PhD Student

Job description

For the Ghent University Research Centre MULTIPLES we are looking for a PhD candidate to work on a project titled “Spanish L2 academic vocabulary knowledge and its relationship to textual comprehension.” The research is situated in the domain of Second Language Learning and Second Language Pedagogy. This project explores receptive knowledge of academic vocabulary in L2 Spanish university students, and the effects of this knowledge on textual comprehension. The research particularly focuses on developing a corpus of academic language and assessing L2 Spanish learners’ knowledge of academic vocabulary and textual comprehension.

• Developing a corpus
• Designing testing instruments
• Collecting and analyzing data
• Writing a dissertation on the basis of the project
• Preparing individual and joint publications for national and international scientific journals
• Presenting your research at national and international conferences
• Preparing oral and written reports for the institutions / agencies participating in the research
• You will occasionally assist in the teaching activities at the department (max. 10%)

Job profile

• Master’s degree in a relevant field (Linguistics, Education, Language studies, Psychology, etc.)
• Fluent in Spanish and English (equivalent to C1 + in Spanish and C1 in English)
• Knowledge of Dutch is a plus
• Academic skills in English
• Familiarity with corpus tools
• Knowledge of testing and assessment methodologies is a plus
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills
• Ability to work independently on your research as well as to work in a team

Our offer

• We offer a full-time position as a doctoral fellow, consisting of an initial period of 12 months, which - after a positive evaluation, will be extended to a total maximum of 48 months.
• The position is available from 1 May 2024, but the starting date is negotiable up to 1 September 2024.
• The fellowship amount is 100% of the net salary of an AAP member in equal family circumstances. The individual fellowship amount is determined by the Department of Personnel and Organization based on family status and seniority. A grant that meets the conditions and criteria of the regulations for doctoral fellowships is considered free of personal income tax. Click here for more information about our salary scales
• All Ghent University staff members enjoy a number of benefits, such as a wide range of training and education opportunities, 36 days of holiday leave (on an annual basis for a full-time job) supplemented by annual fixed bridge days, bicycle allowance and eco vouchers. Click here for a complete overview of all the staff benefits (in Dutch).

How to apply

Applications can be submitted either in Spanish, English or Dutch. Candidates are invited to apply by submitting by e-mail to Prof Nausica Marcos Miguel (nausica.marcosmiguel@ugent.be) by 15 March 2024 the following documents:

A single pdf-document with:

• a letter of application
• a CV (including an overview of the applicant’s study results and the contact details of at least one person we may contact for a reference)
• a copy of the required Master’s degree
• a personal piece of (scientific) writing in the form of a student paper or publication (e.g. Master thesis or article) in Spanish, English or Dutch, demonstrating your academic skills.

On the basis of these documents, candidates will be selected for an interview (interviews can be conducted via videoconferencing software for applicants living or working abroad).

As Ghent University maintains an equal opportunities and diversity policy, everyone is encouraged to apply for this position.

For more information about this vacancy, please contact Prof. Nausica Marcos Miguel (nausica.marcosmiguel@UGent.be).