PhD candidate in Formal Semantics

The Institute for Logic, Language and Computation (ILLC) is an interfaculty 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 interdisciplinary, 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, musicology and philosophy. Research is organized in three research groups: Logic and Computation (LoCo), Logic and Language (LoLa) and Language and Computation (LaCo). 

The Inquisitive Semantics group, part of the Logic and Language research program, is looking for a PhD candidate with an interest in inquisitive semantics, dynamic semantics, and type-logical semantics. The University of Amsterdam provides an excellent environment for research in this area with world-class faculty in logic and formal semantics.

Job description

The PhD position is part of a VIDI project on Inquisitive Semantics led by Dr. Floris Roelofsen.

The PhD candidate will be expected to fulfill 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;
• collaborate with researchers in other relevant parts of the ILLC;
• participate in the organisation of research activities and events at the ILLC, such as conferences, workshops and joint publications;
• 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, or philosophy;
• a strong background in type-logical semantics, dynamic semantics, and inquisitive semantics;
• good academic writing and presentation skills;
• good social and organisational skills.

Information

For more information about the position, please contact/see:

• Dr. Floris Roelofsen
• Overview research groups
• Personal pages staff members of ILLC

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 €2,125 during the first year, rising to €2,717 during the fourth year. The  Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities is applicable.

Starting date: As soon as possible before 1 November 2015.

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 relevant);
• 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 and
• the names and contact details of two or three references who can provide further details about you.

Completed applications should be submitted by 12 June 2015 via application-science@uva.nl and should state your name and vacancy number in the subject field. The committee cannot guarantee that late or incomplete applications will be considered.

No agencies please