Institute of Linguistics and Language Technology

Applications are invited for Resident Academic Full-Time post in General, Applied or Computational Linguistics (with a specialisation in Sign Linguistics) at the Institute of Linguistics and Language Technology of the University of Malta.

The appointment will be on initial definite four-year contract of employment. Following the successful completion of the one-year probationary period, the Resident Academic will commence a two-year Tenure Track process. At the conclusion of this two-year period of service, the Resident Academic will be subject to a Tenure Review. The appointee will be required to contribute to the teaching, research, administration, and other activities of the Institute of Linguistics and Language Technology, and as may be required by the University. An ability to work flexibly and collaboratively in a team environment is essential.

Candidates must be in possession of a Ph.D. or equivalent research-based doctorate in Linguistics or a related area from a reputable university. They must have a demonstrable commitment to research with a firmly established or highly promising publications profile and a willingness and ability to be an active participant in the research culture of the Institute. Teaching experience at tertiary level will be considered an asset.

This post is primarily linked to the area of Sign Linguistics, and the successful candidate will be expected to lead research on Maltese Sign Language and coordinate the delivery of Maltese Sign Language study-units by our team of visiting assistant lecturers. Some knowledge of a sign language, though not necessarily of Maltese Sign Language is a prerequisite for appointment. Given, however, that the Institute of Linguistics and Language Technology plays a central role in safeguarding and advancing research on Maltese Sign Language in the context of Malta, a willingness to familiarise oneself with Maltese Sign Language is necessary for ensuring tenure. Since engagement within the area of Sign Linguistics is expected to cover around 50% of the advertised post, the successful candidate will be asked to additionally contribute to a range of core undergraduate and postgraduate study-units, as the need arises. Therefore, complementary knowledge in another area of theoretical, applied or computational linguistics, is desirable.

The University of Malta will provide academic staff with financial resources through the Academic Resources Fund to support continuous professional development and to provide the tools and resources required by an academic to adequately fulfil the teaching and academic research commitments within the University.

The University may also appoint promising candidates as Assistant Lecturers provided that these are committed to obtain a Ph.D. An applicant for the post of Assistant Lecturer must already be registered for a Ph.D. and have shown progress to the satisfaction of the selection board that completion will be within the four-year period.

Theoretical approaches to language structure, meaning and function;

Applied linguistics;

Sign language and linguistics;

Computational linguistics, including machine-learning approaches to Natural Language Processing.

The Institute of Linguistics and Language Technology offers undergraduate degree programmes in Linguistics (offered through the Faculty of Arts) and Language Technology. Our postgraduate programmes encompass both Theoretical/Applied Linguistics and Natural Language Processing. Doctoral students in the Institute work in a vibrant research atmosphere, in close collaboration with supervisors and colleagues.

The duties which the appointee will be expected to perform are:

• Teaching including tutorials and seminars, supervision of practical work and placements, supervision of projects and other personally undertaken student enterprises;
• Preparing course materials
• Researching and publishing both individual and collaborative, in priority areas established by the University
• Continuous assessment of students, setting and marking of examination papers including dissertations within established time-frames
• Participating in the administration of academic affairs at academic and university levels
• Contributing to national and regional development particularly in the area of specialisation and through cooperation with governmental, intergovernmental, regional and non-governmental institutions and services
• Any other relevant duties as may be required by the University