The International Max Planck Research School (IMPRS) for Language Sciences is offering two fully-funded PhD Fellowship for four years (2023-2027) with a preferred start-date in September or October, 2023.
The position
The IMPRS for Language Sciences invites applications for TWO PhD fellowships that are funded by the Max Planck Society for the Advancement of Science. The goal of the scheme is to enable young researchers to pursue interdisciplinary research projects in the language sciences, supervised by leading scientists at the Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics and its partner institutes at the Radboud University -- the Centre for Language Studies and the Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour.
The fellowships are suitable for applicants from a variety of backgrounds including:
You will have access to state-of-the art research and training facilities and a generous conference and travel budget. Your educational training programme will be provided by the International Max Planck Research School for Language Sciences, and will involve both core and individually chosen coursework to complement the PhD research, and training in soft skills such as writing and presentation. Radboud University, our partner university, will issue the doctoral degree through the faculty at which the head professor in the supervisory committee is appointed.
Employer
The MPI for Psycholinguistics conducts interdisciplinary research into the psychological, social and biological foundations of language. Scientists at the Institute study a variety of topics including how children and adults acquire language, the role of genetic factors, how speaking and listening happen in real time, how the brain processes language for communication, and how language connects to cognition and culture. The Institute's approach to the science of language and communication is unique, addressing these fundamental issues at multiple levels, from molecules and cells to circuits and brains, all the way through to the behaviour of individuals and populations.
We are situated on the campus of the Radboud University in Nijmegen, and have close collaborative links with the Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour and the Centre for Language Studies at Radboud University. Staff and students at the MPI have access to state-of-the art research and training facilities (including audio-visual equipment, EEG, fMRI, eye tracking, virtual reality labs, molecular biology labs and a child-friendly child development lab).
The Institute is part of the Max Planck Society, an independent non-governmental association of German-funded research institutes dedicated to fundamental research in the natural sciences, life sciences, social sciences, and the humanities.
The MPI for Psycholinguistics recognises the positive value of diversity, promotes equality and challenges discrimination. We are committed to redressing systemic problems with diversity in science, and therefore welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates, irrespective of gender, disability, marital or parental status, racial, ethnic or social origin, colour, religion, belief, or sexual orientation.
Conditions of employment
You will have access to state-of-the art research and training facilities and a generous conference and travel budget. Your educational training programme will be provided by the International Max Planck Research School for Language Sciences, and will involve both core and individually chosen coursework to complement the PhD research, and training in soft skills such as writing and presentation. Radboud University, our partner university, will issue the doctoral degree through the faculty at which the professor that heads the supervisory committee is appointed.
Requirements
Essential
Desirable
Application procedure
We are no longer receiving applications. Applications sent via e-mail and other third-party portals will not be processed.
Your application must contain:
Please consult the FAQ section (#4) for details about what each document should contain.
For informal enquiries on matters not addressed in our extensive FAQ section below, please contact dr. Kevin Lam.
NOTE: The IMPRS Office is closed from 19 Dec 2022. Please expect a response to your e-mail from 5 Jan 2023 onwards.
Update history
14 Feb 2023 -- We have revised the various dates in FAQ#3. Thank you for your patience and understanding.
30 Jan 2023 -- We regret that the review process has been delayed. The notification of selection for interviews and e-mails to referees initially planned to be sent out by January 31 will be pushed by at least 1 week. Please check back for new dates. Our sincerest apologies.
12 Dec 2022 -- FAQ#1. We have clarified that there is no need to suggest supervisors in your application.
08 Dec 2022 -- FAQ#4. We have added the following statement for the letter of motivation: "...and must include the theme number and label at top."
05 Dec 2022 -- The link to the application portal has been added to the advert above.
1. To which research themes can I apply?
We are offering 7 research themes, namely:
THEME 1: Speaking and listening in conversation in typical and hearing-impaired groups
THEME 2: Multimodal language use, processing and acquisition in natural and artificial agents
THEME 3: Cognitive and neurobiological bases of (a)typical language acquisition
THEME 4: Individual differences in language skills and attitudes
THEME 5: Cognitive and neurobiological bases of language and memory
THEME 6: Genetic pathways in (a)typical speech & language development
THEME 7: Language and emotion
You will have a supervisory team working within your chosen theme. The team will usually consist of at least one MPI researcher and one researcher from our partner institutes (Centre for Language Studies or Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour) at Radboud University. Unfortunately, we cannot tell you yet who your supervisors will be, as this depends on your interests and the supervisors’ availability. There is no need to suggest supervisors in your application.
2. Can I apply to more than 1 research theme?
You may choose up to three research themes. Please ensure that you submit a separate letter of motivation for each theme within the same application. Also, please be sure to clearly indicate your ranking of the themes in the header of the letters.
As each letter will likely be read by different persons, it is unavoidable that some repetition of content will be needed.
3. What is the timeline of the recruitment process?
The deadline for application is January 2 2023.
Notification of selection for interviews and e-mails to referees are planned to be sent out by Feb 15. Referees will be asked to submit their forms by Feb 17.
