University of Amsterdam 
Amsterdam, Netherlands Offer Summary
The University of Amsterdam invites a PhD candidate for a 48‑month, fixed‑term contract to study negation across languages. The project, funded by NWO, combines lab‑based experiments (EEG, artificial language learning) with fieldwork in Ecuador, focusing on why languages place the negator early in speech. Responsibilities include thesis submission, conference presentations, participation in PhD training, and limited BA‑level teaching. Candidates must hold a Master’s in Linguistics, Cognitive Science, Psychology or related field, have strong English, interest in fieldwork, and conversational Spanish. The salary ranges from €3,204 to €4,051 per month, plus holiday and year‑end allowances, and includes tuition waiver and access to graduate courses. Deadline: 12 Oct 2026.
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Project Description
Evolution and processing of languages with late negation
In this project you work in a small international team of (psycho)linguists and cognitive scientists on the evolution and processing of negation in language. Specifically, we investigate why most languages prefer to express the negator (‘not’) early rather than late in the utterance. You will learn to use multiple methods, including artificial language learning and EEG, collecting data from different language communities, including indigenous language speakers in Ecuador.
This is what you will be doing
- submission of a PhD thesis within the period of appointment;
- presenting intermediate research results at workshops and conferences;
- participation in the Research School and Faculty of Humanities PhD training programmes;
- (co-)teaching courses at BA-level in the second and third year of the appointment (maximum 0,2 fte per year).
- conduct field-based experiments in Ecuador
- organising knowledge dissemination activities;
- participating in meetings and training sessions of the project research group.
This is what we ask of you
- a completed Master's degree in Linguistics, Cognitive Science, Psychology or similar;
- excellent research and academic English skills demonstrated by a Master thesis.
- strong interest in fieldwork/field-based experimental methods
- (minimally) conversational proficiency in Spanish
- a strong cooperative attitude and willingness to engage in collaborative researchI
Please note that if you already hold a doctorate/PhD or are working towards obtaining a similar degree elsewhere, you will not be admitted to a doctoral programme at the UvA.
Preferred additional qualifications:
Previous experience with experimental methods (artificial language learning, behavioural psycholinguistics, EEG).
This is what else we offer you
- We offer a temporary employment contract for the period of 48 months. The first contract will be for 16 months, with an extension for the following 32 months, contingent on a positive performance evaluation within the first 12 months. The preferred but negotiable starting date is 01 January 2027;
- Based on a full-time appointment (38 hours per week) the gross monthly salary will range from €3.204 in the first year to €4.051 (scale P) in the last year. This does not include 8% holiday allowance and 8,3% year-end allowance. The UFO profile PhD candidate applicable. The Collective Labour Agreement of Universities of the Netherlands is applicable;
- PhD candidates receive a tuition fee waiver;
- PhD candidates have free access to courses offered by the Graduate School of Humanities and the Dutch National Research Schools;
- Training in (field-based) EEG methods by the research team
- Excellent possibilities for further professional development and education;
- An inspiring academic and international work environment in the heart of Amsterdam;
- An enthusiastic and professional academic team.
This is where you will be working
This PhD position is part of an NWO-funded Open Competition Large project, led by two PIs: Eva van Lier and Marieke Schouwstra, affiliated with two research schools: the Amsterdam Center for Language and Communication (ACLC) and the Institute for Logic, Language and Computation (ILLC). You will join the PhD community of the Amsterdam Center for Language and Communication. In addition, our research team includes international specialists in psycholinguistics (Sebastian Sauppe, Elisabeth Norcliffe) and a postdoc in linguistic typology.
Do you enjoy working in an interdisciplinary research environment? Are you interested in applying multiple methods to advance research in linguistics and cognitive science? If you imagine yourself in a PhD position at the crossroads of lab-based experimental linguistics and linguistic fieldwork, then we welcome your application!
This is where you will be working
This PhD position is part of an NWO-funded Open Competition Large project, led by two PIs: Eva van Lier and Marieke Schouwstra, affiliated with two research schools: the Amsterdam Center for Language and Communication (ACLC) and the Institute for Logic, Language and Computation (ILLC). You will join the PhD community of the Amsterdam Center for Language and Communication. In addition, our research team includes international specialists in psycholinguistics (Sebastian Sauppe, Elisabeth Norcliffe) and a postdoc in linguistic typology.
Questions?
For questions about the position or department, you can contact us during office hours at:
Eva van Lier (e.h.vanlier@uva.nl) and/or Marieke Schouwstra (m.schouwstra@uva.nl)
Application
If you recognize yourself in the profile and are interested in the position, we look forward to receiving your application.
Your application should include the following information:
- a letter cover letter and full academic CV;
- a list of all Master-level modules you have taken, with an official transcript of grades;
- a writing sample (preferably your MA thesis);
- the names and email addresses of two references, including your advisor, who may be approached by the selection committee.
The vacancy closes on 12 October 2026. The first round of interviews will take place on 26-27 October 2026.
