The IMPRS for Language Sciences invites applications for TWO PhD fellowships that are funded by the Max Planck Society for the Advancement of Science. The goal of the scheme is to enable young researchers to pursue interdisciplinary research projects in the language sciences, supervised by leading scientists at the Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics and its partner institutes at the Radboud University -- the Centre for Language Studies and the Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour.

For the current round, the hiring departments -- Language & Genetics and Multimodal Language -- are looking to fill one position each. Please consult the project listings further below for more information.

Please refer to our website for job requirements and read more about the projects.

Fixed-term contract: For 4 years.

What we offer you

• The position is intended to begin in Sep-Oct 2025; start-date is negotiable but the candidate should be in place by the end of 2025.
• Full-time position (39 hours per week) for 4 years; part-time option negotiable.
• Salary determined according to the German TVöD (Tarifvertrag für den öffentlichen Dienst) and is classified in salary group/level E13, 65% of level 1. The current gross monthly salary is approx. €3,008.69 based on full-time employment, plus a holiday bonus of 8% of the gross salary (€38,992.00 gross per year, including holiday bonus).
• 30 holidays per year, based on full-time employment; in addition, we honor the Dutch and German public holidays.
• Enrollment in a personal pension scheme to which both employer and employee pay a monthly contribution.
• Access to state-of-the art research and training facilities and a generous conference and travel budget. 
• Educational training programme provided by the International Max Planck Research School for Language Sciences.
• Doctoral degree conferred by Radboud University, our partner university.

Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics

About our institute

The Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics is a world-leading research institute devoted to interdisciplinary studies of the science of language and communication, including departments on genetics, psychology, development, neurobiology and multimodality of these fundamental human abilities.

We investigate how children and adults acquire their language(s), how speaking and listening happen in real time, how the brain processes language, how the human genome contributes to building a language-ready brain, how multiple modalities (as in speech, gesture and sign) shape language and its use in diverse languages and how language is related to cognition and culture, and shaped by evolution.

About our graduate school

The IMPRS for Language Sciences is a joint initiative of the Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics and two research institutes based at Radboud University -- the Centre for Language Studies and the Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour. The graduate school serves to bring together outstanding doctoral students from diverse disciplines in the language sciences on campus, and offer them high-quality training in an environment that both broadens their interdisciplinary experience and prepares them for fulfilling careers in the language sciences.

Our education and training programme involves both core and individually chosen coursework to complement the PhD research, and training in soft skills such as writing and presentation. Learn more here.

We are part of the Max Planck Society, an independent non-governmental association of German-funded research institutes dedicated to fundamental research in the natural sciences, life sciences, social sciences, and the humanities.

The Max Planck Society is an equal opportunities employer. We recognise the positive value of diversity and inclusion, promote equity and challenge discrimination. We aim to provide a working environment with room for differences, where everyone feels a sense of belonging. Therefore, we welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates.

Our institute is situated on the campus of the Radboud University and has close collaborative links with the Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour and the Centre for Language Studies at Radboud University. We also work closely with other child development researchers as part of the Baby & Child Research Center.

01. What is the timeline?

Tentative Schedule

• Full advert posted 31 – Oct 2024
• Application portal opens – 01 Nov
• Application deadline – 6 Jan 2025
• Shortlisted candidates invited – 14 Feb
• Referees of shortlisted candidates contacted to complete a reference form – 14 Feb
• Reference form submission deadline – 21 Feb
• Informal conversations with department IMPRSers – 17 Feb - 14 Mar
• Informal conversation with selection committee and potential supervisors – 17 Feb – 14 Mar
• Notice of offers & rejections sent – 31 Mar

02. How do I submit my application and what needs to be included in the application?

You are required to submit your application via the portal.
In order for an application to be considered for review, it must contain the following:

• a curriculum vitae (using our template)
• a letter of motivation (using our template)
• one-page summary of your master's thesis, and
• supporting documents, such as academic degrees, certificates, diplomas and transcripts.

A photo is not required. In fact, we encourage you to remove any photos from your application.

IMPORTANT: Consult the remaining FAQ items to ensure that your application is complete and meets the requirements to be considered for review.

03. What information must be included in the curriculum vitae and letter of motivation?

To ensure you provide all the necessary information we will need for the review process, please make use of the provided templates. Note that we provide useful comments within each file to help you complete your application properly. Should these comments not be visible, please consult this webpage.

04. May I apply to more than 1 project?

Language & Genetics: You may apply to BOTH projects. In your letter of motivation, please rank each project clearly and state your reasons for this ranking. Please submit ONE letter of motivation per project within the same application.

Multimodal Language: You may apply to only ONE project.

05. Do I need to include transcripts from my bachelor and/or master studies? What if I do not have official transcripts in English / Dutch / German?

Yes, please enclose official transcripts (in English, Dutch or German) of all your degree-level studies.

Documents in languages other than English, Dutch or German must be translated into any of the aforementioned languages. We apologise for any inconveniences this may cause.

For the application, you may submit a tentative non-certified English / Dutch / German translation of the document(s). The original document(s) must be included in your application.

Certified true or notarised copies (including translated ones) must be promptly provided upon request when the applicant is invited for an interview. Ultimately, these versions will be required in order for an official offer of employment to be made and to be issued a contract of employment at the MPI for Psycholinguistics.

06. Am I required to submit a certificate of English proficiency?

Solid knowledge of the English language (CEFR B2 level) is necessary. However, we do not require proof of English language proficiency by means of a language test. Nevertheless, you may include the result of any such test if you have already taken one.

07. Am I required to take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test?

No, we do not require any GRE scores. Nevertheless, you may include the result of any such test if you have already taken one.

08. May I apply while still completing my current academic degree?

Certainly! Please be sure to include a transcript of records that includes the grades of all coursework completed so far. Do note that if your application is successful, you are required to provide the original final transcript and your academic certificates (as well as certified translations if these are not in English, Dutch or German) no later than the time of admission into the graduate school.

09. What counts as an equivalent of a (research) masters degree?

Applicants who are completing, or have completed, a 4-year thesis-based Bachelor Honours degree may be considered for our Fellowships. Such degrees may be recognised by the conferring institution as equivalents of masters degree for the purpose of admission into a PhD programme. If this applies to you, please be sure to include an official signed confirmation statement from your institution as part of your supporting documents. We will review all such applications on a case-by-case basis.

Please note that the degree's graduating requirement must include a year-long individual research project supervised by a faculty member, which culminates in a written thesis in the final year. Moreover, evidence of substantial relevant research experience in the intended research topic(s) is desirable.

10. May I complete the doctoral programme on a part-time basis?

Yes, there is the opportunity to do so. We invite you to discuss this with the supervisory team, should you be invited for an interview.

11. Are there opportunities to acquire teaching experience?

Though you will not be required to teach as part of your contract, we provide our IMPRS members with opportunities to teach within and outside the IMPRS community. Such opportunities include workshops, lectures, courses as well as guest lectures at the Radboud University. If you have interest in making use of these opportunities, we invite you to have a conversation about this with the supervisory team, should you be invited for an interview.

12. Who confers the doctoral degree upon graduation?

The doctoral degree will be conferred by one of the faculties at Radboud University.

 13. If successful, will I get help with finding accommodation?

For applicants arriving for the first time in the Netherlands, we can assist you in finding appropriate temporary accommodation, e.g., at the campus guest house. Nevertheless, we cannot guarantee housing in time for your arrival, given the scarce availability. You are strongly advised to actively search for housing on your own and not rely solely on our support. Ultimately, the successful applicant is responsible for arranging their own accommodation for the duration of their PhD project.