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PhD Position How Literacy Development Shapes Child Second Language LearningFaculty/Services: Faculty of Humanities
Educational level: Master
Function type: Academic Staff
Closing date: 29 January 2023
Vacancy number: 11036
The Amsterdam Center for Language and Communication (ACLC) currently has a vacant PhD position as part of the project “How literacy shapes language learning”, led by main researcher Prof. Sible Andringa and funded by the Dutch Research Council (NWO). The Amsterdam Center for Language and Communication is one of the five Research Schools within the Amsterdam Institute for Humanities Research. Within the University of Amsterdam, the ACLC represents the thriving linguistics community, which has ranked highest in continental Europe on the QS World University Rankings by Subject for years. The ACLC is home to several research groups. The current project falls under the Language Learning, Literacy and Multilingualism research group.
What are you going to do?
In the Netherlands and elsewhere, there are substantial groups of immigrant children and adults that face the difficult task of learning to read and write while acquiring a second language (L2). We know that literacy imbues all kinds of cognitive changes, but we do not understand well yet what these changes mean for how (effectively) a language is learned. This project focuses specifically on the relationship between literacy, meta-linguistic cognition, and language acquisition by charting and comparing the language acquisition processes of different groups of young emerging readers, most notably immigrant children of varying ages learning Dutch as second language. The goals are to study 1) how metalinguistic ability develops in relation to increasing literacy skills and cognitive maturation; 2) how this development affects the ability to learn a second language and 3) how this development interacts with individual difference variables such as cognitive aptitude for second language learning and socio-affective variables. This project will be conducted within the Dutch educational context and envisages a mix of methods ranging from descriptive and qualitative techniques to quantitative psycholinguistic experimentation, including the use of eye-tracking methods and intensive longitudinal data collection in time series designs. In doing so, this project aims to advance theories of bilingual development and second language acquisition as well as improve L2 learning and instruction for child emerging readers.
You will be part of a team of researchers that take on the challenge of increasing our understanding of second language acquisition processes in emerging readers. Other members of the team will be a PhD student investigating language acquisition processes in adult emerging readers and a Postdoc investigating how emerging readers begin to incorporate the written modality into their language learning process. You will also be supported by project assistants and knowledgeable PhD supervisors.
Tasks and responsibilities:
What do you have to offer?
You take a strong interest in the topic of this project and are highly motivated to carry out your own project within the context of the larger research team. Studying populations that cannot read and write requires flexibility, creativity, excellent methodological skills and sensitivity for the specific challenges that these groups face when learning a second language.
Your experience and profile:
What can we offer you?
We offer a temporary employment contract for the period of 48 months. The first contract will be for 16 months, with an extension for the following 32 months, contingent on a positive performance evaluation within the first 12 months. The employment contract is for 38 hours (1 fte) a week. The preferred starting date is 1 May 2023.
The gross monthly salary, based on 38 hours per week and relevant experience, ranges from € 2,541 up to a maximum of € 3,247. This sum does not include the 8% holiday allowance and the 8,3% year-end allowance. A favourable tax agreement, the ‘30% ruling', may apply to non-Dutch applicants. The Collective Labour Agreement of Dutch Universities is applicable.
What else do we offer
About us
The University of Amsterdam is the Netherlands' largest university, offering the widest range of academic programmes. At the UvA, 30,000 students, 6,000 staff members and 3,000 PhD candidates study and work in a diverse range of fields, connected by a culture of curiosity.
The Faculty of Humanities provides education and conducts research with a strong international profile in a large number of disciplines in de field of language and culture. Located in the heart of Amsterdam, the faculty maintains close ties with many cultural institutes in the capital city. Research and teaching staff focus on interdisciplinary collaboration and are active in several teaching programmes.
Want to know more about our organisation? Read more about working at the University of Amsterdam.
Any questions?
Do you have any questions, or do you require additional information? Please contact:
Job application
We look forward to receiving your application. You can apply online via the link. The deadline for applying for this vacancy is 29 January 2023.
Applications should include the following information (submitted in one .pdf ):
Only complete applications received within the response period via the link below will be considered.
The interviews will most likely be held in third week of February and a home assignment may be part of the recruitment procedure.
The UvA is an equal-opportunity employer. We prioritize diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for everyone. We value a spirit of enquiry and perseverance, provide the space to keep asking questions, and promote a culture of curiosity and creativity.
No agencies please.
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