Funded PhD Position on Accent Bias in Legal Contexts / Funded PhD Position on Accent Bias in Legal Contexts

PhD Position in Human and Human-AI Interactions

The PhD position is part of the Horizon Europe Framework Programme (HORIZON) Doctoral Network titled "Bridging Communication Gaps in Human and Human-AI Interactions: The Role of Accented Speech on Neurocognitive Mechanisms and Social Dynamics (HUM.AI.N-ACCENT)."

Job Description

The successful candidate will receive interdisciplinary training in theories and methods for the study of linguistic variation, accent perception, cognitive processing, and accent bias, as well as general professional training for an academic career. Training will be delivered through local and network-wide events, alongside international training opportunities.

The Center for the Study of Language and Society (CSLS) at the University of Bern is an interdisciplinary research center located within the Faculty of Humanities. CSLS research delves into how social changes affect languages and language use, how social beliefs and ideologies are reproduced and transmitted through language, and the lasting social impacts of beliefs about language and language users. The CSLS offers a comprehensive research training programme, including advanced training in:

• Sociolinguistic field methods
• Quantitative and qualitative linguistic analysis
• Instrumental phonetic analysis
• Behavioural experiments
• Social media analysis
• Research ethics

The CSLS is equipped with two state-of-the-art linguistic labs, featuring professional-grade audio recording, eye-tracking, VR, and behavioural experiment stations.

Candidate Profile and Selection Criteria

Essential Criteria:

• A Master's degree (or equivalent) in Linguistics, Sociolinguistics, Social Psychology, or a related field
• The candidate must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in Switzerland for more than 12 months in the 36 months preceding their appointment.
• The candidate must not already possess a doctoral degree.

Desirable Criteria:

• Prior experience with sociolinguistic experiments
• Knowledge of statistical data analysis and modelling
• Familiarity with theories of social (and sociolinguistic) cognition
• Experience with virtual reality environments
• Strong command of academic English (oral and written)
• Desire to be part of an international research network
• Willingness to travel across Europe/North America for research training and secondments
• Experience working in a team, with the ability to work independently and meet agreed deadlines

Working Conditions

• Gross salary: approximately CHF 73,733 per annum
• Mobility allowance: approximately CHF 7,970 per annum
• Family allowance (if applicable): approximately CHF 7,409 per annum

Values listed are indicative. The final salary will adhere to MSCA guidelines and will be determined during the recruitment process. Gross salary includes mandatory employer social security contributions.

Language

The primary working language of the HUM.AI.N-ACCENT network is English. The main administrative language of the University of Bern is German. While familiarity with German is an asset, it is not a requirement.

Training Opportunities and Career Development Plan

The successful candidate will have the opportunity for professional development and enhancing their employability through access to a Personal Career Development Plan, which includes:

• Training through a personalized research project under senior supervision
• Exchange of knowledge with the scientific community and the general public
• Network-wide training in theory and methods
• Complementary training courses
• Involvement in proposal writing and task coordination
• Skill development for organizing training and scientific events

The University of Bern is committed to fostering an inclusive and collegial environment where all talents can flourish, irrespective of gender, sexuality, age, cultural background, nationality, or disability. For inquiries related to accessibility or support, please reach out to us.

Application

To apply online, please use the form below. Note that only applications matching the job profile will be considered.