PhD in Accent Bias Research – University of Bern HigherJobz

About the Program

The University of Bern is offering a fully funded PhD position at the Center for the Study of Language and Society (CSLS) focusing on accent bias in legal contexts. Starting February 2026, the project investigates how foreign-accented speakers are perceived in courtroom environments, combining experimental sociolinguistics, virtual reality, and quantitative analysis. The doctoral candidate will join the HUM.AI.N-ACCENT international research network, collaborating with 13 labs and 24 academic and non-academic partners across Europe, Canada, and the US. This interdisciplinary program provides training in linguistic variation, cognitive processing, social cognition, and accent perception, along with mentoring, international networking, and professional development. Candidates will gain hands-on experience in VR environments, behavioural experiments, and advanced data analysis, contributing to understanding cognitive and social mechanisms behind accent bias in both human-human and human-AI interactions.

Program Details

Position: Fully Funded PhD Position / Doctoral Researcher
Institution: University of Bern
Department/Faculty: Center for the Study of Language and Society (CSLS)
Supervisor: Prof. Erez Levon
Location: Bern, Switzerland
Start Date (Anticipated): February 2026
Duration: 3 years
Funding: Fully funded under Horizon Europe / Marie Curie Grant (gross salary CHF 73,733/year, mobility allowance CHF 7,970, family allowance CHF 7,409)
Working Hours: 42 hours/week
Required Degree/Diploma: Master’s degree or equivalent in Linguistics, Sociolinguistics, Social Psychology, or related disciplines

Research Focus/Area

Accent bias in legal and courtroom contexts
Experimental sociolinguistics and variationist quantitative analysis
Human-human and human-AI interaction
Cognitive and social processes behind foreign-accent perception
Virtual reality and behavioural experimentation

Eligibility & Qualifications

Minimum Requirements:

Master’s degree in Linguistics, Sociolinguistics, Social Psychology, or related field
Must not have resided or carried out main activity in Switzerland for more than 12 months in the 36 months prior to appointment
Must not already hold a doctoral degree
Excellent academic English (oral and written)

Preferred Qualifications:

Experience with sociolinguistic experiments
Knowledge of statistical data analysis and modelling
Familiarity with social and sociolinguistic cognition theories
Familiarity with virtual reality environments
Willingness to travel for research training and secondments
Ability to work independently and in a team

Key Features of the Program

Interdisciplinary training in linguistic variation, accent perception, cognitive processing, and social cognition
Access to state-of-the-art linguistic labs with VR, eye-tracking, and behavioural experiment facilities
Participation in international network training events and short-term secondments
Professional development including mentoring, career planning, and research proposal training
Exposure to advanced methodologies in sociolinguistics, neuroscience, AI, and human-computer interaction

Application Process

How to Apply: Submit a single PDF file to Prof. Erez Levon at erez.levon@unibe.ch

Required Documents:

Statement of research interests and motivation (max 2 pages), including preferred social/linguistic context
Curriculum Vitae
Two letters of recommendation

Important Dates

Applications Open: Immediately
Deadline: 25 October 2025 (23:59 CET)
First-Round Interviews (Online): Mid-November 2025
Second-Round Interviews (Online, HUM.AI.N Network): Late November – Early December 2025
Final Decision: By 8 December 2025