Ph.D. position in Developmental Pragmatics (70%)
University of Neuchâtel, Switzerland
Position and project
This funded Ph.D. position is part of the project ‘Pragmatics meets epistemic vigilance: Explaining the
development of irony comprehension’ funded by an SNSF Eccellenza Grant (Principal investigator:
Diana Mazzarella, UniNE – Collaborator: Nausicaa Pouscoulous, UCL). The Ph.D. thesis will focus on
the development of children’s selective trust and understanding of reliability.
Candidate profile
The ideal candidate will have a strong interest in pragmatics, developmental psychology or an allied
interdisciplinary area. Experience in experimental research will be a strong asset, as the selected
candidate will carry out a series of experimental studies with preschoolers and primary school children.
For practical reasons related to testing, priority will be given to French speakers.
Additional requirements:
The candidate will write a Ph.D. thesis under the supervision of the PI Diana Mazzarella. The candidate
will be based at the Cognitive Science Center of the University of Neuchâtel. Regular participation
in collective scientific activities (e.g. seminars, reading groups, and lab meetings) will be expected.
Starting date :upon agreement (no later than September 2020)
Duration :4 years
Salary :Gross salary in CHF (corresponding to 70% Part Time):
Yearly Monthly
First-year SNSF Doctoral student 47'040.00 3'920.00
Second-year SNSF Doctoral student 48'540.00 4'045.00
Third-year SNSF Doctoral student 50'040.00 4'170.00
Fourth-year SNSF Doctoral student 50'040.00 4'170.00
Deadline for applications :1March 2020
Candidates should submit the following documents (in English or French) in an electronic format: (i)
Motivation letter, (ii) CV, (iii) MA/MSc dissertation (if available) or a written sample, (iv) copies of
diplomas accompanied by grades transcript, and (v) the name and contact details of two referees.
Please specify in your Motivation letter when you would be available to take on this position.
Please send your application to Diana Mazzarella (diana.mazzarella@unine.ch).
Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply .