At the department, there is also the Centre for Linguistic Theory and Studies in Probability (CLASP), funded by a 12 year grant from the Swedish Research Council (2015-2027). 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.

The successful applicant will be employed by the Department of Philosophy, Linguistics, and Theory of science (FloV), as a postdoctoral researcher in the ERC Starting Grant Project: DivCon: Divergence and convergence in dialogue: The dynamic management of mismatches. The project is led by Christine Howes and started in May 2023. For a description of DivCon see the homepage via Christine Howes | University of Gothenburg (gu.se).

Subject area 

Computational Linguistics / Cognitive Science

Subject area description 

Interaction is the main overarching theme for research in linguistics and computational linguistics at FLoV. This entails an interest in the formal modelling of not only the systems of conventions that make up particular languages but also the social practices and psychological mechanisms enabling language use.

As more and more of our interactions take place through digital channels, it has become increasingly important to understand how we communicate and interact with others via computers and digital devices. In this context, the DivCon project, funded by the European Research Council, aims to transform our understanding of human interaction, particularly in computer-mediated communication. It will create a novel experimental platform for live multimodal interactions using avatars and virtual reality and develop a precise theory of divergence and convergence in interaction that unifies verbal and non-verbal dialogue phenomena. Ultimately, the project’s findings will pave the way for more adaptive conversational AI systems that can better simulate human-like communication.

Key responsibilities

The position gives the holder the opportunity to consolidate and further develop their scientific skills by conducting research in the ERC Starting Grant Project: DivCon: Divergence and convergence in dialogue: The dynamic management of mismatches. More specifically, this will entail one or more of the following areas of expertise:

• Corpus collection, annotation, and analysis
• Computational and experimental methods in cognitive science
• Formal models of dialogue and interaction
• Type Theory (or logics) and probability
• Combining logical, computational, and psycholinguistic approaches

Apart from research, duties may include mentoring graduate students, course design, and/or teaching-related activities; such supplementary duties will not exceed 20% of the position’s responsibilities.

The holder of the position is expected to carry out their research on site at the campus of the University of Gothenburg and to actively participate in workshops, seminars, and conferences. The working language of the research group is English.

Eligibility 

Employment as postdoctoral researcher is primarily regulated by here linked nationally negotiated collective agreement Agreement of fixed-term employment as postdoctoral researcher. The University of Gothenburg also has further specified regulations in here linked Appointment Procedure for Teaching Posts at the University of Gothenburg. Both documents are written in Swedish, if you have questions about their content you are welcome to contact us (see contact information further down).

To be eligible for appointment as a postdoc, the applicant is required to have a doctoral degree, a doctoral degree in art or a foreign degree that is deemed to be equivalent to a doctoral degree. The subject of the doctoral thesis should be in a research area relevant to the specific subject description above. This eligibility requirement must be met before the employment decision is made. 

In the first instance, those who have completed their degree no more than three years prior to the end of the application period shall be considered. Those who have completed their degree more than three years prior to the end of the application period may also be considered in the first instance if special grounds exist. Special grounds relate to leave of absence due to illness, parental leave, commissions of trust within union organisations, service within the defence services or other similar circumstances, as well as clinical service or service/assignment relevant to the subject area.  

Assessment criteria 

Scientific proficiency is the most important criterion for assessment, and special attention will be given to the applicant’s PhD thesis and other publications. Documented good interpersonal skills, good skills in terms of planning and organizing research, and in communicating research results is also meritorious. Documented experience in more than one of the job assignment areas described above is particularly merited.

The recruitment process may include interviews (possibly by video link) and contacting references.

General assessment criteria are described in Appointment Procedure for Teaching Posts at the University of Gothenburg, see link above.
 

Employment 

Type of employment: Fixed-term employment, 2 years, with the possibility of a third year
Extent: 100%
Location: Department of Philosophy, Linguistics and Theory of Science, Gothenburg
First day of employment: By agreement

Employment as postdoctoral researcher is primarily regulated by the above linked Agreement of fixed-term employment as postdoctoral researcher.

Selection process 

After the application deadline, the department will contact an expert within the subject area who will be asked to make an initial assessment of the applications. It is important to ensure the expert does not have any conflict of interest with any of the applicants. How much time the expert is granted for their assessment depends on the number of applications received. When the expert has submitted their assessment of the applications to the department, a recruitment group takes over the process. Whether interviews are conducted, and reference taken, depends partly on how many applicants there are and which of the applicants are part of the experts shortlisted group.

Contact information 

For questions regarding the subjects, research projects, responsibilities, or the workplace, please contact project leader Christine Howes, christine.howes@gu.se

Queries about the application, recruitment process, or employment conditions, should be directed to HR-officer Cecilia Groglopo, cecilia.groglopo@gu.se
 

Unions 

Union representatives at the University of Gothenburg can be found here: https://www.gu.se/om-universitetet/jobba-hos-oss/hjalp-for-sokande

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. Click “Apply” at the end of this vacancy notice. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that the application is complete in accordance with the instructions in the vacancy notice, and that it is submitted before the deadline. Selection of candidates is based on their qualifications registered in the application.

Any documents which cannot be submitted electronically should be sent in two copies to the following address and marked with the reference number of this vacancy notice. University of Gothenburg, FLoV HR-Officer, Box 200, SE-405 30 Gothenburg, SWEDEN. The documents should be delivered no later than three workdays after the last day for online applications, or the sender should be able to show the documents have been mailed no later than the last day for online applications.

We welcome applications written in English, since a non-Swedish speaking person may be appointed as external expert in the recruitment process.

Please note that the following documents should be attached to the application (in PDF-format):

1. An introduction letter of max 500 words (approximately 1 page). The letter must consist of three paragraphs in the following order:
   a) a brief presentation of yourself,
   b) a brief presentation of your merits and
   c) a brief description of why FLoV is of interest to you.
2. A CV listing academic degrees, employments, publications, and other relevant merits.
3. PhD certificate
4. At most three scientific publications, and the applicant’s PhD thesis.

 

Applications must be received by: March 14, 2024  

 

  

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: 

https://www.gu.se/en/about-the-university/welcome-services 
https://www.movetogothenburg.com/ 

 

 

The University works actively to achieve a working environment with equal conditions, and values the qualities that diversity brings to its operations.

Salaries are set individually at the University.

In accordance with the National Archives of Sweden’s regulations, the University must archive application documents for two years after the appointment is filled. If you request that your documents are returned, they will be returned to you once the two years have passed. Otherwise, they will be destroyed.

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.