Sociolinguistics, Open Rank

Stanford University; Palo Alto (CA); On-site; USD 115,000 - 256,000; Full time

Job summary

The Department of Linguistics at Stanford University seeks applicants for a junior or senior appointment in Sociolinguistics at the tenure-track Assistant Professor level, or tenured Associate Professor, or Full Professor. The successful candidate will teach and advise graduate and undergraduate students, and maintain an active research program.

We welcome candidates whose work spans variation, social meaning, fieldwork and quantitative analysis, with potential engagement with social theory and

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Linguistics or related field.
• Demonstrated commitment to effective teaching and mentoring.
• Ability to maintain a world-class research program.

Responsibilities

• Teach and advise students at both graduate and undergraduate levels.
• Maintain an active, rigorous research program.
• Engage with multiple subfields and contribute to sociolinguistics pedagogy.

Skills

Teaching experience

Mentoring

Research program management

Education

Ph.D. in Linguistics or related field

Job description

The Department of Linguistics at Stanford University seeks applicants for a junior or senior appointment at the rank of tenure-track Assistant Professor, tenured Associate Professor, or Full Professor in the area of Sociolinguistics. Applicants must have demonstrated a commitment to effective teaching and mentoring and the ability to maintain a world-class research program. The successful candidate must have a Ph.D. in Linguistics or a related field and will be expected to teach and advise students at both the graduate and undergraduate levels, and to maintain an active research program. The sociolinguistics program currently focuses on variation and social meaning based on fieldwork and quantitative data analysis. We seek a candidate who enriches this focus by further strengthening some of these areas or by broadening the focus in synergistic ways. We also welcome engagement with social theory and style. We value candidates whose research engages with multiple subfields of linguistics and applies methodologically rigorous empirical work to significant theoretical questions.

The term of appointment is expected to begin on September 1, 2027.

Candidates should submit

• a cover letter
• curriculum vitae (including a publication list)
• a research statement (not to exceed two pages)
• a statement of teaching interests and philosophy (not to exceed one page)
• up to three representative samples of published or unpublished work

Candidates will also be asked to provide the names of three references, who will be contacted as follows:

• References for non-tenured applicants will be contacted for a letter upon submission of the application.
• References for applicants who are currently tenured may be contacted for a letter at a later stage in the application process.

The salary range for this position in the academic year 2026-2027 is

Assistant Professor: $115,133 - $135,388
Associate Professor: $128,992 - $159,907
Professor: $149,247 - $255,852

Stanford University has provided a pay range representing its good faith estimate of what the university reasonably expects to pay for the position upon hire. The pay offered to the selected candidate will be determined based on factors including (but not limited to) the qualifications of the selected candidate, budget availability, and internal equity.

Further information about Stanford’s Department of Linguistics may be found at linguistics.stanford.edu. Inquiries may be directed to [e-mail]

For full consideration, materials should be received by Friday, October 16, 2026. Review of applications will begin on that date, and the portal for applications will close on December 1, 2026.

Stanford is an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex,sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Stanford welcomes applications from all who would bring additional dimensions to the University’s research, teaching and clinical missions.

Consistent with its obligations under the law, the University will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact [e-mail].