2 PhD positions Linguistics and Language variation - Meertens

The Linguistics and Language variation group of the Meertens Institute is looking for two PhD students

The research conducted in the Variation Linguistics Group focuses on language variation in all its forms—grammatical, social, historical, and multimodal—in order to better understand how language both constrains variation and change and creates openings for identity formation. The group’s four core domains are (a) limits to variation (grammatical & social; dialects; natiolects), (b) youth language, social media & migration (identity, home, mobility), (c) historical Dutch (17th century, colonial contexts, migration), and (d) ecolinguistics & multimodality (human–animal relations, climate discourse).

Position information

Our ambition is to expand the permanent research staff of the department in the coming years by regularly appointing PhD students, who will dedicate four years to a specific research project under the supervision of one or more of the researchers in the Variation Linguistics Group. The PhD will be awarded by the university where the supervisor holds a professorship. At present, we have an opening for one PhD candidate (x/f/m) (1.0 FTE) for a four-year period.

Who are we looking for?

We are seeking candidates with an MA or RMA degree in linguistics or a closely related field. You have a demonstrable interest in and/or experience with scientific research in the field of variation linguistics, in particular from a computational, formal-linguistic, sociolinguistic, and/or historical-linguistic perspective.

What should you bring to the role?

We are seeking someone with an excellent academic track record at the BA and MA levels and a curious, enterprising, and creative mindset, who can communicate fluently in Dutch and English, both orally and in writing. We expect strong analytical skills and the ability to connect complex linguistic data with innovative theory development. Finally, we place great value on the capacity to work independently as well as collegially within a close-knit, highly interdisciplinary team.

Additional information

For more information about this position, please contact Marjo van Koppen (head of the Variation Linguistics Group) via email marjo.van.koppen@meertens.knaw.nl. More information about the Meertens Institute can be found at https://www.meertens.knaw.nl and more information about the HuC at https://huc.knaw.nl.

Application Procedure

You can apply until 26 January 2026 by submitting (i) a motivation letter, including your CV and references, and (ii) a research proposal of up to two pages. Interviews will take place in the week of 2 February 2026, during which you will be asked to present and further elaborate on your research proposal.

About Meertens
The Meertens Institute, together with the International Institute of Social History and the Huygens ING, is part of the KNAW Humanities Cluster. This is a partnership in which research in the humanities (history, ethnology, literature, linguistics) is carried out using advanced methods, in which computer science plays an important role. The Meertens Institute is a national institute for research and documentation of the Dutch language and culture, and language and culture in the Netherlands. It consists of the research groups Ethnology and Variational Linguistics, both of which hold leading positions in international research on everyday language and culture.

Terms of employment
Depending on education and experience the minimum salary is 3.059 and the maximum salary is 3.881 gross per month for a full-time appointment (scale P cao Nederlandse Universiteiten/KNAW). This is exclusive of 8% vacation allowance, 8.3% year-end bonus, travel allowance, internet allowance, home working allowance and pension accrual with ABP.

The KNAW offers its staff an excellent package of secondary benefits. A package that meets the different needs of employees depending on their stage of life, lifestyle or career ambitions. For example, by working an extra two hours a week, it is possible to increase the number of days off from 29 to 41 days a year (with full-time employment). 

For a complete overview of the terms of employment, please refer to the web page: werken bij de KNAW.

Applying for a Certificate of Good Conduct can be part of the employment procedure.

Diversity & Inclusion
The KNAW considers a working environment in which everyone feels welcome and appreciated of great importance. A working environment in which attention is paid to individual quality and where development opportunities are paramount. Together we strive for an inclusive culture in which we embrace differences. We would therefore like to invite candidates who want to contribute to this through their background and experience. In the event of equal suitability, preference will be given to the candidate who thus enhances diversity within the Academy.

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