NL
EN

Postdoc Position on the Typology of Postverbal Negation, in a Multi-Method Crosslinguistic Project

  • Faculty of Humanities
  • 15541
  • PhD
  • €3,706 - €5,760
  • 30.4 hours
  • Closes on
    08-11-2026
Apply

Postdoc Position on the Typology of Postverbal Negation, in a Multi-Method Crosslinguistic Project

  • Faculty of Humanities
  • 15541
  • PhD
  • €3,706 - €5,760
  • 30.4 hours
  • Closes on
    08-11-2026
Apply

Working at the UvA

Come work with us

In this project you collaborate in a small international team of (psycho)linguists and cognitive scientists on the evolution and processing of negation in language. Together, we investigate the cognitive underpinnings of why most languages prefer to express the negator early rather than late in the utterance. Alongside one of the PIs and another part-time postdoctoral researcher, you will carry out a typological study on languages with and without late negation, with specific attention to languages of Papua, South America, and sub-Saharan Africa. In addition, you will contribute to a multi-methods project including artificial language learning and EEG, as well field-based experiments with speakers of Cha’palaa, an indigenous language of Ecuador.

Working at the UvA

Come work with us

In this project you collaborate in a small international team of (psycho)linguists and cognitive scientists on the evolution and processing of negation in language. Together, we investigate the cognitive underpinnings of why most languages prefer to express the negator early rather than late in the utterance. Alongside one of the PIs and another part-time postdoctoral researcher, you will carry out a typological study on languages with and without late negation, with specific attention to languages of Papua, South America, and sub-Saharan Africa. In addition, you will contribute to a multi-methods project including artificial language learning and EEG, as well field-based experiments with speakers of Cha’palaa, an indigenous language of Ecuador.

All about this vacancy

This is what you will be doing

  • Design and conduct qualitative and quantitative typological research on the typology of (early/late) negation and its structural correlates, in collaboration with one of the PIs and another part-time (20%) postdoctoral researcher;
  • Collaborate with the rest of the team (another PI, PhD candidate, and external partner) in an interdisciplinary project, including (field-based) psycholinguistic experiments;
  • Co-authoring at least three papers and compiling a typological database;
  • Co-organizing and contributing to a summer school and a workshop.

This is what we ask of you

  • PhD in a relevant field: (morpho-syntactic/semantic) typology, cross-linguistic psycholinguistics;
  • Experience with structure of non-WEIRD languages, in particular languages of South-America, Papua, and/or sub-Saharan Africa;
  • Experience with qualitative and quantitative approaches to cross-linguistic variation;
  • Demonstrable affinity with interdisciplinary and (field-based) experimental approaches;
  • A cooperative attitude and excellent communicative skills;
  • Good command of (academic) English;
  • Optional: working knowledge of Spanish.

This is what else we offer you

  • The employment will be for one year. Contingent on a positive performance evaluation the contract will be extended with two years. The preferred starting date is 01 March 2027;
  • Depending on relevant experience, the salary at the start of the employment is between €3.706 and €5.760 euros  gross per month based on full-time employment for a 38-hour working week. In addition, you will receive an 8% holiday allowance and an 8.3% end-of-year allowance. The Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities is applicable.

All about this vacancy

This is what you will be doing

  • Design and conduct qualitative and quantitative typological research on the typology of (early/late) negation and its structural correlates, in collaboration with one of the PIs and another part-time (20%) postdoctoral researcher;
  • Collaborate with the rest of the team (another PI, PhD candidate, and external partner) in an interdisciplinary project, including (field-based) psycholinguistic experiments;
  • Co-authoring at least three papers and compiling a typological database;
  • Co-organizing and contributing to a summer school and a workshop.

This is what we ask of you

  • PhD in a relevant field: (morpho-syntactic/semantic) typology, cross-linguistic psycholinguistics;
  • Experience with structure of non-WEIRD languages, in particular languages of South-America, Papua, and/or sub-Saharan Africa;
  • Experience with qualitative and quantitative approaches to cross-linguistic variation;
  • Demonstrable affinity with interdisciplinary and (field-based) experimental approaches;
  • A cooperative attitude and excellent communicative skills;
  • Good command of (academic) English;
  • Optional: working knowledge of Spanish.

