The University of Freiburg, Germany, invites applications for 5 fully-funded Ph.D.

scholarships on the topic of frequency effects in language, beginning no earlier than

April 1, 2014, and no later than September 1, 2014. Successful applicants will be

members of the Research Training Group on “Frequency effects in language”

(Graduiertenkolleg GRK 1624/2), which after successful evaluation of its work by the

German Research Foundation (DFG) is entering its second funding period.

Synopsis: Frequency is assumed to be an important determinant in usage-based

models of language change, language acquisition and language processing. In the

Ph.D. projects this determinant will be investigated with a view both to its explanatory

potential and its limitations. The proposed research combines quantitativecorpuslinguistic

methods with experimental psycho- and neurolinguistics in the analysis

of standard and non-standard data from a wide range of European languages. This

agenda builds on cutting-edge research in usage-based linguistics, carried out both

internationally and in the Research Training Group’s own work during its first funding

period (October 2009 to March 2014).

Linguistics in Freiburg: The University of Freiburg has created a unique

infrastructure and environment for research in linguistics and cognitive science,

especially for young scholars at Ph.D. and postdoctoral level. Key elements in this

environment are strong linguistics sections in the Departments of English, German,

Romance Languages and Slavic Studies, several Masters programmes in linguistics

and cognitive science, the Hermann Paul Center for Linguistics (HPCL), and the

Hermann-Paul-Graduate School of Language Sciences (HPSL), which is jointly

operated with the neighbouring University of Basel.

We offer:

o a full grant of 13,200 € per annum for a period of up to 3 years

o additional travel grants and funding for materials and equipment

o funding for inviting guest scholars and organising workshops

o an interdisciplinary teaching programme that enables you to carry out state-ofthe-

art research in usage-based linguistics

o an efficient supervision and mentoring programme

o a high-profile research environment bridging the gap between linguistics and the

cognitive-psycholinguistic sciences

o a vibrant community of Ph.D. students and post-docs in the language sciences

o one of the leading European universities (both in teaching and research;

member of the League of European Research Universities)

o a campus in the city centre with a highly international atmosphere

o one of the most attractive university towns in Germany (total population: about

220,000), capital of the Black Forest, bordering on France and Switzerland

We expect:

o an excellent first degree in linguistics, cognitive science, or a related field

o full commitment to a Ph.D. project on frequency effects in language

o excellent command (written and spoken) of either English or German, the

Group’s two working languages; basic German for routine conversation is

helpful, but not a requirement

Deadline for application: 31 January 2014

A list of possible Ph.D. topics is provided on the Group’s website. Applicants are also

welcome to suggest their own topics, where suitable, and to develop them in

discussions with potential supervisors.

For more information on the Special Research Training Group, the nature and range of

Ph.D. projects envisaged, and details of the application process, please visit the

following website:

http://frequenz.uni-freiburg.de/bewerbung

Come and join one of the currently most vibrant linguistics scenes in Europe!