Academic Researcher (Postdoctoral position) (m/f/d) in Romance Linguistics (Global South)

The Faculty of Linguistics and Literary Studies has the following job opening:

Academic Researcher (Postdoctoral position) (m/f/d) in Romance Linguistics (Global South)

ID: Wiss26159

• starting: as soon as possible
• fulltime
• salary according to salary grade A13 LBesG NRW
• fixed-term

The position is situated in a research and teaching context that addresses questions of language contact (including Creole languages) and/or sociolinguistics (including migration linguistics) in relation to Romance varieties in the Global South. Particular emphasis – though not exclusively – is placed on three regions: the Caribbean, Central Africa and Southeast Asia (e. g. Romance languages in multilingual repertoires, intra-regional migration processes, French-, Portuguese- and Spanish-based creole languages, etc.). Beyond these thematic areas, Bielefeld University offers numerous opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration and academic qualification, including the Center for InterAmerican Studies and the DFG-funded Collaborative Research Centre “Linguistic Creativity in Communication”. 

An overview of the research networks of the Faculty of Linguistics and Literary Studies can be found at: https://www.uni-bielefeld.de/fakultaeten/linguistik-literaturwissenschaft/forschung/Forschung-LiLi/forschungsverbuende/ 

Your Tasks

• academic research activity in the field of language contact and the sociolinguistics of Romance varieties in postcolonial language ecologies of the Global South, including participation in projects and publications
• preparation and teaching of courses to the extent of 4 contact hours per week per semester in the field of Spanish and/or French linguistics, as well as pan-Romance seminars and (at the Master’s level) seminars in Portuguese linguistics
• participation in departmental and study program administration as well as in academic self-governance 

Employment is conducive to scientific qualification and provides the opportunity for further academic development.

We offer

• salary according to salary grade A13 LBesG NRW
• fixed-term (3 years) (§ 44 Abs. 8 Hochschulgesetz NRW; temporary civil servant status)
• fulltime

• internal and external training opportunities
• variety of health, consulting and prevention services
• reconcilability of family and work
• 30 days holiday and additional days off on 24.12. and 31.12.
• good transport connection
• a dynamic, internationally recognized research environment and a collegial working atmosphere
• modern work environment with digital processes
• various offers (canteen, cafeteria, restaurants, Uni-Shop, ATM, etc.)

Your Profile

We expect

• scientific university degree (e. g. master’s degree or diploma) in Romance Philology, General Linguistics, or a related field with a focus on linguistics
• a PhD completed by the time of application, with good to very good results, in Romance Philology, General Linguistics, or a related field with a (partial) focus on linguistics (e. g. Anthropology)
• very good proficiency in at least one of the following Romance languages: French, Portuguese, or Spanish
• proficiency in German or willingness to acquire it for academic purposes within the first three years of employment
• sensitivity to and a strong academic interest in societies of the Global South
• independent, self-responsible and committed work
• pronounced organizational and coordination skills
• cooperative and team-oriented working style

Preferred experience and skills

• experience with non-European cultures and languages alongside Romance varieties (e. g. Bahasa Melayu/Indonesia, Fang, Kikongo, Lingala, Tagalog, among others). Ideally, experience with creole languages and creole-speaking societies
• interest in pursuing a habilitation project in the field of multilingualism/language contact, as well as the willingness to work in an interdisciplinary manner
• interest in applying empirical research methods, ranging from ethnographically oriented fieldwork and corpus construction to the statistical analysis of linguistic data
• confident command of contemporary media and presentation formats

Application Procedure

We are looking forward to receiving your application. To apply, please preferably use our online form via the application button below.

application deadline: 19.08.2026

Bielefeld University has received a number of awards for its achievements as an equal-opportunity employer and has been
recognized as a family-friendly university. The university welcomes applications from women. This is particularly true with regard
both to academic and technical posts as well as positions in information technology as well as the skilled crafts and trades.
Applications are handled according to the provisions of the state statutes on equal opportunity. Applications from suitably qualified
handicapped and severely handicapped persons are explicitly encouraged.

At Bielefeld University on request positions can be carried out with reduced working hours as long as this does not conflict with official needs.