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PhD position in Sociolinguistics

Posted 2 Apr 2025
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Work experience
1 to 10 years
Full-time / part-time
Full-time
Job function
Salary
€2,901 - €3,707 per month
Degree level
Required languages
English (Fluent)
Dutch (Fluent)
Deadline
1 May 2025 00:00

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Job description

Applications are invited for a fully funded four-year PhD position in the field of Sociolinguistics. The planned project is anticipated to focus on the role of exposure to fictional narratives in willingness to adopt gender-inclusive language.

The PhD Project

Linguistic strategies for integrating gender-inclusive language vary across languages. In Dutch, this process is in its early stages, particularly regarding pronominal change. While they have been taken up by the LGBTQ+ community and have gained some institutional recognition, the non-binary pronouns “die” and “hen” remain contested in general usage. Resistance to these pronouns is shaped by multiple factors, including cognitive load, familiarity, and speaker attitudes. For example, the pronoun “die” may be more easily integrated in usage due to its existing grammatical function as a demonstrative. Uptake is further influenced by group identity and individual beliefs. To date, sociolinguistic research has largely focused on pronoun selection, comprehension, and attitudes. However, little is known about the factors that drive attitude change and intended future usage. This PhD project aims to address that gap by investigating whether narrative exposure—specifically, encountering gender-inclusive pronouns in stories featuring gender non-conforming characters—can promote greater acceptance and usage of these forms. The project offers the opportunity to contribute to current debates in sociolinguistics and to engage with timely questions concerning language change, identity, and inclusion. It allows for methodological flexibility, and candidates will be encouraged to develop their own approach within the broader research framework. This project would suit candidates with an interest in sociolinguistics, psycholinguistics, and, more generally, language and identity studies.

Under the joint supervision of Dr Morana Lukač and Dr Suzanne Manizza Roszak, with Prof Remco Knooihuizen as the professor of record, the successful candidate will develop their own specific project within these parameters, depending on the candidate’s interests and experience. This PhD project offers a unique opportunity to acquire valuable research experience in this field while working in an international environment.

You will be asked to:

  • Conduct research independently
  • Present your research at academic conferences
  • Publish a series of articles stemming from your research
  • Complete the PhD in the specified timeframe (4 years)
  • Potentially teach within the department of European Languages and Cultures and/or within the Minor in Gender and Diversity in Science, Society and Culture

Organisation

Since its foundation in 1614, the University of Groningen has established an international reputation as a dynamic and innovative university offering high-quality teaching and research. Its 27,000 students are encouraged to develop their own individual talents through challenging study- and career paths. The University of Groningen is an international centre of knowledge: It belongs to the best research universities in Europe and is allied with prestigious partner universities and networks worldwide.

The Faculty of Arts is a large, dynamic faculty in the heart of the city of Groningen. It has more than 5000 students and 700 staff members, who are working at the frontiers of knowledge every day. The Faculty offers a wide range of degree programmes: 15 Bachelor's programmes and over 35 Master's specialisations. Our research, which is internationally widely acclaimed, covers Archaeology, Cultural Studies, History, International Relations, Language and Literary Studies, Linguistics and Media and Journalism Studies.

Qualifications

  • A Research Master’s or Master’s degree in any area related to the project
  • Excellent academic writing skills in English
  • Knowledge of Dutch will be an advantage
  • Experience with experimental methods will be an advantage

Organisation

Conditions of employment

In accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, the University of Groningen offers you:

  • A salary of € 2,901 gross per month in the first year, up to a maximum of € 3,707 gross per month in the final year, based on a full-time position
  • A holiday allowance of 8% gross annual income
  • An 8.3% end-of-the-year allowance
  • A temporary 1.0 FTE appointment for a specified period of four years (The candidate will first be appointed for twelve months. After six months, an assessment will take place of the candidate’s results and the progress of the PhD project, in order to decide whether employment will be continued.)
  • A total of 0.4 FTE teaching spread over the second, third and fourth year of their appointment
  • Excellent work-life balance
  • Willingness to move and reside in the Netherlands

The appointment will commence on 1 October 2025 at the very latest. We allow 3 months from selection in case of VISA applications.

De Rijksuniversiteit Groningen is een internationaal georiënteerde universiteit, geworteld in Groningen, de City of Talent. Al 400 jaar staat kwaliteit centraal. Met resultaat: op invloedrijke ranglijsten bevindt de RUG zich op een positie rond de top honderd.
Deze bedrijfspagina is automatisch gegenereerd en bevat daarom nog weinig informatie. Je vindt meer informatie over Rijksuniversiteit Groningen op hun website: http://rug.nl

Education
Groningen
7,000 employees