PhD Researcher: Unraveling the Dynamics of Language Evolution

1 week geleden


Utrecht, Utrecht, Nederland Universiteit Utrecht Voltijd
About the Project

This PhD research project focuses on understanding the interplay between biophysical and social factors in shaping language evolution and diversity. We aim to develop an agent-based modeling approach to simulate how languages change, merge, and split over time, using large datasets of environmental, demographic, sociocultural, and linguistic variables.

Your Role

As a PhD researcher, you will be responsible for analyzing data on biophysical and demographic variables across South America since 20,000 years ago, developing a spatial agent-based simulation model of language evolution, and using this model to quantify the relative role of biophysical and sociocultural factors in shaping language diversity in South America.

Requirements
  • MSc in geoinformatics, computer science, (spatial / geographic) data science, or a thematic domain with a considerable component of computational science or data science;
  • Interest in the historical dynamics of culture and language;
  • Experience in handling spatial data;
  • Programming and modeling experience, preferably in Python;
  • Proficiency in English;
  • Strong communication skills;
  • Ability to work independently as part of an interdisciplinary research team.
What We Offer

We offer a position for one year, with an extension to a total of four years upon a successful assessment in the first year, and with the specific intent that it results in a doctorate within this period. The working week is 36 hours, and the gross monthly salary is between €2,872 and €3,670 in the case of full-time employment. We also offer 8% holiday pay, 8.3% year-end bonus, a pension scheme, partially paid parental leave, and flexible terms of employment.

About Us

Utrecht University's Faculty of Geosciences studies the Earth: from the core to its surface, including man's spatial and material utilization of the Earth – always with a focus on sustainability and innovation. We are a strong and challenging organization with 3,400 students (BSc and MSc) and 720 staff. The Faculty of Geosciences is organized in four Departments: Earth Sciences, Human Geography & Spatial Planning, Physical Geography, and Sustainable Development.



  • Utrecht, Utrecht, Nederland Universiteit Utrecht Voltijd

    About the ProjectWe are seeking a highly motivated PhD researcher to join our team at Universiteit Utrecht. The successful candidate will work on a project that aims to understand the interplay between biophysical and social processes in shaping language evolution and diversity.Key ResponsibilitiesDevelop and apply agent-based simulation models to study...


  • Utrecht, Utrecht, Nederland Universiteit Utrecht Voltijd

    About the ProjectThis PhD research project focuses on understanding the interplay between biophysical and social factors in shaping language evolution and diversity. We aim to develop an agent-based modeling approach to simulate how languages change, merge, and split over time, using large datasets of environmental, demographic, sociocultural, and linguistic...


  • Utrecht, Utrecht, Nederland Universiteit Utrecht Voltijd

    About the ProjectThis PhD research project focuses on understanding the interplay between biophysical and social factors in shaping language evolution and diversity. We aim to develop an agent-based modeling approach to simulate how languages change, merge, and split over time, using large datasets of environmental, demographic, sociocultural, and linguistic...


  • Utrecht, Utrecht, Nederland Universiteit Utrecht Voltijd

    About the ProjectWe are seeking a highly motivated PhD researcher to join our team at Universiteit Utrecht, Faculty of Geosciences, to work on a project that combines agent-based simulation modelling and geographical data to understand the evolution of linguistic diversity. The project aims to quantify the roles of sociocultural and biophysical factors in...


  • Utrecht, Utrecht, Nederland Universiteit Utrecht Voltijd

    About the ProjectThis project aims to understand and quantify the roles of sociocultural and biophysical factors in the evolution of linguistic diversity using an agent-based modelling approach. The spatial agent-based model will simulate how and where languages change, merge, and split over time.Key ResponsibilitiesAnalyse data on biophysical and...


  • Utrecht, Utrecht, Nederland Universiteit Utrecht Voltijd

    About the JobWe are seeking two PhD students to join our research team at the Copernicus Institute for Sustainable Development, Universiteit Utrecht. The successful candidates will be part of the POTRANSI project, a 5-year research initiative funded by the European Research Council (ERC).The project aims to explore the power dynamics underlying social...


  • Utrecht, Utrecht, Nederland Universiteit Utrecht Voltijd

    About the JobWe are seeking a highly motivated PhD researcher to join our team at Universiteit Utrecht. The successful candidate will be part of a research project focused on developing and testing educational tools to foster safe sports environments.Job DescriptionThe PhD researcher will work on designing, developing, and testing interventions to prevent...


  • Utrecht, Utrecht, Nederland Universiteit Utrecht Voltijd

    About the JobWe are seeking a highly motivated PhD researcher to join our team at Universiteit Utrecht. The successful candidate will be part of a dynamic research group focused on developing innovative solutions to prevent interpersonal violence in sports environments.Job DescriptionThe PhD researcher will work on designing, developing, and testing...


