The Linguistics Department of the University of California, Santa Barbara seeks to hire a specialist in discourse-based approaches to functional explanation for grammar. The appointment will be tenure-track at the Assistant Professor level, effective July 1, 2012.
Candidates’ research should be based on a functionally oriented, empirically grounded approach to discourse and grammar, addressing the ways that language use shapes linguistic structure, and making significant theoretical contributions to the question of why languages are as they are. Candidates will be preferred whose research addresses the multidimensional nature of functional explanation, integrating insights from among the following areas: cross-linguistic and typological approaches to functional explanation for grammar; semantic and pragmatic motivations for grammar; historical change, evolution, and grammaticization; interactional functions and sociolinguistic variation of grammar; cognitive processing of grammar; use of innovative methodologies, such as current techniques for corpus-based quantitative and qualitative analysis; work with understudied language(s).
We are especially interested in candidates who show the ability to link the theoretical implications of their research to other subdisciplines in linguistics and to related fields, and to interact with colleagues and students across disciplinary boundaries at UCSB. Candidates must have demonstrated excellence in teaching, and will be expected to teach a range of graduate and undergraduate courses in both functional grammar and general linguistics.
Ph.D. in linguistics or a related field is required. Ph.D. normally required by the time of appointment. To ensure full consideration, all application materials, including letters of reference, should be received by November 1, 2011. The position will remain open until filled. Applicants should submit the following to search@linguistics.ucsb.edu in a standard electronic format (preferably pdf or rtf): letter of application, statement of research interests, curriculum vitae, and 2 writing samples. Applicants should request 3 academic letters of reference to be sent directly to search (at) linguistics.ucsb.edu by the November 1 deadline. Applicants should also complete the supplemental online data form at http://www.linguistics.ucsb.edu/search/coversheet.html. Fax and mail applications not accepted. Inquiries may be addressed to the Search Committee at search (at) linguistics.ucsb.edu. Interviews will be conducted either via Skype video conference call or in person at the Linguistic Society of America annual meeting (January 5-8, 2012); either interview format will be considered equivalent for consideration.
Our department has a genuine commitment to diversity, and is especially interested in candidates who can contribute to the diversity and excellence of the academic community through research, teaching and service. UCSB is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer.