13464- Postdoctoral Researcher

University of Edinburgh; City of Edinburgh; On-site; GBP 41,000 - 49,000; Full time

Job summary

A renowned university in Scotland is seeking a full-time Postdoctoral Researcher in the Linguistics & English Language Department. This role involves conducting descriptive research on the Burun languages, focusing on their sound system and morphosyntax. The successful candidate will collaborate with team members and engage in annual fieldwork in East Africa. A PhD in Linguistics and extensive expertise in qualitative analysis are required. The position is fixed-term for 64 months, starting March 2026.

Qualifications

• Appropriate degree in Linguistics, with relevant post-graduate research and/or teaching experience.
• Extensive expertise in qualitative analysis of the sound system of an understudied language.
• Extensive expertise in qualitative analysis of the morphosyntax of an understudied language.

Responsibilities

• Conduct descriptive research on the Burun languages.
• Collaborate with team members on an ERC funded grant.
• Regular fieldwork in East Africa.

Skills

Qualitative analysis of sound systems

Qualitative analysis of morphosyntax

Experience with suprasegmental phenomena

Education

PhD in Linguistics

Job description

Grade UE07: £41,064- £ 48,822 per annum
College of Arts, Humanities and Social Science
School of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences
Full time: 35 hours per week
Fixed Term: 64 months

The Opportunity

The Linguistics & English Language Department in the School of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences are seeking a full time, fixed term Postdoctoral Researcher. The post is available from 1st of March 2026.

The successful candidate will work alongside Dr Bert Remijsen and other team members as part of an ERC funded grant “The evolution of suprasegmental morphology in West Nilotic” (Nilomorph). The postdoc will be responsible for conducting descriptive research on the Burun languages within the wider West Nilotic group, resulting in analyses of the sound system and morphosyntax of the target languages. The position involves collaborative research and regular (annual) fieldwork in East Africa throughout the duration of the role.

As a School we acknowledge that people’s career paths are rarely linear and welcome applicants to expand on their professional and personal journeys where appropriate.

Your skills and attributes for success

• Appropriate degree in Linguistics, with relevant post‑graduate research and/or teaching experience. Normally a PhD (pending or assumed complete may be considered).
• Extensive expertise in qualitative analysis of the sound system of an understudied language based on data collected first‑hand.
• Extensive expertise in qualitative analysis of the morphosyntax of an understudied language based on data collected first‑hand.
• Experience with the study of suprasegmental phenomena.