This is what else we offer you

  • The employment will be for one year. Contingent on a positive performance evaluation the contract will be extended with two years. The preferred starting date is 01 March 2027;
  • Depending on relevant experience, the salary at the start of the employment is between €3.706 and €5.760 euros  gross per month based on full-time employment for a 38-hour working week. In addition, you will receive an 8% holiday allowance and an 8.3% end-of-year allowance. The Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities is applicable.

Your place at the UvA

This is where you will be working

This postdoctoral position is part of an NWO-funded Open Competition Large project, led by two PIs: Eva van Lier and Marieke Schouwstra, affiliated with two research schools: the Amsterdam Center for Language and Communication (ACLC) and the Institute for Logic, Language and Computation (ILLC). In addition, our research team includes another (part-time) postdoc, a PhD candidate, and an in international specialist in psycholinguistics.

About the Faculty of Humanities

From modern and classical languages, history, arts and culture, archaeology, religious studies and philosophy to new media, digital humanities, and conservation and restoration, the Faculty of Humanities encompasses a broad spectrum of innovative teaching and research. Based in the historic heart of Amsterdam, it maintains close ties with many partners in the cultural sector, society and the business community. In doing so, it forms part of a humanities hub of international standing.
Find out more about the Faculty of Humanities

Your place at the UvA

This is where you will be working

This is where you will be working

This postdoctoral position is part of an NWO-funded Open Competition Large project, led by two PIs: Eva van Lier and Marieke Schouwstra, affiliated with two research schools: the Amsterdam Center for Language and Communication (ACLC) and the Institute for Logic, Language and Computation (ILLC). In addition, our research team includes another (part-time) postdoc, a PhD candidate, and an in international specialist in psycholinguistics.

About the Faculty of Humanities

From modern and classical languages, history, arts and culture, archaeology, religious studies and philosophy to new media, digital humanities, and conservation and restoration, the Faculty of Humanities encompasses a broad spectrum of innovative teaching and research. Based in the historic heart of Amsterdam, it maintains close ties with many partners in the cultural sector, society and the business community. In doing so, it forms part of a humanities hub of international standing.
Find out more about the Faculty of Humanities

Important to know

Your application & contact

For questions about the position or department, you can contact us during office hours at:

Eva van Lier ([email protected]) and/or Marieke Schouwstra ([email protected])

Application
If you recognize yourself in the profile and are interested in the position, we look forward to receiving your application.

The vacancy closes on 9 November 2026. The first round of interviews will take place on 7 December 2026

Acquisition in response to this vacancy is not appreciated.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

As an employer, the UvA maintains an equal opportunities policy. We value diversity and are fully committed to being a place where everyone feels at home. We nurture inquisitive minds and perseverance and allow room for persistent questioning. With us, curiosity and creativity are the prevailing culture.
Read more
Studies show that women and members of underrepresented groups only apply for jobs if they meet 100% of the qualifications. Do you meet the educational requirements but not yet all of the requested experience? The UvA encourages you to apply anyway.

Important to know

Your application & contact

For questions about the position or department, you can contact us during office hours at:

Eva van Lier ([email protected]) and/or Marieke Schouwstra ([email protected])

Application
If you recognize yourself in the profile and are interested in the position, we look forward to receiving your application.

The vacancy closes on 9 November 2026. The first round of interviews will take place on 7 December 2026

Acquisition in response to this vacancy is not appreciated.
As an employer, the UvA maintains an equal opportunities policy. We value diversity and are fully committed to being a place where everyone feels at home. We nurture inquisitive minds and perseverance and allow room for persistent questioning. With us, curiosity and creativity are the prevailing culture.
Studies show that women and members of underrepresented groups only apply for jobs if they meet 100% of the qualifications. Do you meet the educational requirements but not yet all of the requested experience? The UvA encourages you to apply anyway.

Other interesting vacancies for you

View all vacancies

Other interesting vacancies for you

View all vacancies

Don't miss out on your dream job!

Sign up for a job alert and you'll receive automatic updates about new and relevant vacancies.

Don't miss out on your dream job!

Sign up for a job alert and you'll receive automatic updates about new and relevant vacancies.

This website uses cookies

We, and third parties, use cookies on our website. We use cookies to ensure that our website functions properly, to store your preferences, to gain insight into visitor behavior, but also for marketing and social media purposes (showing personalized advertisements). By clicking 'Accept', you agree to the use of all cookies. In our Cookie Statement. you can read more about the cookies we use and save or change your preferences. By clicking 'Refuse' you only agree to the use of functional cookies.