The project analyses the ecology and development of mobile apps for language acquisition in typical and atypical children from the perspective of developers, and will identify how notions and theories of language learning are translated into mobile applications for the market. Software ethnography, quantitative analysis and modelling, and interviews with software developers will be integrated, with the aim of producing a richer, data-rich understanding of how mobile use mediates language learning. Website: https://www.ntnu.edu/e-ladda/project-description

Recruitment is handled by the Norwegian University of Science and Technology: 

https://www.ntnu.edu/e-ladda/recruitment | https://euraxess.ec.europa.eu/jobs/472321

Applications are invited for 14 PhD positions (ESRs) for Marie Skłodowska-Curie ITN on Early Language Development in the Digital Age (e-LADDA).

Where to apply: recruitment@e-ladda.eu

Application deadline: 24.01.2020 23:00 CET/Brussels

The central scientific goal of e-LADDA is to establish whether the new and quite intuitive interactions afforded by digital tools impact on young children’s language development and language outcomes in a positive or adverse way. We further aim to identify exactly what factors in both the technology itself and the communication channel advance language learning and growth or may impede it. e-LADDA’s main objectives are:

1) to provide a platform for the training of the next generation of scientists drawing for the first time on interdisciplinary perspectives from basic, applied and translational research on language learning in the digital age

2) to provide a unified research approach to the benefits and drawbacks of digital technologies for young childrens’ language learning 

3) transform and develop new digital solutions that benefit learners

4) to provide guidance to policy makers, educators, practitioners and families in how emerging digital environments should be navigated, regulated and transformed.

Benefits

The successful candidates will receive an attractive salary in accordance with the MSCA regulations for Early Stage Researchers. The exact (net) salary will be confirmed upon appointment and is dependent on local tax regulations and on the country correction factor (to allow for the difference in cost of living in different EU Member States). The salary includes a living allowance, a mobility allowance and a family allowance (depending on family status). The guaranteed PhD funding is for 36 months (i.e. EC funding, additional funding is possible, depending on the local hiring institution, and in accordance with the regular PhD time in the hosting country). In addition to their individual scientific projects, all fellows will benefit from further continuing education, which includes secondments, a variety of training modules as well as transferable skills courses and active participation in workshops and conferences.

Eligibility criteria

Applicants need to fully respect three eligibility criteria (to be demonstrated in the Europass CV format):

Early-stage researchers (ESR) are those who are, at the time of recruitment by the host, in the first four years (full-time equivalent) of their research careers. This is measured from the date when they obtained the degree which formally entitles them to embark on a doctorate, either in the country in which the degree was obtained or in the country in which the research training is provided, irrespective of whether or not a doctorate was envisaged.

Conditions of international mobility of researchers:

Researchers are required to undertake trans-national mobility (i.e. move from one country to another) when taking up the appointment. At the time of selection by the host organization, researchers must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the country of their host organization for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately prior to their recruitment. Short stays, such as holidays, are not taken into account.

English language: Network fellows (ESRs) must demonstrate that their ability to understand and express themselves in both written and spoken English is sufficiently high for them to derive the full benefit from the network training. Knowledge of the local language will weigh positively in selection.

Selection process

Deadline for applications is 24.01.2020. To attract the right students, the required profiles are clearly listed for each ESR position (see individual project descriptions).

Stage 1:

Candidates apply by sending a CV and a letter of motivation both in English and a copy of highest academic degree. The candidates apply for a maximum of three specific ESR positions and list their order of preference in the letter of motivation. The Recruitment Committee selects suitable candidates based on eligibility checks and background expertise, and produces a short list for each ESR position. Applications should be sent to: recruitment@e-ladda.eu

Stage 2:

Short-listed applicants from Stage 1 are then invited to apply locally (see local hiring organization links) by February 15th, 2020. Each Supervisory team prepares a short-list of applicants to be invited for interviews which will provide the basis for the final selection.

All chosen candidates are expected to start their contract by the end of June 2020 at the latest.