Research Fellow in Pragmatics and Cognitive Science (0.7 full-time equivalent)

University of Brighton; Brighton; Hybrid; GBP 41,000 - 49,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading academic institution in Brighton is seeking a Research Fellow in Linguistics to join a new interdisciplinary project focusing on pragmatics and cognitive science. The role requires a PhD or equivalent experience in linguistics/pragmatics. Work involves collaboration with international colleagues and a commitment to ongoing professional development. This fixed-term appointment spans from November 2025 to August 2027, offering a competitive salary and a supportive academic environment.

Benefits

Generous annual leave

Travel loan schemes

Supportive academic community

Qualifications

• PhD or equivalent professional experience in linguistics/pragmatics.
• Experience in pragmatics literature on ineffability.
• Familiarity with cognitive appraisal theory of emotion.

Responsibilities

• Investigate cognition and emotion relationships with Dr. Wharton.
• Organise online and in-person meetings for research events.
• Engage in continuous professional development and publications.

Skills

Research in pragmatics

Cognitive science

IT skills

Education

PhD in linguistics or pragmatics

Job description

Overview

School of Humanities and Social Science

Location: Brighton - Moulsecoomb  Salary: £41,064 to £48,822 pro rata Fixed Term End Date: 31/08/2027 Closing Date: Sunday 28 September 2025 Reference: HU4033-25-188

Join a new interdisciplinary international research project working at the interface between pragmatics and cognitive science.

We’re looking for a Research Fellow in Linguistics to join the new research project “Searching for Relevance: Pragmatics and Affective Science.” This project is supported by The Leverhulme Trust and involves Dr Tim Wharton, Principal Lecturer, School of Humanities and Social Science as PI, as well as colleagues from the Swiss Centre of Affective Science in Geneva, Switzerland.

You will be working closely with Dr Wharton, with whom you'll investigate the relationship between cognition and affect and explore the intersection between the notion of relevance used in relevance-theoretic pragmatics and those notions of relevance used in appraisal theory, a major theoretical and experimental approach to affective science.

Responsibilities

• A PhD (or an equivalent level of professional experience) in an area of linguistics / pragmatics central to the focus of the research project
• Experience of researching in pragmatics and cognitive science, and a familiarity with both the pragmatics literature on ineffability and the cognitive appraisal theory of emotion
• Sufficient, up-to-date breadth or depth of specialist knowledge in the discipline of linguistics and of research methods and techniques
• Experience of organising meetings (online and in person) and research events (there will be an international workshop - to be held next year - that will form part of the project)
• Evidence of commitment to engage in continuous professional development including publications and knowledge of methods for theoretical and empirical research
• Understanding of equality of opportunity, academic content, issues relating to ethical research practices
• Competent and relevant IT skills and ideally effective use of IT for teaching and learning

The appointment is for a fixed term (0.7 full time equivalent) with an ideal start date of 01/11/25 and an end date of 31/08/27.

For further information about the role and the qualities we are looking for, please see the job description.

Qualifications

As listed under Responsibilities above.

Why Join Us?

At Brighton, you’ll find a supportive and forward-thinking academic community. We offer a generous annual leave package, travel loan schemes and a range of other benefits.

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Further Details

Job Description

The University is committed to creating and maintaining an inclusive environment for all staff regardless of age, disability, family or caring responsibilities, gender identity, marital status, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief (including non-belief), sex and sexual orientation. We embrace equality and diversity in our working, learning, research and teaching environment and are committed to maintaining a supportive and inclusive community. We particularly encourage applicants from Minority Ethnic backgrounds because the University is under-represented by Minority Ethnic staff.

For the vast majority of our roles we operate an agile working system with time split between working on campus and at the employee's home. It is the University's expectation that home working will take place within the UK.

Further information about working for us, as well as the wide range of benefits we offer, can be found in the working with us section of our vacancies page.

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