PhD Position in Linguistics at University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
About the Program
The University of Antwerp invites applications for a fully-funded PhD position in Linguistics, focusing on Computational Linguistics & Webcare. This research project aims to explore multilingual online customer service communication, with a focus on hotel review-response interactions. Students will engage in computational analysis, publish scientific articles, and explore AI-based solutions for generating tailored responses based on linguistic and cultural contexts. This is a fantastic opportunity to join a dynamic research group, contribute to cutting-edge research, and work with leading experts in the field.
Program Details
- Position: Fully-funded PhD Position / Doctoral Researcher
- Institution: University of Antwerp
- Department/Faculty: Department of Linguistics
- Supervisor: [Prof. Luna Debruyne (if applicable)]
- Location: Antwerp, Belgium
- Start Date (Anticipated): October 2025
- Duration: 4 years
- Funding: Full scholarship (monthly stipend according to doctoral scholarship amounts)
- Working Hours: 35 hrs/week
- Required Degree/Diploma: Master’s degree (or equivalent) in digital text analysis, linguistics, communication sciences, computer sciences, or related fields
Research Focus
The PhD research will focus on the following key areas:
- Multilingual online customer service communication
- Cross-linguistic comparison of pragmatic-rhetorical features in hotel reviews and responses
- Computational methods in linguistic analysis
- Development of generative AI systems for automated response generation
Eligibility & Qualifications
Minimum Requirements:
- Master’s degree (or equivalent) in digital text analysis, linguistics, digital humanities, applied linguistics, communication sciences, computer sciences, or similar fields
- Strong background or interest in computational linguistics and automatic text modeling
- Proficiency in Python and knowledge of machine learning
- Excellent knowledge of English; knowledge of other languages from the corpus (Dutch, German, French, Italian, or Spanish) is recommended
Preferred Qualifications:
- Research experience in linguistics or computational methods
- Strong academic record
- Experience with scientific research and a keen interest in obtaining a PhD
Key Features of the Program
- Structured academic research with the opportunity to publish scientific articles
- International research environment with collaborations across disciplines
- Access to cutting-edge resources at the CLiPS research group
- Conference and travel funding to present research internationally
- A dynamic and stimulating working environment
Application Process
How to Apply:
Submit your application through the University of Antwerp’s online job application platform. Include the following required documents:
- Motivation letter
- CV (including references)
- Copy of your Master’s degree
- Official transcripts from Bachelor’s and Master’s courses
- A copy of your Master’s thesis or a first version (if thesis is pending)
Important Dates:
- Applications Open: [Date]
- Deadline: 16 June 2025 (by midnight Brussels time)
- Interviews: Between 7 and 10 July 2025
Where to Apply:
- University Website: University of Antwerp
- Job Posting Link: Doctoral scholarship holder in linguistics (computational linguistics and webcare) | University of Antwerp
- Application Portal: Apply Here
