POST-DOC AND TWO PhD POSITIONS

Three positions related to sign language research for a multi-disciplinary project are being offered at the University of Haifa, Israel. The project is called The Grammar of the Body: A Multi-disciplinary Approach to Compositionality in Language. Inspired by the relation between bodily articulators and grammatical compositionality in sign languages, the research program is comprised of five subprojects investigating compositionality in sign language, gesture, and artistic performance. It will be funded by a European Research Council grant to Wendy Sandler.

POST-DOC POSITION. This is a position for a sign language linguist who will be involved in collecting, organizing, and analyzing data from village and deaf community sign languages, within the context of the project’s research program. The successful candidate will have a PhD in linguistics (by February 2014) with an emphasis on sign language; strong sign language skills and an ability to communicate across sign languages from different cultures; good interpersonal skills; and strong English writing ability. The position is full-time for 3 years with a possibility of extension. The project will start in February 2014, pending final contractual agreement.

PhD POSITION. This is a position for a sign language linguistics student who will be involved in collecting, organizing, and analyzing data from village and deaf community sign languages, within the context of the project’s research program. The successful candidate will have a good background in linguistics, preferably with an emphasis on sign language, and strong skills in sign language and communication across sign languages from different cultures. Good English writing ability is also needed for this position. It is offered for three years, with a possibility for extension. The project will start in February 2014, pending final contractual agreement.

PhD POSITION SIGN LANGUAGE STRUCTURE AND THEATRE. The PhD position is for the sign language theatre laboratory subproject. The subproject will include theatrical training techniques with deaf and hearing actors and will address the research questions through analysis of artistic expression and its interpretation. The position is offered for a student who will be involved in recording and analyzing the actors’ exercises and performances, and in developing methods for assessing interpretation of the ‘grammar of the body’ in this context.

A creative person is sought who has very strong expressive and receptive skills in a sign language, as well as some background in theatre. Preference will be given to candidates with a master’s degree in linguistics, cognitive psychology, or a related discipline. If your sign language is not Israeli Sign Language, then an ability to communicate well across sign languages is important. Good English writing skills are also required. The position is for 3 years with a possibility of extension. The project will start in February 2014, pending final contractual agreement.

Applications should be sent by email to wendy.sandler@gmail.com , including a cover letter and short research statement, CV, 2-5 publications or links to them, and names and email addresses for three letters of reference. Any questions can be sent to the same email.

Deadline: October 5, 2013.