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Postdoctoral researcher on Afrikaans derivational morphology

  • //applyindex.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/belgium.png Belgium
  • University/Institute Name KU Leuven
  • Attendance Type On Campus (Full Time)
  • Position DurationSee Position Description
  • Position Funding Type Postdoc Salary or Fellowship
  • Application deadlineDecember 17, 2025
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Position Details (Postdoc)

The research group Formal and Computational Linguistics (ComForT) and the Center for Research in Syntax, Semantics, and Phonology (CRISSP) at KU Leuven have a vacancy for a postdoctoral researcher in formal linguistics. The researcher will be part of the project "Categories and categorization in Afrikaans and Dutch" (CatCAD).
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Responsibilities

CatCaD focuses on the linguistic units typically called ‘nouns’ and ‘verbs’. We ask whether nouns and verbs can be decomposed into smaller grammatical primitives and we approach this question from the point of view of nominal and verbal morphology. Against the backdrop of existing typological and formal research on the crosslinguistic manifestation and acquisition of nouns and verbs, we undertake a detailed, in‐depth investigation of Afrikaans and Dutch, closely related languages—thus allowing for fine‐grained comparison—while at the same time varying considerably in their morphology and lexicon, their language contact situation, and the level of bi/multilingualism of their speakers. The project has two work packages that focus on verbal and nominal morphology respectively, and one that brings together the insights from those two and builds towards an overarching theory of nominal and verbal categorization. The CatCAD team consists of Jeroen van Craenenbroeck, Theresa Biberauer (Cambridge/Stellenbosch), Cora Cavirani‐Pots (Cambridge), Fien Croux (PhD‐student) and 1 postdoctoral researcher. The PhD-student will focus primarily on Dutch and the postdoctoral researcher on Afrikaans. A detailed description of the project can be found here:https://www.crissp.be/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/CatCAD_project.pdf

Profile

  • a PhD degree in Linguistics
  • native or near-native fluency in Afrikaans
  • a curious, enterprising, and creative mind
  • excellent analytical skills
  • fluency in both written and spoken English
  • an interest in relating intricate language data to advanced linguistic theorizing
  • an outstanding track record of academic research, as witnessed by publications and conference presentations
  • an ability to work both independently and to function in a group

Offer

ComForT and CRISSP offer an environment where intellectual creativity and independence are encouraged to thrive. They foster the lively exchange of ideas, and provide strong intellectual, moral, and logistical support to its PhD students, postdocs, and other collaborators.
This vacancy concerns a two-year position at 80% employment. The starting date of this position is flexible. The postdoctoral researcher will need to reside in Belgium. He/She will be located in Leuven but with frequent activities in Brussels.
Remuneration is in accordance with the official Belgian scales for academic personnel and bursaries, which offer internationally highly competitive pay (see the KU Leuven jobsite for more information). Depending on the profile of the selected candidate, the contract will be for aPostdoctoral scholarship holder in international mobility or for a Research associate.

Interested?

When applying, please submit (a) a motivation letter, (b) a recent cv, and (c) a sample of your academic writing (paper, dissertation chapter, etc.).

For more information please contact Prof. dr. Jeroen Van Craenenbroeck, mail:.[emailprotected]

KU Leuven strives for an inclusive, respectful and socially safe environment. We embrace diversity among individuals and groups as an asset. Open dialogue and differences in perspective are essential for an ambitious research and educational environment. In our commitment to equal opportunity, we recognize the consequences of historical inequalities. We do not accept any form of discrimination based on, but not limited to, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, age, ethnic or national background, skin colour, religious and philosophical diversity, neurodivergence, employment disability, health, or socioeconomic status. For questions about accessibility or support offered, we are happy to assist you at this email address.

Research Areas & Fields of Study involved in the position

Position Start Date

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