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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Join a dynamic team to collect and analyse language data across England and Wales.
- Company: Oxford's Faculty of Linguistics, Philology and Phonetics, renowned for innovative research.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, collaborative environment, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on understanding language change in a unique research project.
- Qualifications: Doctoral degree in Linguistics or related field with relevant research experience.
- Other info: Fixed-term position for 48 months starting August 2026, with remote data collection.
The predicted salary is between 33900 - 45500 £ 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 overall role of the post is to co-ordinate and participate in data collection and 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).
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 Bern, York, and 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 the planning, co-ordination and execution of the project and its data collection, with specific responsibilities to take the lead on data processing, statistical analysis (including geospatial statistics), and GIS-based mapping. They will conduct data collection and analysis for the project and provide guidance to junior members of the research group, including research assistants, doctoral students, and project participants. They will also be responsible for comparing contemporary data with historical datasets (such as the Survey of English Dialects or relevant historical corpora), thereby identifying patterns of linguistic innovation and diffusion. Additionally, they will explore 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 the necessary statistical skills to perform geospatial analysis of the results.
Application Process
You will be required to upload a supporting statement, CV and two referees as part of your application. The supporting statement must explain how you meet the selection criteria for the post. The closing date for applications is 12:00 noon on Friday, 20 February 2026. Interviews will take place during week commencing Monday, 13 March.
£39,424 to £47,779. Grade 7
Research Associate in Language Variation and Change in Oxford employer: Uag
Contact Detail:
Uag Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Research Associate in Language Variation and Change in Oxford
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to folks in the linguistics field, especially those connected to CURLEW or similar projects. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insights that might just land you that Research Associate role.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Prepare a mini-presentation or a portfolio showcasing your previous research, especially any work related to sociolinguistics or geospatial analysis. This will help us see how you can contribute to the project right from the get-go.
✨Tip Number 3
Get familiar with the CURLEW project! Dive into its goals and methodologies. When you know what we’re all about, you can tailor your conversations and show us how your expertise aligns perfectly with our mission.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team and contributing to this exciting research journey.
We think you need these skills to ace Research Associate in Language Variation and Change in Oxford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Craft a Compelling Supporting Statement: Your supporting statement is your chance to shine! Make sure you clearly explain how your skills and experiences align with the selection criteria. Use specific examples from your past work to show us why you're the perfect fit for the Research Associate role.
Tailor Your CV: Don't just send us a generic CV! Tailor it to highlight your relevant research experience, especially in linguistics and sociolinguistics. We want to see how your background makes you a strong candidate for the CURLEW project.
Get Your Referees Ready: Choose referees who know your work well and can speak to your research capabilities. Let them know about the position you're applying for so they can provide a tailored reference that highlights your strengths related to this role.
Apply Through Our Website: Make sure to submit your application through our website! It’s the easiest way for us to keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss any important updates. Plus, we love seeing applications come in directly from our site!
How to prepare for a job interview at Uag
✨Know Your Research Inside Out
Make sure you’re well-versed in the CURLEW project and its objectives. Familiarise yourself with the methodologies used in sociolinguistic sampling and be ready to discuss how your previous research aligns with the project's goals.
✨Showcase Your Statistical Skills
Prepare to demonstrate your expertise in data processing and geospatial statistics. Bring examples of past projects where you've successfully applied these skills, and be ready to discuss the tools and software you’re comfortable using.
✨Engage with Historical Context
Since the role involves comparing contemporary data with historical datasets, brush up on the Survey of English Dialects and relevant historical corpora. Be prepared to discuss how historical factors influence language change and how you would approach this analysis.
✨Prepare Thoughtful Questions
Interviews are a two-way street! Prepare insightful questions about the project, team dynamics, and future directions. This shows your genuine interest and helps you assess if the role is the right fit for you.
