Doctoral position in Computational Linguistics

Ref PAR 2020/1484

The University of Gothenburg tackles society’s challenges with diverse knowledge. 53 500 students and 6 500 employees make the university a large and inspiring place to work and study. Strong research and attractive study programmes attract scientists and students from around the world. With new knowledge and new perspectives, the University contributes to a better future.

The Department of Philosophy, Linguistics and Theory of Science at the Faculty of Arts has about 100 staff members and a student body corresponding to about 350 full-time equivalents. It is home to a large number of national and international research projects and offers courses and degree programs for philosophers, logicians, linguists, language technologists, theorists of science, historians of philosophy, philologists and philosophy teachers. The Department also arranges doctoral education and development work in its various academic domains.

The Centre for Linguistic Theory and Studies in Probability (CLASP) is based in FLoV at the University of Gothenburg, and is funded by a 10 year grant from the Swedish Research Council (2015-2025). CLASP is devoted to research and advanced training in the application of probabilistic modelling and machine learning methods to core issues in linguistic theory and cognition. It also addresses topics in dialogue and linguistic interaction. For a description of CLASP see https://gu-clasp.github.io/

Subject

Computational Linguistics

Job assignments

The successful candidate is expected to devote her or his time primarily to the completion of obligatory course work and to write a doctoral dissertation. He or she may, however, also undertake a limited amount of teaching, administration or research not directly connected to her or his dissertation topic. Such duties extend the position accordingly. As the position is funded in part by a research grant from the Swedish Research Council the successful candidate should write her or his doctoral thesis within one of the CLASP’s core areas and the research should fit in within the research program of the centre. People working on one or more of this areas as well as their interface, are strongly encouraged to apply.

More specifically, people in CLASP are currently conducting research in linguistics and computational linguistics using ideas from the following research areas:

• Type Theory (or logics) and probability
• Machine Learning including Deep Learning and Neural Networks
• Theorem Proving and Bayesian Reasoning 
• Formal Models of Dialogue and Linguistic Interaction
• Combining logical and Machine Learning/Deep Learning approaches
• Models combining language and perception

Applicants with interests in these or related domains are encouraged to apply. The doctoral student is also expected to participate in the department’s activities, such as workshops, seminars and conferences.

Eligibility

The general entry requirements for third-cycle (doctoral) programs are: a second-cycle qualification/degree and at least 240 higher education (HE) credits for courses of which at least 60 HE credits are awarded in the second-cycle; or equivalent training either in Sweden or abroad.

In addition, admission to the third-cycle programmer in Computational Linguistics at the University of Gothenburg also requires:

At least 30 credits from second-cycle courses in subject area 1 (Computational Linguistics, Language Technology, or Natural Language Processing), including a thesis of at least 15 credits, or equivalent qualifications,

or

At least 30 credits from second-cycle courses in subject area 2 (Linguistics or Cognitive Science), including a thesis of at least 15 credits, plus at least 30 credits from first or second level courses in subject area 1 (Computational Linguistics, Language Technology, or Natural Language Processing) or subject area 3 (Computer Science, Logic, or Mathematics), or equivalent qualifications

or        

At least 30 credits from second-cycle courses in subject area 3 (Computer Science, Logic or Mathematics), including a thesis of at least 15 credits, plus at least 30 credits from first or second-level courses in subject area 2 (Linguistics or Cognitive Science) or subject area 1 (Computational Linguistics, Language Technology, or Natural Language Processing), or equivalent qualifications.

The necessary English skills that are needed in order to be able to benefit from compulsory parts of the course and to be able to actively participate in seminars and similar activities, are also required.

For further information about the general and specific requirements please refer to study syllabus at the following link:

Assessment

Following the Higher Education Ordinance Ch.7, applicants will be assessed based on their estimated ability to benefit from the study programme and on the Department’s resources to supervise them.

To facilitate the selection process, applicants must submit:

1. Thesis and degree projects
2. A project draft describing the applicant’s desired focus of research as well as which theories, methods and material they are planning to use.

Admissions and selections are conditional on the Department’s resources to supervise within the doctoral student’s focus of research as well as the compatibility of the candidate’s project proposal with CLASP’s areas of research. In addition to the assessment of the submitted application the process may also include interviews. For a more detailed account of the selection process please refer to the study syllabus above.

Employment

Type of employment: Fixed-term employment

Extent: 100 %

Location: Department of Philosophy, Linguistics and Theory of Science, Gothenburg

First day of employment: By agreement

Apart from his or her own third-cycle education, the successful applicant may also be expected to do service in education, research (unrelated to the thesis) and administration. The employment is for one year. It can be extended with a maximum of two years at a time. The total employment cannot exceed four years third cycle education, full time.

Appointment procedure

Selection, interviews and assessment is made by a recruitment group at the department. A list of top-ranked applicants is then presented based on the information provided by the applicants (based on merit, quality of submitted works, quality of research proposal, and availability of qualified supervisors). The top-ranked candidates may be invited to interviews (in Gothenburg or via video link).

For further information regarding the position

Ana Maria Mora Marquez, Associate head of department, ana.maria.mora.marquez@gu.se

Jennifer Stråle, HR Administrator, jennifer.strale@gu.se

Unions

Union representatives at the University of Gothenburg:
https://www.gu.se/en/about-the-university/work-at-the-university-of-gothenburg/how-to-apply

Information for International Applicants

Choosing a career in a foreign country is a big step. Thus, to give you a general idea of what we and Gothenburg have to offer in terms of benefits and life in general for you and your family/spouse/partner please visit:

How to apply

In order to apply for a position at the University of Gothenburg, you have to register an account in our online recruitment system. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that the application is complete in accordance with the instructions in the job advertisement, and that it is submitted before the deadline. The selection of candidates is made on the basis of the qualifications registered in the application.

Complementary documents, such as publications/books should be sent in two copies to the following address and marked with reference number. University of Gothenburg, Att: HR Administrator, FLoV, Box 200, SE-405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden.

Applications should be written in English.

Closing date: 2021-06-07

The University of Gothenburg promotes equal opportunities, equality and diversity.

Applications will be destroyed or returned (upon request) two years after the decision of employment has become final. Applications from the employed and from those who appeal the decision will not be returned.

In connection to this recruitment, we have already decided which recruitment channels we should use. We therefore decline further contact with vendors, recruitment and staffing companies.

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