Position Details

School of English, Drama and Creative Studies in the College of Arts and Law
Location:  University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, UK
Full time starting salary is normally in the range £31,406 to £40,927, with potential progression once in post to £43,434 – PLEASE NOTE as this vacancy is externally funded the maximum starting salary that can be offered is £34,304
Grade 7
Full time
Fixed-term for up to 3 years
Closing Date: 28 August 2022

Background

The Department of English Language and Linguistics seeks to appoint a Post-doctoral Research Fellow to work on the ERC-funded project ‘The dynamics of sign language grammar: Morphology, language change, iconicity and social structure in signing communities’ (or ‘SignMorph’) led by Professor Adam Schembri. SignMorph will focus on key aspects of sign language morphology in (1) ‘established’ macro-community sign languages, (2) ‘established’ micro-community sign languages, and (3) ‘emerging’ sign languages. SignMorph aims to better understand similarities and differences in the grammar of sign languages, and how these are shaped by language-internal and language-external factors. The factors to be investigated in the study include (1) the role of iconicity in mapping grammatical meanings onto form, (2) the apparent recent emergence of many sign languages, and how this short history has impacted on the processes which create grammatical structure, and (3) the sociolinguistic structure of signing communities.

The research fellow will have a PhD in linguistics, psychology, or anthropology (or related fields), high level research skills, high level skills in a sign language (and a willingness to learn British Sign Language), as well as a demonstrated ability to work independently. Experience in range of different approaches to the study of sign languages is welcome (including sign language documentation, typology, corpora, sociolinguistics, ethnography, and/or experimental studies).

The Department of English Language and Linguistics has an outstanding international reputation, with particular strengths in relevant areas such as corpus linguistics, quantitative sociolinguistics, cognitive linguistics, and a growing interest in sign language research and gesture studies. As a member of the Department, the research fellow will join a lively and flourishing research community where they will enjoy opportunities for intellectual and other leadership in a collegiate and highly ambitious environment.

We believe that signed language research may be effectively carried out by researchers from a range of backgrounds. However, in light of the under-representation of deaf scholars and professionals in academia, we are committed to creating opportunities for deaf scholars. In addition to meeting the eligibility requirements, we therefore strongly encourage deaf individuals to apply.

Main Duties/Responsibilities

•    Design research activities to meet the objectives of the SignMorph project
•    Collect research data; this may be through a variety of research methods, such as scientific experimentation and research interviews
•    Analyse and interpret sign language data
•    Apply knowledge in a way which develops new intellectual understanding
•    Disseminate research findings for publication, research seminars etc
•    Supervise students and research assistants on research related work
•    Contribute to developing new models, techniques and methods
•    Undertake management/administration arising from research
•    Contribute to Departmental/School research-related activities and research-related administration
•    Contribute to public engagement activities, often under supervision of a project leader
•    Deal with problems that may affect the achievement of research objectives and deadlines
•    Promotes equality and values diversity acting as a role model and fostering an inclusive working culture.

Person Specification 

•    The research fellow will have (or be near completing) a PhD in linguistics, anthropology, or psychology (or related fields)
•    High level research skills, high level skills in a sign language, as well as a demonstrated ability to work independently
•    Experience in range of different approaches to the study of sign languages is welcome (including sign language documentation, typology, corpora, sociolinguistics, ethnography, and/or experimental studies)
•    High level analytical capability
•    Ability to communicate complex information clearly
•    Fluency in relevant models, techniques or methods and ability to contribute to developing new ones
•    Ability to assess resource requirements and use resources effectively
•    Understanding of and ability to contribute to broader management/administration processes
•    Knowledge of the protected characteristics of the Equality Act 2010, and how to actively ensure in day-to-day activity in own area that those with protected characteristics are treated equally and fairly

For further information, please contact Adam Schembri; a.schembri@bham.ac.uk

Further information about the project: www.signmorph.net

Valuing excellence, sustaining investment
We value diversity and inclusion at the University of Birmingham and welcome applications from all sections of the community and are open to discussions around all forms of flexible working

Primary Location

 GB-GB-Birmingham

Job

 Academic Non-clinical

Organization

 English, Drama and Creative Studies

Schedule

 Temporary

Job Posting

 02.08.2022, 12:00:00 AM

Salary (Pay Basis)

 31,406.00

Maximum Salary

 43,434.00

Advert Close Date

 28.08.2022, 11:59:00 PM