Postdoctoral Researcher on Afrikaans Derivational Morphology KU Leuven in Belgium

This postdoctoral position at KU Leuven is part of the CatCAD project, which investigates categories and categorization in Afrikaans and Dutch, focusing on the linguistic units known as nouns and verbs. The research is conducted within the Formal and Computational Linguistics (ComForT) group and the Center for Research in Syntax, Semantics, and Phonology (CRISSP). The project aims to determine whether nouns and verbs can be decomposed into smaller grammatical primitives, using nominal and verbal morphology as the primary lens.

The research involves a detailed comparison of Afrikaans and Dutch, two closely related West Germanic languages that differ significantly in their morphology, lexicon, language contact situations, and levels of bi/multilingualism among speakers. CatCAD is structured into two main work packages—one focusing on verbal morphology and the other on nominal morphology—with a third package integrating insights to develop an overarching theory of categorization. The postdoctoral researcher will concentrate on Afrikaans, while a PhD student will focus on Dutch.

The position offers a stimulating intellectual environment that encourages creativity and independence, with strong support for academic development. The contract is for two years at 80% employment, with remuneration based on Belgian academic scales, providing internationally competitive pay. The successful candidate must hold a PhD in Linguistics, have native or near-native fluency in Afrikaans, excellent analytical and English language skills, a strong publication record, and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively.

The researcher will be based in Leuven, with frequent activities in Brussels, and must reside in Belgium. KU Leuven is committed to diversity, inclusion, and equal opportunity. Applications require a motivation letter, CV, and a sample of academic writing. For further details, candidates can contact Prof. dr.

Jeroen Van Craenenbroeck.