If you are selected, we will invite you for an interview with the selection committee and for an informal conversation with your prospective supervisors. The goal of the informal conversation is to allow both parties to get to know each other and discuss possible directions of the PhD project. In addition, the supervisors may use the opportunity to ask you about relevant knowledge and skills, and you can ask any question you may have, for instance about the project or the supervision.
The informal (online) conversations with potential supervisors are scheduled to take place by February 24.
The (online) interviews with the selection committee are scheduled to take place on March 6, 8 & 9.
Notifications of offers and rejections are scheduled to be sent by March 24.
4. How do I ensure that my application will be reviewed?
In order for an application to be considered for review, it must contain the following:
a curriculum vitae, which lists activities in reverse chronological order and includes the contact information of up to three (academic) referees that have agreed to provide letters of recommendation.
a letter of motivation, which must (a) provide sufficiently detailed information about experience, skills, and knowledge that make you a suitable candidate to conduct interdisciplinary research within the theme of interest. Please make sure to explain also (b) why you are considering the IMPRS for Language Sciences graduate programme, (c) which specific research question you would like to address and why you find this question important to pursue. The maximal length of the letter is 750 words and must include the theme number and label at top.
supporting documents, such as academic degrees, diplomas and transcripts, which may be submitted as copies that are not certified true or notarised. HOWEVER, certified true or notarised copies (including translated ones) must be promptly provided upon request when the applicant is invited for an interview. Ultimately, these versions will be required in order for an official offer of employment to be made and to be issued a contract of employment at the MPI for Psycholinguistics. (See FAQ # 13 for more information)
5. Where can I find information about the school?
You can learn more about our curriculum here and read the stories of some of our members here.
6. Who issues the doctoral degree upon graduation?
Radboud University is the degree-issuing institution, and you will earn a doctorate via one of the faculties at which the head supervisor is appointed.
7. Are there opportunities to acquire teaching experience?
You are not required to teach as part of your contract, but opportunities exist that allow you to acquire some teaching experience. These opportunities include conducting workshops within and outside the IMPRS community, as well as giving guest lectures in master's courses at the Radboud University by arrangement with your supervisors.
8. Can I complete the doctoral program on a part-time basis?
Yes, there is the possibility to do so. Should you be invited for an interview, we encourage you to raise this point for discussion.
9. What information must be included in my curriculum vitae (CV)?
Please list all levels of your education in chronological order. The CV must contain a clear statement about your current status concerning occupation including information on current employment, unemployment, or parental leave. Include publications, prizes, scholarships, social, cultural or sportive activities. Your CV should be a maximum of two pages in length.
10. Can I apply while still completing my current academic degree?
Yes, you can apply with a transcript of records that includes the marks of all courses completed so far. However, if your application is successful, you will have to provide the original final transcript and your academic degree certificates (as well as certified translations if not in English, German, or Dutch) no later than the time of admission into the School.
11. What counts as an equivalent of a (research) masters degree?
Applicants who are completing, or have completed, a 4-year thesis-based Bachelor Honours degree may be considered for our Fellowships. Such degrees may be recognised by the issuing institution as equivalents of masters degree for the purpose of admission into a PhD programme. Therefore, your application must be accompanied by an official signed confirmation statement from your institution as part of your supporting documents. We will review all such applications on a case-by-case basis.
Please note that the degree's graduating requirements must include a year-long individual research project supervised by a faculty member which culminates in a written thesis in the final year. Moreover, evidence of substantial relevant research experience in the intended research topic(s) is desirable.
12. Do I need to include transcripts from my bachelor and/or master studies?
Yes. Please enclose official transcripts (in English, German or Dutch) of all your degree-level studies.
13. What if I do not have official transcripts in English / German / Dutch?
Documents in languages other than English, Dutch or German must be translated into any of the aforementioned languages. We apologise for any inconveniences this may cause.
For the application, you may submit a non-certified English / German / Dutch translation of the document(s). Transcripts must be complete and word-by-word translation of the original document. Please enclose your transcripts with their accompanying certified translations (when applicable).
Certified true or notarised copies (including translated ones) must be promptly provided upon request when the applicant is invited for an interview. Ultimately, these versions will be required in order for an official offer of employment to be made and to be issued a contract of employment at the MPI for Psycholinguistics.
14. Am I required to submit a certificate of English proficiency?
Solid knowledge of the English language (B2 level) is necessary. However, we do not require proof of English language proficiency by means of a language test; nevertheless, applicants who have taken such a test in 2018 or later are welcome to include their results in the application.
15. Am I required to take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test?
This test is not required, but applicants who have taken such a test in 2018 or later are welcome to include their results in the application.
16. If successful, will I get help with finding accommodation?
Ultimately, the applicant is responsible for arranging their own accommodation for the duration of the PhD project. For applicants arriving for the first time in the Netherlands, we can assist you in finding appropriate temporary accommodation at the campus guest house.
17. Do you have any advice for someone who will be applying for a PhD position at a later time?
Have a look at the Tips section here.
If you're looking for a suitable research master's programme in Nijmegen, learn more about the different possibilities:
behavioural science
cognitive neuroscience
linguistics and communication sciences
molecular mechanisms of disease
plus many other offerings.
18. Can you tell me a bit about Nijmegen?
Have a look at these videos [1∙2] to learn more about the city of Nijmegen.
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