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.