The Centre for Research in Linguistics and Language Sciences (CRiLLS) hosts one of the largest communities of researchers in linguistics and language sciences in the country, with approximately 40 staff and 220 postgraduate students.

In the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise, our linguistics research was ranked an impressive third in the UK terms of research power, that is a combination of the quality of research produced and the number of active researchers.

Our research specialisms include: syntax (comparative, evolutionary, historical, acquisitional), phonology, morphology, phonetics, semantics-pragmatics and discourse analysis, second language acquisition, sociolinguistics, dialectology and corpus-based research. Our research covers a good range of languages, including Arabic, English (in all its forms), French, German, Greek, Italian, Quechua, Scandic languages, Spanish and Welsh.

For 2010 entry we have one studentship in linguistics available through the AHRC’s Doctoral Awards scheme. This scheme provides studentships to enable students to undertake and complete a doctoral degree (PhD). Full and partial awards are available through this scheme. A full award covers fees and an annual, tax free stipend of £13,290 (2009/10 rates). A partial award covers fees only. If you are a part time student, support is pro rata.

2. Eligibility

You should meet the AHRC’s student eligibility criteria* and be intending to undertake a PhD in linguistics at Newcastle University in September 2010.

*Please note that if you require a Tier 4 visa to study in the UK, you will not be eligible for this funding.

3. Person Specification

You should have, or expect to achieve, a MA, or equivalent, in linguistics.

4. How to Apply

You must complete the University’s online Postgraduate Application Form, quoting the reference code AHR10. Please see our website, www.ncl.ac.uk/pg/fund/ahrc-doc-ling for more details about the application procedure and for application guidance

Closing date for applications: 5th March 2010. However you are strongly advised to submit an application well in advance, as incomplete applications may not be considered after this date.

5. Considering Your Application

We will consider your application in two parts. First, we will let you know if you have received an offer of a place at Newcastle to undertake your PhD studies. Secondly, we will let you know if you have been shortlisted for the AHRC Doctoral Studentship. If you are shortlisted, you will be invited to interview in Newcastle in late March or April 2010. We will conduct telephone interviews in cases where travelling to Newcastle is not feasible.

6. Further Information

If you have any questions, please contact:

Lorraine Vincent

Centre for Research in Linguistics and Language Sciences

Telephone: +44 (0)191 222 8790

Email: crills@ncl.ac.uk