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Project Overview

This project aims to develop, implement and test a general model of memory that can provide insights into how we store and retrieve linguistic information and how our language use is intertwined with memory when we communicate. The model to be developed and tested will be hybrid in the sense that it merges linguistic factors uncovered in computational and theoretical linguistics with general cognitive mechanisms. The overarching goal is to find out how the model of memory can be generalised across various linguistic domains, from the lexicon through syntax to discourse semantics, and how the memory model can help us predict diverse quantitative data in linguistics and cognitive science.

Project Components

There are two components in the project: an empirical one and a computational one. The empirical component will consist of developing, carrying out and analysing experiments that collect behavioral data (e.g., reaction times, eye fixations) or EEG data. The computational modelling component will involve simulating behavioral and neural data connected to processing and memory retrieval. The project will involve 2 PhD students and 2 post-doctoral researchers. While the focus of the PhD students should be on the empirical component, they will be encouraged to cross over to the computational component.

Tasks for the PhD students:

1. Completion and defense of an article-based PhD thesis within four years;
2. Publication of peer-reviewed articles in established international journals;
3. Regular presentation of intermediate research results at workshops and conferences;
4. Co-organization of project workshops, language training and conferences;
5. Participation in training programs and international expert meetings;
6. Participation in relevant training programmes provided by the Institute for Language Sciences (ILS) and Utrecht University Graduate School, the National Graduate School of Linguistics (LOT) and other organisations.

Job Requirements

We are looking for two PhD students with:

1. A Master degree (or equivalent) in linguistics, psychology or artificial intelligence in hand by the starting date;
2. Demonstrable knowledge in at least one of the following areas: experimental research, statistical analyses, linguistic theories, computational linguistics;
3. High proficiency in academic English;
4. Ability to work both as an independent researcher and as a team member;
5. Affinity with interdisciplinary research;
6. Strong organisational, social and communication skills;
7. Ability to meet deadlines;
8. Readiness to learn new experimental methods and statistical analyses;
9. Prior experience with reaction-time experiments, reading experiments (e.g., eye tracking) or EEG experiments is a plus.