PhD Research Fellow in Multilingualism and Cross-Linguistic Influence

University of Stavanger; Stavanger; On-site; NOK 522,000 - 638,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free Norwegian language courses

Lifekeys access (mental health)

Relocation support

Health services

Parental leave

Inclusive workplace

Public transport discount

Job summary

The University of Stavanger invites applications for a PhD fellowship affiliated with the FLUENT research group and the Department of Culture and Language. The project focuses on cross-linguistic influence in bilingual and multilingual speakers, with scope to develop a doctoral project in this broad area, using offline, online or combined methods.

The dissertation will be written in English. Stavanger's multilingual population provides excellent opportunities for recruiting participants from

Job description

Research Topic

The successful candidate will be affiliated with the research group FLUENT (Multilingual Development and Change in Contemporary Society) and the Department of Culture and Language. FLUENT investigates multilingualism from different perspectives, including language acquisition, formal linguistics, and educational sciences. The research group is interdisciplinary and welcomes a range of theoretical and methodological approaches.

This PhD position is an open call for doctoral projects in multilingualism, with a particular focus on cross-linguistic influence (CLI) in bilingual and multilingual speakers. The overall aim is to increase our understanding of how languages influence one another in the multilingual mind, and to what extent grammatical systems are shared across languages.

Although cross-linguistic influence is a well-established phenomenon, many questions remain unanswered. In particular, more research is needed on how language-specific properties and linguistic distance between languages affect cross-linguistic influence. Further research is also needed on how different types of multilingual speakers (for example, children and adults, early and late bilinguals) and individual factors such as language proficiency, language exposure and language use influence these processes. Because much previous research has relied on offline methods, such as grammaticality judgment tasks, relatively little is known about how cross-linguistic influence manifests itself while multilingual speakers process language in real time.

The PhD project should contribute new empirical knowledge on cross-linguistic influence using offline, online or combined methodological approaches. Applicants are encouraged to develop their own project within this broad research area.

Possible topics include, but are not limited to:

• the extent to which cross-linguistic influence varies as a function of linguistic distance between languages
• the extent to which cross-linguistic influence varies across different linguistic domains, such as syntax, morphology, vocabulary and phonology
• the extent to which cross-linguistic influence varies across different types of multilingual speakers, for example children and adults, early and late bilinguals, or third language learners
• the extent to which individual factors, such as language proficiency, language exposure and language use, influence cross-linguistic influence
• the extent to which cross-linguistic influence manifests itself similarly or differently in multilingual speakers’ linguistic knowledge and in real-time language processing

Projects may investigate a broad range of language combinations. Projects including Norwegian in combination with one or more other languages are particularly encouraged, although projects involving other language combinations are also welcome. Stavanger's multilingual population provides excellent opportunities for recruiting participants with diverse linguistic backgrounds.

The dissertation will be written in English.

English Language Requirements

Proficiency in English, both written and spoken, is required for admission to the PhD programme.

International applicants who do not qualify for one of the exemptions listed below must document their English language proficiency by submitting a valid test result from one of the following tests:

• TOEFL iBT (Test of English as a Foreign Language): minimum score of 90/4.5
• IELTS Academic (International English Language Testing System): minimum score of 6.5
• Cambridge English: Certificate in Advanced English (CAE) or Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE)
• PTE Academic (Pearson Test of English Academic): minimum score of 62

You are exempt from this requirement if you:

• have completed at least one year of university studies in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the United Kingdom or the United States
• have completed a master's degree taught in English in an EU/EEA country or in India
• qualify for an exemption according to the Norwegian Directorate for Higher Education and Skills (HK-dir) GSU list
• do not fall within any of the exemption categories listed above, but have resided in Norway for the past five years.

As a PhD Fellow at UiS, you will receive

• a PhD education at a university with a strong societal mission and ambitious academic goals
• an ambitious and inclusive research environment. We strive to include employees at all levels in strategic decisions and promote an informal atmosphere with a flat organisational structure.
• free Norwegian language courses if you do not have proficiency in Norwegian, Swedish, or Danish at level A2 at the time of employment.
• access to Lifekeys, a digital service that supports mental health and well-being
• salary in accordance with the State Salary Scale, code 1017, NOK 580.000 gross per year, with salary progression during the employment period. A statutory 2% contribution is deducted for membership in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund.
• membership in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund (Statens pensjonskasse), which provides favourable pension and insurance schemes
• favourable membership terms at SiS Sports Centre and the university sports club
• employment with an Inclusive Workplace organisation committed to reducing sick leave and promoting and inclusive working life
• access to the Hjem-jobb-hjem programme, offering discounted public transportation to and from work
• relocation support
• access to comprehensive health services, generous parental leave arrangements and a well-developed welfare system.