Postdoctoral Fellow in Psycholinguistics, Multilectalism, and Language Processing

3rd August 2026
Languages
English

• English
• Norsk Nynorsk

English
Postdoctoral Fellow in Psycholinguistics, Multilectalism, and Language Processing
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The position

A 3-year postdoctoral fellow position is available at the Department for Language and Literature, Volda University College. The position is affiliated with the research project Multilectal Individual Differences in Reading (MInDReading): Neurocognitive and Behavioral Effects of Dialect Exposure on Literacy Development. MInDReading is financed by the Research Council of Norway August 2026 to July 2030. 

The postdoctoral fellow position is a qualifying position aimed at developing the candidate's research profile and qualifying them for a future position as associate professor (førsteamanuensis). Anticipated starting date: January 2027 (the exact start can be negotiated).
The successful candidate will join an active research environment in experimental linguistics/psycholinguistics at the Department for Language and Literature.

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Qualification

Required qualifications

Applicants must have:

• A PhD (or equivalent doctoral degree) in linguistics or a closely related field (e.g., psychology, cognitive science). 
• Strong written and spoken English. 
• Demonstrated experience in experimental and/or quantitative approaches to language processing and/or language variation, evidenced by peer-reviewed publications and/or advanced doctoral work.

If a successful applicant does not already hold the educational competence required for a position as associate professor in Norway, Volda University College will arrange for them to acquire such competence during the appointment period.

Desired qualifications

We are especially interested in candidates with one or more of the following:

• Strong publication record in psycholinguistics, Nordic linguistics, corpus linguistics, sociolinguistics, or related fields
• Experience with R (data wrangling, visualization, statistical modelling)
• Experience with experimental methods (e.g., eye-tracking, EEG/ERP, self-paced reading, speech production)
• Experience working with multilectal/multilingual populations or language variation
• Experience with questionnaire design and validation or related measurement work
• Competence in Norwegian (or another Scandinavian language)

Project and research context

MInDReading examines how exposure to closely related language varieties shapes real-time language processing in listening and reading, as is common in contexts of bidialectalism, dialect–standard differences, and use of competing written standards (e.g., Norwegian Nynorsk and Bokmål). The project combines three components: (i) development and validation of a fit-for-purpose questionnaire instrument to quantify individual multilectal experience (engagement with, and exposure to, dialects and written standards); (ii) EEG studies testing how regionally variable dialect and dialect–standard grammatical contrasts are processed at the neural level during comprehension; and (iii) eye-tracking during reading studies assessing how the same contrasts, and individual differences in dialect exposure, shape naturalistic reading behavior.

By testing carefully controlled grammatical contrasts that vary across dialect regions and between spoken and written varieties, MInDReading explores how the language system adapts to narrow within-language variation during real-time comprehension. More broadly, the project advances our understanding of how speakers represent and manage competing linguistic patterns across modalities, and how everyday language experience shapes the mechanisms that support fluent reading and listening. More information about the project is available at https://jadesandstedt.com/mindreading.html .

The position will involve periodic research stays at partner institutions (e.g., UiT The Arctic University of Norway, University of Oslo, and/or University of Bergen). Travel is required.
Main tasks and responsibilities

The Postdoctoral Fellow will:

• Contribute to study design and implementation across project activities
• Collect experimental data (including participant recruitment/testing and hands-on lab work)
• Lead dissemination of results through conference presentations and journal publications
• Take a leading role in one or more workstreams in close coordination with the project leader
• Participate in project meetings and collaboration activities with partner institutions

We offer

• A fully funded 3-year postdoctoral position in an externally funded research project with national collaboration and strong methodological breadth
• An engaging research environment and access to relevant research infrastructure
• Opportunities for research stays at leading Norwegian partner institutions
• Free Norwegian language training at a basic level (A2)
• Salary in position as Postdoctoral Research Fellow, position code 1352 in salary range NOK from 680 00 – 810 000, depending on competence and experience.

Information

At HVO, we are committed to diversity and inclusion. Employees with different backgrounds and life experiences help us develop better solutions and strengthen our work. We therefore encourage all qualified candidates to apply, regardless of age, gender, disability, or ethnic background. Applicants are also welcome even if they cannot document a continuous career history.

Our premises are universally designed, and we will make reasonable accommodations for employees with disabilities. Applicants with a disability, an immigrant background, or gaps in their CV may be eligible for preferential consideration if they indicate this when applying for the position. At least one qualified applicant from each of these groups will be invited for an interview. Eligibility for such consideration is subject to specific requirements.

Employment will be in accordance with the Norwegian State Employees Act, relevant regulations, and applicable instructions in force at any given time, including compulsory membership in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund.

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to interview. Candidates invited for interview must present original diplomas and certificates to verify the documents submitted electronically.

Application

All applicants must submit their application digitally via Jobbnorge (our recruitment portal). Please upload relevant documentation, such as diplomas, transcripts, and certificates of employment. Please note that your application will be assessed based on the information and attachments submitted by the application deadline. It is therefore important that you clearly explain how your qualifications meet the requirements for the position.

After the application deadline, HVO will prepare a public list of applicants in accordance with Norwegian regulations.

Your application will be assessed based on the material submitted by the application deadline via Jobbnorge. Please include:

• Application letter
• Motivation and relevance statement (1–2 page): briefly describing the applicant’s motivation and how their academic background and competencies are relevant to MInDReading.
• CV including full publication list
• Diplomas and transcripts (all degrees, including PhD or documentation of submitted dissertation)
• Contact information for 2–3 references
• Up to three writing samples (e.g., published papers, manuscripts under review, or PhD thesis chapters)

Applications can be written in English or a Scandinavian language.

Contact

For further information about the position please contact Jade Sandstedt, [email protected] / +47 70 07 52 98.

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The town of Volda

In the middle of fjords and mountains in spectacular Sunnmøre you will find Volda University College, with its long traditions.

www.hivolda.no

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Volda University college

Volda University College is the university college for humanities and social sciences in Møre og Romsdal. We are an exciting and growing competence organization with approximately 4,500 students and 380 employees. We provide education in a number of subject areas, vocational education and continuing and further education in close collaboration with society and business. Volda University College conducts a lot of research and development work and focuses on research training and competence building for employees in collaboration with universities at home and abroad.

 

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Deadline

3rd August 2026

Employer

Høgskulen i Volda

Municipality

Volda

Scope

Fulltime (1 positions) Fulltime (%)

Duration

Fixed Term

Place of service
Joplassvegen 11, 6103 Volda

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