Position Statement

Applications are invited for a two year Postdoctoral Research Fellowships in The Cairns Institute to work as part of a team headed by Professor Alexandra Y. Aikhenvald and Professor R.M.W. Dixon, within the framework of their joint project ‘World through the prism of language: a cross-linguistic view of genders, noun classes and classifiers’.

Applicants must have a doctorate or equivalent qualification, preferably awarded within the last five years. Cases in which the period since the award of the doctorate is in excess of five years may also be considered, as will applications from candidates whose thesis is currently under examination. Experience of linguistic fieldwork is required and ideally the appointee will have already completed a grammatical description of a language that has not previously been described (not their native language) in terms of basic linguistic theory. A Fellowship will not normally be awarded to an applicant who already holds an appointment within the University. Ideally, we are seeking to make an appointment to work on a language from either South America, New Guinea or from the Tibeto-Burman family. However excellent applicants with primary interest in another area will be considered. The appointee will be required to undertake extensive fieldwork and will produce a comprehensive description of a previously undescribed language.

Duties and Accountabilities

The key duty is to conduct research in anthropological linguistics, with particular attention to language analysis, producing high quality publications in refereed outlets.

Key Selection Criteria

1. 1.

   Thorough professional training in linguistics, with special reference to language-description, anthropological linguistics and linguistic typology;

2. 2.

   PhD (conferred or pending) in descriptive linguistics, in terms of basic linguistic theory;

3. 3.

   Demonstrated ability to work, under direction, as a member of a research team;

4. 4.

   Demonstrated ability to work to a timetable, and produce results on time;

5. 5.

   Demonstrated ability and commitment to disseminate the results of research in high quality publications within agreed timeframes; evidence of high level written, oral and interpersonal communication skills to diverse audiences.

Desirable Selection Criteria

1. 1.

   Ideally, to have produced a description of a language, preferably

(a) a language for which there had previously been no good description; and

(b) a language other than that of which they are a native speaker;

1. 2.

   Some training in anthropology.

Enquiries

Classification Descriptors for Research Employees – Academic Equivalent

Method of Application

Applicants must provide a full statement of qualifications and career, a statement systematically addressing the Selection Criteria, a completed Summary Application Form, the name and addresses of three persons who have consented to act as referees and address it to the Recruitment Officer, Faculty of Arts, Education and Social Sciences telephone: (07) 4781 6207; e-mail aesshr@jcu.edu.au

Alternatively the application may be lodged electronically by using the on-line facility Apply online for this job