PhD student in Phonetics

at the Department of linguistics. Closing date: 15 april 2023.

The Department of Linguistics conducts research and offers education in a number of areas such as child language development, computational linguistics, general linguistics, multilingualism in the deaf and hard of hearing, phonetics and sign language. The department hosts three infrastructures, Språkstudion Language Learning Resource Centre, the Phonetics Laboratory and SUBIC Stockholm University Brain Imaging Center, and several research groups conduct research in experimental paradigms related to the mentioned infrastructures.

Project description
The position is linked to the research profile phonetics. This implies that the research plan attached to the application must have an experimental phonetics topic linked to research on acoustic and/or physiological (e.g. breathing, phonation, articulation) aspects of speech and conversation conducted at the Department of Linguistics.

Qualification requirements
In order to meet the general entry requirements, the applicant must have completed a second-cycle degree, completed courses equivalent to at least 240 higher education credits, of which 60 credits must be in the second cycle, or must have otherwise acquired equivalent knowledge in Sweden or elsewhere.

In order to meet the specific entry requirements for doctoral studies in linguistics, the general syllabus stipulates that an applicant must have received a passing grade on course work of at least 30 higher education credits from the second cycle in Linguistics, including a degree project of at least 15 credits on a topic relevant to the proposed research plan. In addition, the applicant is required to be proficient in the language of the proposed doctoral thesis (English, Swedish or Swedish Sign Language). Proficiency is demonstrated in the research plan and other relevant parts of the application (such as undergraduate theses, publications, grades, certificates and an interview).

The entry requirements can also be met by students who have acquired equivalent knowledge in Sweden or elsewhere. Assessment of eligibility is decided on in accordance with the department's local admission procedure and the department's decision and delegation procedure. 

The qualification requirements must be met by the deadline for applications. Induvidual plan for studies in linguistics (in swesdish).

Selection
Selection among the eligible candidates will be based on their capacity to benefit from the training. Selection is made by the Department Board, applying the following assessment criteria:

• Education in general. Assessment is made with regard to both depth and breadth in previous education
• Scholarly production. On the basis of the applicant’s degree projects from the first and second cycle and, where applicable, other scholarly production, the applicant’s ability to benefit from the training is assessed according to the following criteria: critical ability, analytical skills, creativity, independence and scholarly precision. The time aspect is also considered, that is, to what extent the applicant has demonstrated an ability to complete previous academic projects within specified time limits. In addition, based on a comparison of previous academic output, an assessment is made of the applicant’s academic development
• The applicant must describe his/her proposed field of research in a research plan. The dissertation project must focus on phonetics. The plan should not exceed 3 numbered pages A4 in Arial, font size 11, with single line spacing and 2.5 cm margins, references and any images and examples included. The research plan should contain one or more research problems and an outline of the research project. The research plan is assessed on the basis of: relevance, originality, and potential for completion within the specified time limits (i.e. a period equivalent to four years of full-time study for a doctoral degree)
• Available supervisor resources
• Teamwork skills. The applicant's ability to collaborate is assessed on the basis of, for example, references, certificates or interviews.

In selecting applicants for postgraduate education in linguistics, the department board must take into account rules and regulations of the Faculty of Humanities. In addition to the above selection criteria, the following will be of great importance in the assessment:

• Relevance of the proposed research project to the department's research environment
• Experience in research-related work within phonetics.

Admission Regulations for Doctoral Studies at Stockholm University are available at: www.su.se/rules and regulations.

Terms of employment
Only a person who will be or has already been admitted to a third-cycle programme may be appointed to a doctoral studentship.

The term of the initial contract may not exceed one year. The employment may be extended for a maximum of two years at a time. However, the total period of employment may not exceed the equivalent of four years of full-time study. 

Doctoral students should primarily devote themselves to their own education, but may engage in teaching, research, and administration corresponding to a maximum of 20 % of a full-time position. For this particular position, the doctoral student is expected to perform departmental duties corresponding to 20 % of full time. Where applicable, the total time of the appointment is extended to correspond to a full-time doctoral programme for four years.

The proportion of departmental duties may be unevenly distributed across the duration of the doctoral programme.

Please note that admission decisions cannot be appealed.

Stockholm University strives to be a workplace free from discrimination and with equal opportunities for all.

Contact
For more information, please contact the Head of Department Mattias Heldner, telephone: +46 8 16 19 88, mattias.heldner@ling.su.se. For questions about the doctoral programme, contact the Director of Studies for postgraduate education, Bernhard Wälchli, +46 8 16 23 44, studierektorfu@ling.su.se.

Union representatives
Ingrid Lander (Saco-S), telephone: +46 708 16 26 64, saco@saco.su.se, Alejandra Pizarro Carrasco (Fackförbundet ST/OFR), telephone: +46 8 16 34 89, alejandra@st.su.se, seko@seko.su.se (SEKO), and PhD student representative, doktorandombud@sus.su.se.

Application
Apply for the PhD student position at Stockholm University's recruitment system. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that the application is complete in accordance with the instructions in the job advertisement, and that it is submitted before the deadline.

Please include the following information with your application

• Your contact details and personal data
• Your highest degree
• Your language skills
• Contact details for 2–3 referees (please, specify their relationship to you as an applicant and what they are expected to testify to or comment on)

 and, in addition, please include the following documents

• Cover letter
• CV – degrees and other completed courses, work experience and a list of degree projects/theses
• Dissertation plan/research proposal, inclusive of the following:
  • research question(s)
  • brief background (research context and relationship to own interests/qualifications)
  • method and data
  • expected results (specify the scope, especially if the results are mainly descriptive)
  • time plan

Note that the proposal must address the following questions: why your project is suitable to be carried out at the Department of Linguistics at Stockholm University, how you intend to contribute to the research environment at the department with your research project, what makes you particularly suitable (to carry out the proposed research project).

• Degree certificates and grades confirming that you meet the general and specific entry requirements (no more than 6 files)
• Degree projects/theses (no more than 6 files).

The instructions for applicants are available at: How to apply for a position.

You are welcome to apply!

Stockholm University contributes to the development of sustainable democratic society through knowledge, enlightenment and the pursuit of truth.