Postdoc position (f/m/d) KPA VI: Skills and Structures in Language and Cognition

The University of Cologne is one of the largest and most research-intensive universities in Germany, offering a wide range of subjects. With its six faculties and its interfaculty centres, it offers a broad spectrum of scientific disciplines and internationally outstanding profile areas, supported by the administration with its services.

We are seeking to fill a postdoctoral position until the end of 2025 to advance and consolidate research within the University of Cologne Key Profile Area “Skills and Structures in Language and Cognition” (www.sslac.uni-koeln.de ). Specifically, the available position has a focus on studying the timing and synchronization of multimodal cues (speech/sign, prosody, gestures, gaze, facial expression) in interaction, and in particular, on their use as feedback cues to signal (mis-)understanding. We are particularly interested in the interplay between routinized/systematic and creative/individual-specific use of different cues and their role in identifying, managing and resolving trouble to ensure successful communication across a range of domains and settings. The postdoctoral researcher will collaborate closely with other researchers and PIs across different departments and faculties, representing expertise in linguistics, phonetics, psycholinguistics, neurolinguistics, language teaching and learning, anthropology, and social cognition, to develop and contribute to innovative and interdisciplinary research on human communication.

Your Tasks

• Design and conduct studies investigating timing and synchronization of multimodal feedback signals
• Data collection and analysis using a range of methodologies (especially, experimental) appropriate to the core areas of investigation
• Collaboration with the other postdoctoral researchers, PIs, and project members, to consolidate research within the Key Profile Area

Your Profile

• PhD in a relevant discipline (linguistics, phonetics, psycholinguistics, communication psychology, sign and gesture studies, etc. ). Applicants without a PhD degree will be considered if they have submitted their thesis by the time of application.
• Knowledge of a range of methodologies (especially expertise in different experimental approaches)
• Experience in quantitative and statistical analysis
• Theoretical expertise in a relevant discipline
• Good publication track record, appropriate to level
• Excellent team-working skills
• Excellent communication skills, esp. written English
• Experience writing grant proposals is desirable

We Offer You

• An interdisciplinary and diverse team dedicated to excellent research
• a diverse and fair working environment
• support in reconciling work and family life
• flexible working time models, full-time positions suitable for job sharing
• extensive advanced training opportunities
• occupational health management offers
• local transport ticket at a discount for UoC employees

The positions are available from 01.12.2022 on a full-time basis with 39,83 working hours. The position is to be filled for a fixed term until 31.12.2025. If the necessary prerequisites required by tariff regulations as well as the sought after personal qualifications are met, the salary will correspond to the pay grade 13 as specified in the States’ Tariff Agreement (TVL).

The University of Cologne is committed to equal opportunities and diversity. Women are especially encouraged to apply and will be considered preferentially in accordance with the Equal Opportunities Act of North Rhine-Westphalia (Landesgleichstellungsgesetz – LGG NRW). We also expressly welcome applications from people with disabilities / special needs or of equal status.

Please send your convincing application with proof of the sought qualifications by email (in one pdf-file) with the reference number Wiss2208-06 to [email protected]

The application deadline is 30.09.2022.