[R-lang] 2 PhD Positions at the University of Leuven, Belgium

[Yves Peirsman]

The research unit Quantitative Lexicology and Variational Linguistics at 
the University of Leuven invites applications for two PhD positions 
(01.10.2007 – 30.09.2011).

RESEARCH PROJECT 1: SOCIOLECTOMETRY AND LEXICAL VARIATION
The research project "Sociolectometry and Lexical Variation" wishes to 
contribute to the development of a quantitative, corpus-based study of 
language variation. In order to compare the use of synonyms (like 
"jeans" and "spijkerbroek" or "dessert" and "toetje") in Belgian and 
Netherlandic Dutch, it applies state-of-the-art computational-linguistic 
techniques that discover semantically related words on the basis of 
their distribution in a corpus. The differences in the distribution of 
these words between several sub-corpora then make it possible to 
quantify the "linguistic distance" between several language varieties.

RESEARCH PROJECT 2: A USAGE-BASED ANALYSIS OF DUTCH "DOEN" AND "LATEN" 
CAUSATIVES
The second research project focuses on the distribution of "doen" 
("make") and "laten" ("let") causatives in Dutch. On the basis of a 
quantitative analysis of their distribution in large corpora, it is our 
goal to determine what variables (e.g., direct vs. indirect causation, 
formal vs. informal language, Belgian vs. Netherlandic Dutch) influence 
the choice of either "doen" or "laten" as a causative. In this way, this 
project contributes to the development of a usage-based grammar in 
Cognitive Linguistics, and explores the methods by which such a grammar 
can be constructed.

RESEARCH UNIT QUANTITATIVE LEXICOLOGY AND VARIATIONAL LINGUISTICS (QLVL)
The research unit QLVL at the University of Leuven seeks to advance the 
cognitive-linguistic study of language in two fields: sociolectometry 
(cf. research project 1) and the development of a multifactorial grammar 
(cf. research project 2). Both perspectives are motivated by a concern 
for an empirically viable usage-based study of language, a growing 
tendency within Cognitive Linguistics. QLVL is part of the Department of 
Linguistics at KULeuven, which is home to many renowned linguists. QLVL 
works together with other departments at KULeuven and elsewhere.
More information can be found at the QLVL website: 
wwwling.arts.kuleuven.ac.be/qlvl/

REQUIREMENTS
Candidates must have completed all requirements for their MA degree in 
linguistics by the time of appointment. The ideal candidate should have 
a strong research interest, with demonstrable familiarity in any of the 
following research fields: cognitive linguistics, sociolinguistics, 
language variation, stylometric and lectometric research, lexicology and 
lexical semantics, syntax, corpus linguistics.  Knowledge of Dutch is 
not required at the time of application, but non-native candidates will 
be asked to acquire a working knowledge of the language in the first 
year of their employment. Computational and statistical skills will be 
considered an asset.

FURTHER INFORMATION
A full description of the project and additional information about the 
vacancy can be obtained from professors Dirk Geeraerts or Dirk Speelman, 
who will supervise the project.
Funding is guaranteed as of October 1, 2007, but according to the 
availability of the candidate, employment may start later.

Dirk Geeraerts
E-mail: dirk.geeraerts at arts.kuleuven.be
Phone: ++32 16 32 48 15
Fax: ++32 16 32 47 67
Surface mail: Department of Linguistics, Blijde-Inkomststraat 21, B-3000 
Leuven, Belgium

Dirk Speelman
E-mail: dirk.speelman at arts.kuleuven.be
Phone: ++32 16 32 48 07
Fax: ++32 16 32 47 67
Surface mail: Department of Linguistics, Blijde-Inkomststraat 21, B-3000 
Leuven, Belgium

APPLICATIONS
Please send applications to both Dirk Geeraerts and Dirk Speelman. 
E-mail applications should be sent in pdf format. Please include:
- your choice of research project, together with a letter of motivation
- a full CV
- the name and e-mail address of one referee

Closing date: July 21, 2007.

Disclaimer: http://www.kuleuven.be/cwis/email_disclaimer.htm