PhD Position in General Linguistics, Language Documentation, Pragmatics, and Semantics at Goethe University Frankfurt am Main Goethe University Frankfurt am Main in Germany

The Institute of Linguistics, Department of Modern Languages, at Goethe University Frankfurt am Main is offering a PhD position in collaboration with the Department for German Studies at Göttingen University. The project, titled “Lexical(ized) demonstrations in spoken and sign languages,” is part of the DFG Priority Programme 2392 “Visual communication (ViCom).” The successful candidate will work as a Doctoral Researcher (E 13 TV-G-U, 65% part-time) for three years, focusing on General Linguistics, Language Documentation, Pragmatics, and Semantics.

Research activities include collecting new data and creating an open-access database on ideophones and lexicalised demonstrations in German and Akan, developing and implementing experimental studies, and contributing to a multimodal, formal semantic theory of lexicalised demonstrations in spoken and signed languages. The position also involves developing grammatical descriptions and teaching materials related to the project’s themes.

Applicants should hold a completed Master’s degree in linguistics or a closely related field, with a thematically relevant and above-average Master’s thesis. Experience with participatory research, empirical and theoretical linguistics, corpus linguistics, and experimental linguistics is advantageous. The position is designed to support the qualification of young scientists and offers the opportunity to pursue a doctorate.

The project consists of two closely collaborating sub-projects: one at Goethe University Frankfurt am Main (Spoken Languages, PI Dr. Kathryn Barnes) and one at University of Göttingen (Sign Languages, PI Prof. Dr. Markus Steinbach). Candidates interested in both sub-projects are encouraged to apply for both positions.

Funding is provided by the DFG, with salary according to the TV-G-U collective agreement. The application deadline is December 16, 2025. Applications should include a cover letter, CV, BA and MA certificates with transcript of records, and a copy of the MA thesis, sent as a PDF to Dr. Kathryn Barnes at [email protected]. For further information, applicants may contact Dr. Kathryn Barnes or Prof. Dr. Markus Steinbach.

Relevant keywords: General Linguistics, Language Documentation, Pragmatics, Semantics, Spoken Languages, Sign Languages, Lexicalised Demonstrations, Ideophones, Corpus Linguistics, Experimental Linguistics.