At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead data analysis on language change across England and Wales for an exciting research project.
- Company: Join a prestigious faculty at the University of Oxford, renowned for linguistic research.
- Benefits: Enjoy 38 days annual leave, a contributory pension scheme, and childcare services.
- Other info: Be part of a dynamic team contributing to a groundbreaking sociolinguistic project.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on understanding language evolution in a collaborative environment.
- Qualifications: PhD in Linguistics or related field with research experience and publication history.
The predicted salary is between 35000 - 45000 £ per year.
The Faculty of Linguistics, Philology and Phonetics is seeking to recruit a Postdoctoral Research Associate to support Professor David Willis and the CURLEW Project (Census of Urban and Rural Language in England and Wales), for which an SNSF (Swiss National Science Foundation) grant has been awarded. The primary role of the post is to lead data analysis that will help us fully understand how the socio-economic and demographic changes of the past half-century have steered language change across England and Wales. The post is for a fixed-term period of 48 months starting August 2026 (or as soon as possible thereafter).
What We Offer
- An excellent contributory pension scheme
- 38 days annual leave
- A comprehensive range of childcare services
- Family leave schemes
- Discounted bus travel and Season Ticket travel loans
- Membership to a variety of social and sports clubs
About the Role
Reporting to the Oxford Principal Investigator, David Willis, the post holder will be a member of the Oxford-based group carrying out research for CURLEW: Census of Urban and Rural Language in England and Wales. CURLEW is a four-year project (from August 2026) funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation as part of the International Co-Investigator Scheme with the UK’s Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) and Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC). It is a collaboration between David Britain (Bern, PI), Paul Foulkes (York), Adrian Leemann (Bern) and David Willis (Oxford), with teams in each of the participating institutions. The aim of CURLEW is to conduct a census of urban and rural language in England and Wales, providing a rich snapshot of the English language in these countries today using contemporary sociolinguistic sampling techniques, studying a broad cross-section of the population. Modelled on the successful Swiss Dialäktatlas, this project serves as a 21st-century counterpart to the historic Survey of English Dialects from the 1950s and 60s.
The post holder will be expected to contribute to all aspects of the project, with a focus on data management and analysis (including data mapping and visualisation). They should be familiar with a broad range of theoretical approaches across syntax, morphology, phonology and phonetics, with a specialisation in at least one of these areas. They will provide guidance to junior members of the research group, including research assistants, doctoral students, and to project participants, and will play an active role in developing the growing sociolinguistics academic community in Oxford. They will also be responsible for comparing contemporary data with historical datasets (such as the Survey of English Dialects or relevant historical corpora) and for contributing to narrative case studies of linguistic innovation and diffusion. This will involve exploring the sociolinguistic and historical factors that have shaped these developments. Like all project members, they will be expected to carry out data collection (primarily remotely) to build the CURLEW corpus.
About You
You will have a doctoral degree in either Linguistics or a relevant related field, together with relevant research experience and previous experience of contributing to publications and presentations. The post holder must have sufficient specialist knowledge of relevant areas (such as language variation and change/sociolinguistics, historical linguistics, morphosyntax, history of the English language, geospatial linguistics and dialectology) to work with and develop the research programme, including necessary technical and statistical skills.
Research Associate in Language Variation and Change in English in Oxford employer: Corehr
The Faculty of Linguistics, Philology and Phonetics at the University of Oxford offers an exceptional work environment for the Research Associate in Language Variation and Change in English. With a strong emphasis on employee development, generous benefits including 38 days of annual leave, and a collaborative culture that fosters academic growth, this role provides a unique opportunity to contribute to groundbreaking research while enjoying a supportive community in one of the world's leading universities.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Research Associate in Language Variation and Change in English in Oxford
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to folks in the linguistics community, especially those involved in sociolinguistics or similar projects. Attend conferences or webinars where you can chat with potential colleagues and show off your passion for language variation.
✨Tip Number 2
Get your research game on! Brush up on the latest trends in language change and be ready to discuss how your skills can contribute to the CURLEW project. We want to see your enthusiasm for data analysis and how you can bring fresh ideas to the table.
✨Tip Number 3
Show us your data skills! Be prepared to demonstrate your experience with data management and visualisation techniques. Whether it’s through a portfolio or a quick presentation, we love seeing how you can turn complex data into engaging insights.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team and contributing to the exciting work at the Faculty of Linguistics, Philology and Phonetics.
We think you need these skills to ace Research Associate in Language Variation and Change in English in Oxford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in linguistics and any relevant research projects. We want to see how your background aligns with the CURLEW Project and the specific skills mentioned in the job description.
Show Off Your Research Skills:Don’t hold back on showcasing your research experience! Include details about your previous work, especially if it involved data analysis or sociolinguistic studies. We’re keen to see how you can contribute to our understanding of language variation and change.
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. Use straightforward language to explain your qualifications and experiences. We appreciate a well-structured application that makes it easy for us to see why you’d be a great fit!
Apply Through Our Website:Remember to submit your application through our official website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us directly. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team at StudySmarter!
How to prepare for a job interview at Corehr
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of language variation and change, especially in the context of sociolinguistics. Familiarise yourself with the CURLEW project and its aims, as well as any relevant historical datasets. This will show that you're genuinely interested and prepared.
✨Showcase Your Skills
Be ready to discuss your technical and statistical skills in data analysis and visualisation. Prepare examples from your past research where you've successfully managed and analysed data, particularly if it relates to language or sociolinguistics.
✨Engage with the Team
Since you'll be working closely with a diverse team, demonstrate your ability to collaborate. Think of examples where you've guided junior researchers or contributed to a team project. Highlight your communication skills and how you can help foster a supportive academic community.
✨Prepare Thoughtful Questions
At the end of the interview, have some insightful questions ready about the CURLEW project or the faculty's research direction. This shows your enthusiasm and helps you gauge if the role is the right fit for you.
