionality ('send Tom a letter' / 'send a letter to Tom') does not trigger dysfluencies. This is surprising, given customary theorizing that optionality in language is "buggy" and dysfunctional. In this project, we take this line of research several steps further: so GRAMMATICAL optionality is not buggy, but is this also true for other linguistic levels? Against this backdrop, we will investigate LEXICAL and PHONOLOGICAL optionality in two large speech corpora, the Switchboard corpus of US American English, and the Bluenose corpus of Canadian Maritime English. The goal is to determine if lexical optionality (e.g. ‘baby’ vs. ‘infant’) and phonological optionality (e.g. ‘good morning’ vs. ‘good mornin’, with g-dropping) trigger dysfluencies such as UM, UH, and unfilled pauses. Hand-coding of the data will feed into an analysis that relies on multivariate modeling including control variables such as e.g. turn duration to find effects.
During your four-year appointment, you will:

• Conduct research on the aforementioned topic, with a view to obtaining a doctoral degree
• Publish English-language articles in recognized international scientific journals
• Actively participate in international conferences and assist with the organization of local workshops and congresses
• Provide limited (max. 20% of your time) teaching & administrative assistance.

• You hold a Master's degree in linguistics, or another relevant master's degree
• You have experience with Praat
• You have a solid background in phonetics and/or sociophonetics
• You have some statistical literacy, esp. in multivariate modeling
• You have a background in English linguistics
• You have near-native competence in English.

• We offer full-time employment (100%) as a PhD fellow for a period of one year. Upon a positive evaluation, the appointment will be extended for an additional three years (total of four years).
• Guidance in your research development within a diverse team of committed researchers
• You will have the opportunity to participate in national and international conferences to present your research.
• Start date: October 1st at the latest.

For more information please contact Prof. dr. Benedikt Szmrecsanyi, mail: benedikt.szmrecsanyi@kuleuven.be or Dr. Thomas Van Hoey, mail: thomas.vanhoey@kuleuven.be . Your application file consists of the following 3 documents:(1) a cover letter (max. 1 page) explaining why you are the perfect candidate for this position; (2) a CV; (3) the transcripts of your previous as well as current study programs.

Where to apply

Website

https://www.kuleuven.be/personeel/jobsite/jobs/60643123?hl=en

Requirements

Research Field

Language sciences

Education Level

Master Degree or equivalent

Languages

ENGLISH

Level

Basic

Languages

ENGLISH

Level

Excellent

Research Field

Language sciences » Linguistics

Years of Research Experience

None

Additional Information
Benefits

• We offer full-time employment (100%) as a PhD fellow for a period of one year. Upon a positive evaluation, the appointment will be extended for an additional three years (total of four years).
• Guidance in your research development within a diverse team of committed researchers
• You will have the opportunity to participate in national and international conferences to present your research.
• Start date: October 1st at the latest.

Eligibility criteria

• You hold a Master's degree in linguistics, or another relevant master's degree
• You have experience with Praat
• You have a solid background in phonetics and/or sociophonetics
• You have some statistical literacy, esp. in multivariate modeling
• You have a background in English linguistics
• You have near-native competence in English.

Selection process

For more information please contact Prof. dr. Benedikt Szmrecsanyi, mail: benedikt.szmrecsanyi@kuleuven.be or Dr. Thomas Van Hoey, mail: thomas.vanhoey@kuleuven.be . Your application file consists of the following 3 documents:(1) a cover letter (max. 1 page) explaining why you are the perfect candidate for this position; (2) a CV; (3) the transcripts of your previous as well as current study programs.

Website for additional job details

https://www.kuleuven.be/personeel/jobsite/jobs/60643123?hl=en

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available

1

Company/Institute

KU LEUVEN

Country

Belgium

City

Leuven

Geofield

Contact

City

Leuven

STATUS: EXPIRED

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