University Assistant (prae doc) at the Department of Linguistics

The University of Vienna (20 faculties and centres, 184 fields of study, approx. 10.400 members of staff, about 90.000 students) seeks to fill the position from 01.10.2023 of a


Reference number: 14110

The research group of Prof. Susanne Reiterer at the Institute of Linguistics of the Faculty of Philological and Cultural Studies, is offering a four-year position for a university assistant (PhD position, “pre-doc”) at the University of Vienna.
The position involves a strong interest into phonaesthetics, i.e. the development, implementation and evaluation of behavioural and EEG experiments in the small, interdisciplinary field of phonaesthetics, potentially to be expanded into neuroaesthetics. Specifically, an interest into the phon-aesthetic properties of second language learning, sound symbolism, crosslinguistic phonological comparisons, psychoacoustics and psychotypology is expected.
The relatively newly developed “Vienna phonaesthetics group” is concerned with psychoacoustic, phonetic, psychological, cognitive, sociolinguistic, neuro-physiological and pedagogical aspects of foreign language learning and processing. In particular, it focuses on the question of why we find beauty and acoustic pleasure in listening to and learning certain languages. (https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnhum.2021.578594/full). The experimental methods should comprise EEG, psychophysiology and behavioural methods.
The PhD candidate will be embedded in the Vienna Doctoral School for Cognition, Behavior and Neuroscience (VDS CoBeNe) at the University of Vienna (https://vds-cobene.univie.ac.at). The main goal of VDS CoBeNe is quality assurance in PhD training and education and the promotion of inter- and transdisciplinary knowledge exchange.



The employment contract is initially limited to 1.5 years and is automatically extended to a total of 4 years, unless the employer declares non-renewal after 12 months at the latest.



Duration of employment: 4 year/s

Extent of Employment: 30.0 hours/week
Job grading in accordance with collective bargaining agreement: §48 VwGr. B1 Grundstufe (praedoc) with relevant work experience determining the assignment to a particular salary grade.

Job Description:
Participation in research, teaching and administration:
- Participation in research projects / research studies
- Participation in publications / academic articles / presentations
- We expect the successful candidate to sign a doctoral thesis agreement within 12-18 months.
- Participation in teaching and independent teaching of courses as defined by the collective agreement
- Supervision of students
- Involvement in the organisation of meetings, conferences, symposiums
- Involvement in the department administration as well as in teaching and research administration

Profile:
- University Master degree (MA, Msc) in psychology, language sciences, or cognitive neurosciences or comparable fields
- Theoretical and practical experience with behavioral (e.g. eye-tracking, online testing) and/or neurophysiological methods (e.g. EEG, fMRI, psychophysiological measurements)
- Excellent knowledge about statistical data evaluation methods (e.g. linear models)
- Computer skills: good data management skills/ some programming
- High written and oral expression skills
- Excellent command of written and spoken English
- At least basic command of written and spoken German/ willingness to learn German


Desirable qualifications are
- Experience in working in experimental psychology / linguistics
- Knowledge of university processes and structures
- Experience abroad
- Basic experience in academic writing / publications



Application documents

- Letter of Motivation including ideas for a prospective doctoral project proposal
- Curriculum vitae
- List of publications, evidence of teaching experience (if available)
- Degree certificates
- Contact details of at least two potential referees


Research fields:

Main research field	Special research fields	Importance
Psychology	Cognitive psychology;Cognitive science	SHOULD
Linguistics and Literature	Neurolinguistics;Phonetics;Psycholinguistics	SHOULD
Neurosciences	Psychophysiology	CAN

Education:

Educational institution	Educational level	Special subject	Importance
University	Natural Sciences	Other and interdisciplinary Natural Sciences	CAN
University	Humanities	Linguistics and Literature	SHOULD
University	Social sciences	Psychology	SHOULD

Languages:

Language	Language level	Importance
English	Excellent knowledge	MUST
German	Basic knowledge	CAN

Computer-Skills:

Type of computer skills	Specified computer skills	Importance
Programming language	Others	SHOULD

Applications including a letter of motivation (German or English) should be submitted via the Job Center to the University of Vienna ( http://jobcenter.univie.ac.at) no later than 31.05.2023, mentioning reference number 14110.

For further information please contact Reiterer, Susanne Maria +43-1-4277-44184.

The University pursues a non-discriminatory employment policy and values equal opportunities, as well as diversity ( http://diversity.univie.ac.at/). The University lays special emphasis on increasing the number of women in senior and in academic positions. Given equal qualifications, preference will be given to female applicants.

Human Resources and Gender Equality of the University of Vienna
Reference number: 14110
E-Mail: jobcenter@univie.ac.at
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