PhD position (b) ERC project: The University of Cape Town’s Centre for African Studies is offering a unique opportunity for a motivated and dedicated individual to join the research team as a PhD candidate. This position is part of the “Multilingual worlds – neglected histories” project, funded by the Horizon 2020 ERC-Consolidator Grant (MULTILING-HIST), coordinated by the University of Warsaw, Poland. The project focuses on uncovering the emergence, continuity, and loss of multilingualism in various historical and cultural contexts, including South Africa. As a PhD candidate, you will explore the historical and sociolinguistic aspects of multilingualism among Khoi and/or San communities in the Western Cape, with a particular emphasis on language change and transition over time.
Designation: Researcher Profile: First Stage Researcher (R1)
Research Area: Language Sciences » Linguistics, History » Other
Location: University of Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa
Eligibility/Qualification:
- Education Level: Master’s Degree or equivalent in linguistics (preferably sociolinguistics or general linguistics) or related fields (e.g., history).
- Skills/Qualifications: The successful applicant should have experience in fieldwork, archival queries, qualitative and quantitative research methods, expertise in South African multilingualism and historical sociolinguistics, knowledge of African languages of South Africa and other Indigenous African languages, familiarity with Khoi and/or San languages and their histories, and a background in community-based activist work.
- Languages: Excellent proficiency in English and other languages.
Job Description: The PhD candidate will be responsible for:
- Completing their PhD dissertation within 3 years.
- Conducting archival queries and analyzing historical sources.
- Conducting fieldwork activities in selected communities in the Western Cape, focusing on sociolinguistic profiles.
- Analyzing and interpreting quantitative and qualitative data obtained in archival research and fieldwork.
- Active participation in the MULTILING-HIST project and collaboration with other team members in South Africa and overseas.
- Preparing individual and co-authored publications resulting from the research.
The research will involve examining multilingual competence, socialization, transmission, inter-ethnic relationships, language ideologies, and linguistic practices among Khoi and/or San communities.
How to Apply: Prospective candidates should submit the following documents to both Dr. Alexander Andrason (aleksand@hi.is) and Dr. Yvette Abrahams (yvette.abrahams@uct.ac.za) by the 15th of November 2023:
- Curriculum Vitae in English.
- Cover letter in English addressing the requirements and motivation for this funded PhD.
- Two references.
- Copy/scan of the MA diploma and the full academic transcript.
Last Date for Apply: November 15, 2023
Additional Information:
- The PhD position at the San and Khoi Centre covers 3 years of PhD studies at the University of Cape Town, with a total scholarship sum of approximately 480,000 rand or 160,000 rand per year.
- Postgraduate studies (e.g., MA) count as experience.
Website for Additional Job Details: https://humanities.uct.ac.za/african-studies/san-and-khoi-unit
Work Location(s):
- Number of Offers Available: 1
- Company/Institute: University of Cape Town
- Country: South Africa
- State/Province: Western Cape
- City: Cape Town
- Postal Code: 7701
- Street: Engineering Mall Road
Where to Apply:
- E-mail: aleksand@hi.is
Contact:
- State/Province: Western Cape
- City: Cape Town
- Website: https://humanities.uct.ac.za/african-studies/san-and-khoi-unit
- Street: Engineering Mall Road
- Postal Code: 7701
- E-Mail: aleksand@hi.is
- Phone: 0216504350
