This fully funded PhD opportunity at Lancaster University, in collaboration with Trinity College London, focuses on 'Communicative Competence in English Language Tests.' The project is based at the Centre for Corpus Approaches to Social Science (CASS) and is funded by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) through the North West Social Science Doctoral Training Partnership (NWSSDTP). The research will use corpus-based analysis to investigate spoken and written English across informal, semi-formal, and academic contexts, aiming to identify linguistic features that indicate successful communication and ensure fairness and accessibility in language testing. The project combines applied linguistics, social science, and quantitative methods, addressing research questions about which linguistic and discourse features mark successful communication, which test tasks best elicit these features, and how these features correlate with candidates’ social backgrounds. The research is highly relevant for those interested in corpus linguistics, language testing, discourse analysis, and social equity in education. Applicants should have strong experience in corpus linguistics, quantitative applied linguistics, or language testing, with analytical skills in corpus design, annotation, statistical analysis, and discourse analysis. Familiarity with tools such as R, Python, and #LancsBox X is required. The successful candidate will receive advanced training in corpus linguistics, quantitative and qualitative methods, and applied research in high-stakes assessment contexts. The studentship covers full tuition fees and provides a tax-free stipend of £20,780 per year. Both UK and international candidates are eligible to apply, and the successful applicant is expected to relocate to Lancaster and work regularly on campus. To apply, candidates should submit a PhD application at Lancaster University, indicating Prof. Vaclav Brezina and Dr. Dana Gablasova as supervisors. Instead of a full proposal, applicants should describe their experience with corpus linguistics and quantitative methods, including practical examples, and clearly state that the application is for the NWSSDTP studentship on 'Communicative Competence in Action.' Completion of a motivation form is also required as part of the funding application process. The application deadline is 10 April 2026, with interviews expected on 24 April 2026 and the start date on 28 September 2026.

[Full tuition fees and a tax-free maintenance stipend of £20,780 per year for UK and international applicants, funded by the ESRC North West Social Science Doctoral Training Partnership.] The CASS Research Centre at Lancaster University is offering a fully funded PhD studentship for both UK and international candidates, commencing in October 2026. This prestigious opportunity is funded by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) through the North West Social Science Doctoral Training Partnership (NWSSDTP). The project, delivered in collaboration with Trinity College London, focuses on communicative competence in English language tests, examining fairness, accessibility, and social mobility in assessment contexts. The research will employ large-scale corpus methods and discourse analysis to investigate successful communication in spoken and written English across informal, semi-formal, and academic settings. Key research questions include identifying linguistic and discourse features that characterize effective communication, determining which test tasks elicit the richest range of these features, and exploring how linguistic patterns correlate with candidates’ social backgrounds to assess fairness and accessibility. Applicants should have a strong background in corpus linguistics, language testing, or quantitative applied linguistics, with demonstrable analytical skills in corpus design, statistical analysis, and familiarity with tools such as R, Python, or #LancsBox X. The successful candidate will join the CASS team, working regularly on campus and benefiting from advanced training in both quantitative and qualitative research methods relevant to high-stakes assessment contexts. Supervision will be provided by Professor Vaclav Brezina and Dr Dana Gablasova, both experts in applied linguistics and corpus-based research. The studentship includes full tuition fees and a tax-free maintenance stipend of £20,780 per year, making it accessible to candidates from around the world. To apply, candidates must submit a PhD application to Lancaster University, naming Prof. Brezina and Dr Gablasova as proposed supervisors. Instead of a full project proposal, applicants should describe their experience with corpus linguistics and quantitative methods, provide practical examples of their skills, and clearly state that the application is for the NWSSDTP studentship on ‘Communicative competence in action’. Completion of a motivation form is also required as part of the funding application process. The application deadline is 10th April 2026, with interviews expected on 24th April 2026 and the start date set for 28 September 2026. For informal enquiries, contact Prof Vaclav Brezina at [email protected]. For further details and to access the application form, visit the CASS Research Centre website.