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Post-Doctoral position - Department of Linguistics

Position overview

Salary range: A reasonable estimated salary range for this position is $66,737 - $71,769

Application Window

Open date: May 28, 2025

Next review date: Thursday, Jun 12, 2025 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.

Final date: Thursday, May 28, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Applications will continue to be accepted until this date, but those received after the review date will only be considered if the position has not yet been filled.

Position description

We are looking to recruit a postdoctoral scholar for a position in an NSF-funded research project entitled “Generalization versus item-specificity in language processing and change”. The goal of the project is to quantify how human language processing relies on both productive language knowledge and knowledge of specific previously-encountered items. The position includes corpus analysis, running behavioral psycholinguistic experiments, and computational modeling of language data.

We are seeking candidates with strong experimental, quantitative and/or computational training in linguistics, psychology, cognitive science, or a related field. Computer/information scientists with interest in human behavior are also welcome to apply. The postdoctoral scholar will work closely with PI Emily Morgan. The position will be based at UC Davis.

Applicants should submit a CV, 1-2 writing samples, and a statement describing your research interests and experience (as well as any other qualifications you wish to highlight).

The target state date is October 1, 2025, with some flexibility. The position is for one year. A reasonable estimated salary range for this position is $66,737 - $71,769

Qualifications

Basic qualifications (required at time of application)

• PhD in Linguistics, Psychology, Cognitive Science, or a related field
• A PhD is required to start the position but not required at time of application.
• Excellent research track record.
• Excellent writing skills.
• Experience in computational and statistical methods and analyses.
• Experience in programming.
• A track record of independent initiative in research.

Preferred qualifications (other preferred, but not required, qualifications for the position)

• Experience with psycholinguistic experiments
• Experience with natural language processing
• Advanced skills in computational and statistical methods and analyses
• Excellent oral communication skills
• Experience in mentoring
• Familiarity with relevant literature on generalization and item-specific knowledge

Application Requirements

Document requirements
  • Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.

  • Statement of Research

  • Writing Sample

  • Writing Sample 2 (Optional)

  • Authorization to Release Information Form - This form is required for all applicants applying to academic recruitments. Please see the Employment Disclosure Requirements webpage for more information. Download, complete, sign, and upload the form.

Reference requirements
  • 3-5 required (contact information only)
Apply link: https://recruit.ucdavis.edu/JPF07123

Help contact: aychang@ucdavis.edu

About UC Davis

As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct, are currently being investigated for misconduct, left a position during an investigation for alleged misconduct, or have filed an appeal with a previous employer.

To implement this process, UC Davis requires all applicants for any open search to complete, sign, and upload the form entitled, "Authorization to Release Information" into UC RECRUIT as part of their application. If an applicant does not include the signed authorization with the application materials, the application will be considered incomplete, and as with any incomplete application, will not receive further consideration.

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The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state for federal law.

Under Federal law, the University of California may employ only individuals who are legally able to work in the United States as established by providing documents as specified in the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986. Certain UC Davis positions funded by federal contracts or sub-contracts require the selected candidate to pass an E-Verify check. More information is available at: http://www.uscis.gov/e-verify

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Job location

Davis, CA