  • Utrecht, Utrecht, Nederland Universiteit Utrecht Voltijd

    About the JobWe are seeking a highly motivated PhD researcher to join our team at Universiteit Utrecht. The successful candidate will be part of a larger PhD program that is set up as a cooperation between four universities in the Netherlands and industry partners. The program investigates various aspects related to the development of the large-scale...


  • Utrecht, Utrecht, Nederland Universiteit Utrecht Voltijd

    About the JobWe are seeking a highly motivated and talented PhD researcher to join our team at Universiteit Utrecht. The successful candidate will be part of a four-year PhD research project focused on the approximation of the laws of the EU Member States in criminal matters and minimum rules in the EU's Area of Freedom, Security and Justice.Key...


  • Utrecht, Utrecht, Nederland Universiteit Utrecht Voltijd

    About the JobWe are seeking two PhD students to join our research team at the Copernicus Institute for Sustainable Development, Universiteit Utrecht. The successful candidates will be part of the POTRANSI project, a 5-year research initiative funded by the European Research Council (ERC).The project aims to explore the power dynamics underlying social...


  • Utrecht, Utrecht, Nederland Universiteit Utrecht Voltijd

    About the ProjectThis project aims to understand and quantify the roles of sociocultural and biophysical factors in the evolution of linguistic diversity using an agent-based modelling approach. The spatial agent-based model will simulate how and where languages change, merge, and split over time. We will use linguistics theory in combination with large...


  • Utrecht, Utrecht, Nederland Universiteit Utrecht Voltijd

    About the PositionWe are seeking a highly motivated and talented researcher to join our team at Universiteit Utrecht as a PhD Researcher in Protein Folding and Degradation. The successful candidate will contribute to our research on the molecular principles of protein quality control and its impact on human health.Key ResponsibilitiesConduct cutting-edge...


  • Utrecht, Utrecht, Nederland Universiteit Utrecht Voltijd

    About the JobWe are seeking a highly motivated and talented researcher to join our team at Universiteit Utrecht as a PhD Researcher in Protein Folding and Degradation. The successful candidate will contribute to our research on the molecular principles of protein quality control and its impact on human health.Key ResponsibilitiesConduct cutting-edge research...


  • Utrecht, Utrecht, Nederland Universiteit Utrecht Voltijd

    About the ProjectWe are seeking a highly motivated PhD researcher to join our team in the NWO/Vidi project "Improvising Security: Subsistence in Contemporary Urban Europe". The project aims to investigate how individuals address everyday challenges through various strategies in urban Europe, with a focus on Rotterdam.The PhD researcher will collaborate with...


  • Utrecht, Utrecht, Nederland Universiteit Utrecht Voltijd

    About the JobWe are seeking a highly motivated PhD researcher to join our team at the Utrecht University School of Law. The successful candidate will be working on a four-year PhD research project focused on the approximation of the laws of the EU Member States in criminal matters and minimum rules in the EU's Area of Freedom, Security and Justice.Research...


  • Utrecht, Utrecht, Nederland Universiteit Utrecht Voltijd

    About the ProjectThe Universiteit Utrecht is seeking a PhD researcher to join the ERC project 'Making Sense of Communities of Arms'. This five-year project aims to establish a new research agenda that centralises the firearm as a sensational actant that shapes everyday practices and relations, creates divergent communities, and (re)produces power structures...


  • Utrecht, Utrecht, Nederland Universiteit Utrecht Voltijd

    About the JobWe are seeking a highly motivated PhD researcher to join our team at the Utrecht University School of Law. The successful candidate will be working on a four-year PhD research project focused on the approximation of the laws of the EU Member States in criminal matters and minimum rules in the EU's Area of Freedom, Security and Justice.Research...


  • Utrecht, Utrecht, Nederland Universiteit Utrecht Voltijd

    About the JobWe are seeking a highly motivated PhD researcher to join our team at Universiteit Utrecht. The successful candidate will be responsible for conducting research on the impact of high expectations on children's mental health and school adjustment.The PhD project focuses on the role of parental, teacher, and peer expectations in shaping children's...


  • Utrecht, Utrecht, Nederland Universiteit Utrecht Voltijd

    About the ProjectThe Universiteit Utrecht is seeking a PhD researcher to join the ERC project, 'Making Sense of Communities of Arms'. This five-year project aims to establish a new research agenda that centralises the firearm as a sensational actant that shapes everyday practices and relations, creates divergent communities, and (re)produces power structures...