PhD candidate in Formal Semantics

The Institute for Logic, Language and Computation (ILLC) is a research institute at the University of Amsterdam, in which researchers from the Faculty of Science and the Faculty of Humanities collaborate. Its central research area is the study of fundamental principles of encoding, transmission and comprehension of information. Research at ILLC is inter- disciplinary, and aims at bringing together insights from various disciplines concerned with information and information processing, such as logic, mathematics, computer science, linguistics, cognitive science, artificial intelligence and philosophy. Research is organized in three research groups: Logic and Computation (LoCo), Logic and Language (LoLa) and Language and Computation (LaCo). Check here for an overview of the research being carried out in the different groups. For the research carried out by the individual staff members of ILLC, see their personal pages via People at ILLC.

The Inquisitive Semantics group, part of the Logic and Language research programme, is looking for a PhD candidate with an interest in developing new logical tools within the inquisitive semantics framework for the analysis of quantification in natural language. The ILLC provides an excellent environment for research in this area with world-class faculty in logic and formal semantics, many with a particular interest in quantification.

Project description

The PhD position is part of an ERC Starting Grant project on Quantification and Modality in the Realm of Questions. The Inquisitive Semantics website contains more information about the aims of the project.

The PhD candidate will be expected to fulfil the following tasks:

• complete and defend a PhD thesis within the official appointment duration of four years;
• regularly present intermediate research results at international workshops and conferences, and publish them in proceedings and journals;
• participate in the organisation of research activities and events at the ILLC, such as conferences, workshops and colloquia;
• assist in teaching activities at the ILLC.

Requirements

The PhD candidate should have:

• a Master's degree with excellent grades in a relevant field such as logic, linguistics, philosophy, or computer science;
• a strong background in type-logical formal semantics;
• preferably acquaintance with inquisitive semantics and generalized quantifier theory;
• good academic writing and presentation skills;
• good social and organisational skills.

Further information

For more information about the position, please contact:

• Floris Roelofsen or
• Ivano Ciardelli

Appointment

Appointment (1,0 fte) is on a temporary basis for a period of four years. At first, a contract will be given for 18 months. If positively evaluated, the contract will be extended for 30 months.

On the basis of a full-time appointment (38 hours per week), the gross monthly salary amounts to €2,173 during the first year, rising to €2,778 during the fourth year. The Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities is applicable.

Starting date: 1 September 2016 (later starting date negotiable). 

Job application

Applications should include the following information, in separate pdf files (not zipped), using surname, initials and a self-evident word as file names, e.g., Smith J CV:

• a curriculum vitae (including an url for download of M.Sc. thesis -- if already available);
• a letter of motivation (at most 1 page) explaining why you are interested in this position;
• a research statement (at most 2 pages), explaining your research interests and experience;
• a list of all graduate courses taken, with a transcript of grades;
• a report from an undergraduate research project you have done;
• the name and contact details (including email address) of two – three referees who can provide details about your profile (one of whom should be the main supervisor of your Master thesis).

Completed applications should be submitted by 15 March 2016 via application-science@uva.nl and should state your name and vacancy number 16-041 in the subject field. The committee cannot guarantee that late or incomplete applications will be considered.

No agencies please