Tenure Track Assistant Professor of Syntactic Typology Department of Linguistics
Position overview
Application Window
Open date: September 14, 2023
Most recent review date: Monday, Oct 23, 2023 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Applications received after this date will be reviewed by the search committee if the position has not yet been filled.
Final date: Sunday, Jun 30, 2024 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Applications will continue to be accepted until this date, but those received after the review date will only be considered if the position has not yet been filled.
Position description
The Department of Linguistics at the University of California, Santa Barbara seeks to hire a specialist in syntactic typology. The appointment will be a tenure-track position at the Assistant Professor level, effective July 1, 2024.
The successful candidate will have an active research program in typologically-informed syntax and will have a record of participation and evidence of research excellence in this subfield. Engagement with the distinctive usage-based theoretical orientation of the department is expected. Expertise in other levels of linguistic structure above the level of sound, including morphology, discourse, and/or semantics is also desirable.
Additional desiderata include the following: a geographic specialization that expands the department’s areal strengths, expertise in language documentation and/or community-centered language revitalization and reclamation, familiarity with quantitative approaches to typology, and/or the ability to connect empirical research on grammatical structure to the understanding of language change. We also encourage applicants who have the potential to interact with colleagues and students across disciplinary boundaries at UCSB, such as areal studies, language departments, and/or computer science.
A demonstrated commitment to undergraduate and graduate education and a record of successful teaching experience in linguistics or a closely related field is required. The successful candidate will be expected to teach a range of graduate and undergraduate courses in syntax, typology, and potentially other topics. For more information about the department see www.linguistics.ucsb.edu.
The Department of Linguistics 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, professional activities, and service.
In 2023-24, a wide array of UC Santa Barbara departments is partnering with the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion to launch a special faculty recruitment initiative named after Benjamin Banneker, the 18th-century African American mathematician, astronomer, anti-racist, engineer, ecologist, and peace advocate. Funded by an Advancing Faculty Diversity grant from the UC Office of the President, with the goal of diversifying faculty, research, and curriculum, the Banneker Initiative aims to recruit scholars, scientists, and engineers whose disciplinary and interdisciplinary work would take place within the community of interests exemplified by Banneker’s intellectual, ethical, and social commitments as an African American scientist. Applicants may be eligible to be fellows in the Benjamin Banneker Initiative. The community of Banneker Fellows will receive funding for cohort building and professional development activities, including enrollment in the National Center for Faculty Development and Diversity Faculty Success Program, proposal writing training, and seed grants.
Department: http://www.linguistics.ucsb.edu/
Qualifications
At the time of application, applicants must have completed all requirements for a Ph.D. in linguistics or a closely related field, except the dissertation (or equivalent).
• An active research program in typologically-informed syntax and a record of participation in this subfield.
• Evidence of engagement with an exemplar-/usage-based linguistic perspective.
• Evidence of research excellence as determined on the basis of criteria characteristically used to evaluate faculty achievement (e.g. record of publications and other scholarly, creative, and professional activities, originality and impact of research, self-assessments and assessments of colleagues and/or mentors).
• A record of successful teaching experience in linguistics or a closely related field as determined on the basis of criteria characteristically used to evaluate faculty performance in teaching (e.g. breadth and depth of instructional experience in areas germane to the position, student evaluations, self-assessments and assessments of colleagues and/or mentors).
• Evidence of contributions to advancing equity, inclusion, diversity, and justice in the discipline, in higher education, and/or in society, as demonstrated through research; teaching; mentoring; departmental, university, or professional service; community partnerships; public engagement; and/or other activities.
• Expertise in other levels of linguistic structure above the level of sound, including morphology, discourse, and/or semantics.
• Geographic specialization that expands the department’s areal strengths.
• Expertise in language documentation and/or community-centered language revitalization and reclamation.
• Familiarity with quantitative approaches to typology.
• Ability to connect empirical research on grammatical structure to the understanding of language change.
• Potential to interact with colleagues and students across disciplinary boundaries at UCSB, such as areal studies, language departments, and/or computer science.
Application Requirements
Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.
Cover Letter
Statement of Research
Statement of Teaching
Statement of Contributions to Diversity - Statement addressing past and/or potential contributions to diversity through research, teaching, and/or service.
The diversity statements will be reviewed for evidence of teaching, research, professional and/or public service contributions that promote diversity and equal opportunity, such as effective strategies used for the educational advancement of students in various under-represented groups; demonstrated contributions to the advancement of equitable access and diversity in education; and contributions furthering diversity and equal opportunity in higher education through participation in such activities as recruitment, retention, and mentoring of scholars and students.
Misc / Additional - 2 Writing Samples
- 3-4 letters of reference required
Applicants will be asked to name 3-4 references, and the applicant must request letters to complete their application. Applicants must request letters through the UC Recruit system.
Help contact: nmaisha@ucsb.edu
About UC Santa Barbara
The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age or protected veteran status. For the University of California’s Affirmative Action Policy please visit: https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/4010393/PPSM-20. For the University of California’s Anti-Discrimination Policy, please visit: https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/1001004/Anti-Discrimination.
As a condition of employment, you will be required to comply with the University of California Policy on Vaccination Programs, as may be amended or revised from time to time. Federal, state, or local public health directives may impose additional requirements.