Vacancy: Researcher in historical sociolinguistics (0.6 FTE)

This research project maps the interaction between standardization and language policy, literature, lexicography, and identity formation in Fryslân from the nineteenth century to the present day, in a comparative perspective with Dutch and other minority languages in Europe. 

This is what you will be doing 

You will be working on various research questions, such as:

• What identity claims and dialectological assumptions underlie these standardization processes?
• What role did and do literary figures and nationalist activists play in the development of the standard language?
• How do top-down and bottom-up standardization relate to each other?
• How is the tension between spoken and written language and variation within the language dealt with? 

These research questions, which require a combination of methods from both historical sociolinguistics and modern cultural history, touch on themes such as Frisian identity, the Geef Frysk movement, and the spelling of Frisian, which still regularly lead to heated discussions.

As a researcher, you will be involved in the following activities:

• Exploring the Frisian case (literature and source collection)
• Exploring the usefulness of a historical-sociolinguistic taxonomy (developed for Basque)
• A conference contribution on the Frisian case
• Co-authorship of a publication with the research team
• Preparing an application for the NWO Talent Program Veni SGW 2026 on the Frisian case.

What you bring to the table

We are looking for a researcher who:

• Has a PhD in historical sociolinguistics;
• Meets the criteria for the NWO Talent Program Veni SGW 2026, including having obtained a PhD in 2023 or later;
• Has excellent knowledge of the history of standardization of the Dutch language;
• Is interested in the Frisian case;
• Is open to an interdisciplinary approach with cultural historians, sociologists, and linguists;
• Has a national and international research network;
• Has excellent communication skills.

What do we offer?

We offer a contract for a taxed position, from February 1 to August 31, 2026, with a scope of 0.6 FTE (22.8 hours/week). The position is classified in accordance with the job description in UFO profile 3, scale 11 of the Collective Labor Agreement for Dutch Universities.

Information

For more information, please contact the project leader, Dr. Simon Halink, at shalink@fryske-akademy.nl or by phone +316-20652719.

Application procedure

Please send your application (cover letter + CV) by Monday, November 24. Send your letter to the HR advisor of the Fryske Akademy: wurkje@fryke-akademy.nl, with the subject line ‘historical sociolinguistics researcher’. Suitable candidates will be invited for an (online) application interview on Wednesday, November 26.

Acquisition in response to this advertisement is not appreciated.