Postdoctoral Researcher in Linguistics – CNRS ENS-PSL / Project HéLiCéO
Application Deadline: 1 May 2025
Start Date: 1 June 2025
Duration: 1 year (renewable if funding is extended)
Location: Montrouge (Paris area), France – École Normale Supérieure (ENS-PSL), CNRS Lattice Laboratory
Contact: alexandre.francois@ens.psl.eu
Project Website: https://heliceo.huma-num.fr
About the Project
HéLiCéO (“Héritages Linguistiques, Cultures orales, Éducation en Océanie”) is a multidisciplinary CNRS consortium (2025–2030), currently funded for its first 12 months. It focuses on:
Documenting and describing Oceanic languages
Comparative and historical linguistics, especially between Austronesian and non-Austronesian (Papuan) languages
Promoting linguistic heritage in education
This postdoctoral position supports Strand 2: Historical and Comparative Linguistics, with a focus on language contact and evolution in Eastern Indonesia.
Main Mission
Conduct linguistic fieldwork and develop a grammatical description of a non-Austronesian language spoken in Indonesia.
Key Responsibilities
Fieldwork in Indonesia: elicit grammar and lexicon data; collect oral literature (narratives, possibly songs).
Archive annotated field data (audio/video) on a public platform (minimum: 60 minutes transcribed).
Contribute to HéLiCéO databases (e.g. grammar, phonological change, semantic change, mythology).
Write scientific articles (min. 1/year) and participate in conferences (min. 1/year).
Draft a reference grammar (in part or in full).
Candidate Profile
Required Qualifications
PhD in linguistics or a related field.
Proven fieldwork experience in Indonesia, ideally with non-Austronesian languages.
Published work in grammatical description and typology.
Working knowledge of Indonesian (B1) and English (B2).
Desirable
Familiarity with French (A2).
Knowledge of linguistic software/tools (e.g. FLEx, ELAN).
Existing networks in Indonesia (academic or community-based).
Soft Skills
Commitment to language preservation and diversity.
Ability to work independently and collaboratively.
Respect for local communities and cultural contexts.
Ability to meet research deadlines.
Practical Notes
Up to 3 months/year of fieldwork funding provided.
Insurance coverage is included for fieldwork.
Field sites must comply with French travel safety guidelines – fieldwork in high-risk zones (e.g., some areas in Papua) may be restricted.
How to Apply
Send your application to alexandre.francois@ens.psl.eu.
Include:
CV
Cover letter
Description of fieldwork experience and language(s) studied
Copies of publications or writing samples
This is a unique opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge field linguistics, language typology, and documentation of underdescribed languages, within a vibrant and collaborative international team.
