Historic linguist - Meertens

The Meertens Institute is looking for a Historic Linguist (24-30,4 hours per week)

What will you do?
You will conduct internationally leading research in the field of historical linguistics, with a clear focus on Dutch in all its varieties and historical stages. You will study language change and variation in the past, drawing on large digital text editions and corpora already available at the Meertens Institute or within the Humanities Cluster. Ideally, you will also employ or be able to leverage computational methods in your research.

You will develop innovative research projects, prepare grant applications, and contribute to strengthening collaborations between universities, heritage institutions, and related KNAW institutes such as the Huygens Institute and IISG. You will play an active role in scientific networks and take the initiative in connecting research groups.

As part of our team, you will be an engaged colleague who shares knowledge, inspires others, is open to insights from other areas of linguistics, and enjoys working in an interdisciplinary team on issues related to language variation and language change.

What do you bring?
You hold a PhD in historical linguistics or a related linguistic discipline, preferably with a specialization in (historical) Dutch. You have demonstrable experience in studying (historical) language data and working with large text collections or you are motivated to develop these skills quickly. Experience with computational methods and digital techniques for linguistic research is a clear asset.

Ideally, you already have experience in developing research projects and securing funding, or you are willing and able to develop these skills. You possess strong communication skills, enjoy teamwork, and have an affinity for interdisciplinary collaboration.

What do we offer?
An inspiring position within a motivated and collegial team dedicated to excellent research and collaboration across disciplinary boundaries. You will join an environment that offers space for personal initiative, scientific creativity, and professional development.

Your workplace
You will work in a dynamic academic environment with opportunities to contribute to inter-institutional projects and initiatives. You will have access to unique historical digital resources and infrastructures.

Want to know more?
Please contact:
Prof. Dr. Marjo van Koppen, Team Leader Linguistics and Language Variation
E-mail: marjo.van.koppen@meertens.knaw.nl

Application procedure
We look forward to receiving your letter of motivation and CV by 1 October 2025. Interviews will take place in the week of 15 October 2025. You will be informed at least one week in advance if you are invited for an interview. As part of the interview process, we may ask you to prepare a short presentation.

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 5.495 and the maximum salary is 7.056 gross per month for a full-time appointment (scale 12 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.

We will not respond to any supplier enquiries based on this job advertisement.