Postdoc Research Fellow

Interview Date: Monday 08 July 2024

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The role

Postdoctoral position on "Rational Evolutionary Phonology"

Prof Erich Round is seeking qualified applicants for a fully-funded three-year postdoctoral project on “REVOLUPHON: Rational Evolutionary Phonology". This postdoctoral project contributes the core cognitive and cultural evolutionary modelling components in the ERC-selected, UKRI-funded project "Rational Evolutionary Phonology", led by Erich Round in 2024–2029.

The position is based at the Surrey Morphology Group at the University of Surrey, and provides the opportunity to work in the vibrant and highly collegial research environment for which SMG is renowned.

Background

REVOLUPHON is an ambitious project in computational cognitive science, cultural evolution and phonology theory, which seeks deeper explanations for human phonology. Though phonological theories are diverse, they contain recurrent axioms and atoms: segments, features, prosodic units, et cetera. We hypothesise that these units of representation are explicable in terms of the interaction of phonetics with resource limitations on human cognition (resource rationality). Separately, recent decades show that phonologies can be reasonably well modelled as optimisation problems, with optimisation imputed to the mind. We hypothesise that apparent optimisation, and its exceptions, arise because phonologies undergo cultural evolution, an optimising process. REVOLUPHON tests these hypotheses through computational modelling of cognition and cultural evolution, to develop new foundations for phonological theory.

Responsibilities

The candidate will be a core member of a research team focused on achieving the REVOLUPHON project aims, and will participate in the broader activities both of the REVOLUPHON group and of the Surrey Morphology Group (SMG). The candidate will have opportunities at SMG to develop their research leadership profile while interacting with world-class researchers. Please refer to the full job description, under ‘Special requirements’ for key responsibilities. 

About you

Requirements

Suitable candidates trained in phonology/morphology, conversant with computational cognitive science & skilled in research software development are strongly encouraged to apply. Please refer to the full job description, under ‘Special requirements’ for essential and desirable criteria. 

The position is full time, and the successful candidate will be required to work on-site at the University of Surrey, Guildford for three days per week.

How to apply

 Please apply on the University website and submit the following with your application:

• CV
• Contact details for 2 academic/industry referees.
• DOI/URL links to three relevant, published works of research.
• Research statement of one page, describing research interests & experience.

Further details:

For more information and to apply online, please download the further details and click on the 'apply' button above.
 
In return we offer a generous pension, relocation assistance where appropriate, flexible working options including job share & blended home/campus working locations (dependent on work duties), access to world-class leisure facilities on campus, a range of travel schemes & supportive family friendly benefits including an excellent on-site nursery.

Click here to find out more about the benefits we offer to support you.

The University of Surrey is committed to providing an inclusive environment that offers equal opportunities for all.

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