Research Assistant needed for work on new/village sign languages

Job Description.

 The Sign Language Research Lab at the University of Haifa has been investigating a newly emerging sign language among the Al-Sayyid Bedouins. Recently, we have begun to investigate additional village sign languages found in a variety of different communities within Israel. These projects seek to gain insight into the ways in which a grammatical language emerges without a model in a small community with a high incidence of deafness, and to compare and contrast different linguistic and social variables across communities. A Research Assistant for this project is needed for fieldwork, coding, and analysis of data at all levels of structure, specifically, phonology, morphology, syntax, and prosody. Some technical and administrative duties are also included.

Sign Language Research Lab:

http://sandlersignlab.haifa.ac.il/index_short.html

ABSL Research Project:

http://sandlersignlab.haifa.ac.il/html/html_eng/al_sayyid.html

Qualifications. We seek applicants with the following qualifications:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in Linguistics

• Knowledge of a sign language or willingness to study sign language intensively

• Good interpersonal (and intercultural) skills

• Knowledge of Hebrew and/or Arabic is an advantage (but not a requirement)

This Research Assistantship can be integrated with MA or PhD projects.

Conditions of Employment. The initial employment period is one year, beginning October 2010 or January 2011, with the possibility of extension. The salary offered for full-time employment is between $1,200 and $1,500 a month, depending on the applicant’s qualifications.

Application letters with full CV and MA thesis or other publications or research papers can be sent to:

wsandler@research.haifa.ac.il