Academic research assistant (m/f/x) - Department of Language Science and Technology

Saarland University is a campus university that is internationally recognized for its strong research programmes. Fostering young academic talent and creating ideal conditions for teaching and research are a core part of the university’s mission. As part of the University of the Greater Region, Saarland University enables students and staff to share and exchange knowledge and ideas between disciplines, between universities and across borders. With over 17,000 national and international students, studying more than a hundred different academic disciplines, Saarland University is a diverse and dynamic learning environment. Saarland University is officially recognized as one of Germany’s family‑friendly higher‑education institutions and with a combined workforce of more than 4,000 it is one of the largest employers in the region.

Academic research assistant (m/f/x)

Reference number W2886, salary in accordance with the German TV‑L salary scale¹, pay grade: E13 TV‑L, duration of employment: two years, volume of employment: 75 % of standard working time.

Workplace/Department:

Department of Language Science and Technology

Job requirements and responsibilities:

• A postdoctoral research assistant position in the area of linguistic typology and language documentation is available in the Department of Language Science and Technology, specifically, in the team of Prof. Dr. Annemarie Verkerk. The aim of this postdoctoral research assistantship is to help write a grant proposal for the DFG (Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft); to develop one's own research agenda in linguistic typology and language documentation; and lecture in both BA and MA level courses (3 SWS/semester). The post is a 75% fixed term position of 2 years. This position will require an individual with expertise in the analysis of large linguistic datasets and established research in language documentation. You will have a PhD in linguistics and postdoctoral experience in linguistic typology, anthropological linguistics, computational linguistics, or a similar field. It is highly desirable that you have experience applying for external funding, especially for the DFG.

Your academic qualifications:

• Doctoral degree / PhD in Linguistics
• Language skills (according to GER): English (academic) and German (or the willingness to acquire German at C1 level)

The successful candidate will also be expected to:

• See above

What we can offer you:

• A flexible work schedule allowing you to balance work and family, among other things the possibility of teleworking
• Secure and future‑oriented employment with attractive conditions
• A broad range of further education and professional development programmes (for example language courses)
• An occupational health management model with numerous attractive options, such as our university sports programme
• Supplementary pension scheme (RZVK)
• Discounted tickets on local public transport services (‘Job‑Ticket’ of the saarVV)
• Job bike leasing (JobRad)

¹ TV‑L = collective agreement on remuneration of public sector employees in the German Länder

Pay grade classification is based on the particular details of the position held and the extent to which the applicant meets the requirements of the pay grade within the TV‑L salary scale.

Part‑time employment is generally possible.

If you have obtained a foreign university degree, a proof of the equivalence of this degree with a German degree by the Zentralstelle für ausländisches Bildungswesen (ZAB) is needed before hiring. If necessary, please apply for this in time. You can find more information at

Unfortunately, neither costs for attending an interview at Saarland University nor costs for any certificate evaluation by the ZAB can be reimbursed in principle.

We welcome applications regardless of gender, nationality, ethnic and social origin, religion/belief, disability, age, and sexual orientation and identity. In accordance with its policy of increasing the proportion of women, the University actively encourages applications from women. Applications from severely disabled persons will be given preferential consideration in the event of equal suitability.

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