PhD Stelle in Semantik/Pragmatik

Universität Konstanz
Konstanz
Deutschland
1. Juli 2015
The Department of Linguistics of the University of Konstanz invites applicants for a

Doctoral Research Position
(Salary Scale 13 TV-L / 65 \%)

Applicants are invited for a three-year doctoral position within the Research Unit "What if: On the epistemological, pragmatic, psychological and cultural significance of counterfactual thinking" (second phase), funded by the DFG (Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft) at the University of Konstanz. The successful candidate is expected to work within the project "Semantics and pragmatics of counterfactuals: from sentence to discourse" and undertake research towards       a  Ph. D. in linguistics. The position is available as of July 1st, 2015.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION
The project investigates the semantics and pragmatics of conditional sentences, in three domains: at the sentence level, at the discourse level and at the interface with epistemology. At the sentence level, the contribution of morphological marking (mood, tense, aspect) is investigated as well as its relation to cancellable / uncancellable implications (e. g. counterfactuality). At the discourse level, we compare variably strict analyses with strict analyses that use a pragmatic modal horizon, focusing on Sobel sequences and on the licensing of negative polarity items. At the interface with epistemology, we compare the behavior of conditionals with that of epistemic modals and evidentialS, to gain new insights on how to model the truth-/assertability-conditions of conditional sentences.


PREREQUISITES
Applicants should have an M.A. degree (or equivalent) in linguistics by the start date and should specialize in formal semantics and/or formal pragmatics. Knowledge of logic and/or philosophy of language is welcome.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE
Applicants should send a short cover letter, a full CV, one sample publication or paper and the name and contact information of one potential referee by May 17th, 2015 to Maribel Romero at the following email address: maribel.romero@uni-konstanz.de . Please indicate in the subject field "PhD position in Research Unit /What if".

The University of Konstanz encourages disabled persons to apply. They will be given preference if appropriately qualified (contact + 49 (0) 7531 / 88 – 4016 und 88 - 2834).

The University of Konstanz has been certified as a family-friendly institution by the Hertie Foundation and is committed to further the compatibility of work and family life.

The University of Konstanz is an equal opportunity employer that tries to increase the number of women in research and teaching.

The University of Konstanz offers a „Dual Career Couples Program“. Information can be obtained from: http://https://www.familie.uni-konstanz.de/dual-career/  .