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Offre 208 sur 253 du 26/01/2026, 12:11

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Leib­niz-Zen­trum All­ge­meine Sprach­wis­sen­schaft (ZAS)

The GWZ and the ZAS (Leibniz-Centre General Linguistics)
The GWZ - Geisteswissenschaftliche Zentren Berlin e.V. is an association of three renowned research institutions of the Leibniz Association. The GWZ includes the Leibniz-Centre General Linguistics (ZAS), the Leibniz Center for Literary and Cultural Research (ZfL) and the Leibniz Zentrum Moderner Orient (ZMO). The Leibniz-Centre General Linguistics (ZAS) is a non-university research institute of the state of Berlin, which is jointly funded by the federal and state governments; it is administered by the association Geisteswissenschaftliche Zentren Berlin e.V. (GWZ). At the ZAS, the human capacity for language and its expression through individual languages are explored. The aim is to gain a better understanding of this central human ability and its biological, cognitive and social factors. By exploring the structures of language, how they are acquired, and how they are processed, this knowledge can be applied to fields such as language diagnostics or language technology.

Research positions in German Sign Language Acquisition, project DISCAVA

The research area of Semantics & Pragmatics (FB4) at the Leibniz-Centre General Linguistics (ZAS, https://www.leibniz-zas.de) invites applications for two part time research positions in the area of German sign language (DGS) acquisition starting during the first half of 2026. The positions are part of the new project DISCAVA funded by the DFG within the priority program VICOM. The PIs supervising the project are Prof. Uli Sauerland at ZAS and, in a closely related project part at Humboldt University, Prof. Christian Rathmann. Each position is offered for a period of three years and a percentage of 65% (25.35 h/week) at TVÖD pay-grade 13.

Tasks:

The work of the project staff involves analyzing DGS question and relative clause structures within linguistic theory, planning and carrying out DGS elicited production experiments with motion capture and/or video recording, supervising undergraduate research assistants, and writing research papers together with the PIs. Each position requires either near-native fluency in DGS or fluency in another sign language combined with advanced knowledge of DGS. Furthermore, at least an M.A. degree in a relevant field (e.g. linguistics, deaf studies, psychology) is required.

Requirements:

Desired (but not required) qualifications are:

  • strong interest in sign language research
  • knowledge of linguistic theory
  • experience in dynamic team work
  • experience working with children
  • knowledge in statistics and data science
  • ability to communicate in both English and German in written form

What we offer:

What you can expect

  • A varied job in a leading research institution
  • Support to pursue an advanced research degree (e.g. Ph.D.) related to the project work
  • Self-organized work in an international team
  • Strong support from the principal investigators and technical support from the research support staff at ZAS
  • Leadership responsibility for student employees in the team
  • Additional opportunities for professional development with the priority program VICOM
  • A modern, well-equipped workplace and lab facilities in a new building in Berlin-Wilmersdorf (next to U-Bahnhof Spichernstraße)
  • Renumeration in accordance with the collective agreement for the public service (TVöD Bund), including the usual benefits (30 vacation days, plus the option of VBLU, company ticket)
  • An attractive working environment with friendly colleagues in an internationally networked organization and a committed, helpful team with a wide range of training opportunities

The ZAS is certified for ensuring family-friendly working conditions by the audit “workandfamily (berufundfamilie)”. The ZAS strives to strengthen gender balance and diversity of staff in all working areas and at all scientific levels. Members of groups traditionally underrepresented in German academic positions as well as in science support positions are particularly encouraged to apply. We particularly welcome applications from people with disabilities. In addition, the ZAS strives to implement the principles of Open Science.

How to apply:

Please send your application in PDF format with the following documents to sauerland@leibniz-zas.de by February 11th, 2026 (initial review) or until the position is filled:

  1. a detailed application letter in English or German that shows how you correspond to the respective task description or task descriptions,
  2. Curriculum Vitae and relevant certificates (degrees, transcripts, letters of evaluation)
  3. up to three products of your own work that demonstrate your relevant skills (these can also be provided via http links if necessary).

The application for the position requires the consent of the purpose-related storage / processing of personal data (Art. 13 GDPR) for the selection of applicants (https://www.gwz-
berlin.de/kontakt/datenschutz/). Do not apply if you do not consent to these. If you wish to apply by secure email, please contact us for a PGP key.