Descripción
The PhD position is part of the Horizon Europe Framework Programme (HORIZON) Doctoral Network "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 by both local and network-wide events and other (international) training opportunities.
The Center for the Study of Language and Society (CSLS) at the University of Bern is an interdisciplinary research center located in the Faculty of Humanities. CSLS research focuses on exploring how social changes affect languages and language use, how social beliefs and ideologies are reproduced and transmitted through language, and how, conversely, beliefs about language and language users have lasting social impacts. 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, and research ethics. The CSLS maintains 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 immediately before their appointment.
• The candidate must not already be in possession of 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
• Familiarity with virtual reality environments
• Good command of academic English (oral and written)
• Desire to be part of an international research network
• Ability to travel across Europe/North America for research training and secondments
• Experience working in a team, ability to work independently and to meet agreed deadlines
**Working Conditions:**
• Gross salary: ca. CHF 73'733 per annum
• Mobility allowance: ca. CHF 7'970 per annum
• Family allowance (if applicable): ca. CHF 7'409 per annum
Values listed are indicative. Final salary will follow MSCA guidelines and 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. Familiarity with German is an asset, but not a requirement.
**Training Opportunities and Career Development Plan**
The successful candidate will be given an opportunity for professional development and for improving their employability through access to a Personal Career Development Plan which includes:
1) Training through individually personalized research project under senior supervision
2) Exchanging knowledge with the scientific community and the general public
3) Network-wide training in theory and methods
4) Complementary training courses
5) Involvement in proposal writing, task coordination
6) Development of skills for the organization of training and scientific events
The University of Bern seeks to promote an inclusive and collegial environment where all talents can flourish, regardless of gender, sexuality, age, cultural background, nationality or disability. If you have any questions relating to accessibility or support, please contact us.
**Application**
Deadline for application: 25.10.2025
First-round interviews (online) with Prof Levon: mid-November
Second-round interviews (online) with HUM.AI.N network: late-November/early-December
Final decision: by 08.12.2025
Feedback to all applicants: by 12.12.2025
To apply, please submit the following documents as a single PDF file to Prof Erez Levon (erez.levon@unibe.ch) by 25 October 2025:
* A statement outlining your research interests and experience and your motivation to apply for the position, including an indication of the specific social/linguistic context you would be interested in researching (2 pages maximum)
* a current CV
* two letters of recommendation