TECHNICAL OFFICER: LINGUISTICS (one-year contract)
SARCHI Research Chair: Linguistics Section
School of African and Gender Studies, Anthropology and Linguistics
The SARCHI Research Chair in Migration, Language and Social Change is housed in Linguistics, within the School of
African and Gender Studies, Anthropology and Linguistics. It is dedicated to producing advanced research of a linguistic
and sociolinguistic nature in three fields of endeavour: sociolinguistics of migration; sociophonetic variation in South
African varieties of English; and language contact studies in Africa, with main reference to Southern Africa. We are
looking for a Technical Officer on a one-year contract from 1 April 2014 to 31 March 2015.
Requirements include:

A Masters degree in Linguistics, with specialisation in the sociolinguistics of contact and phonetic variation

In-depth knowledge and experience of Sociolinguistics, Phonetics, Acoustics and Statistics

Familiarity with the statistical tools afforded by SPSS, EXCEL and ability to work with VARBRUL and R

Familiarity with acoustic analysis in PRAAT and ELAN and willingness to develop expertise in techniques of
forced alignment

Familiarity with transcription procedures, e.g. those afforded by EXPRESSSCRIBE or similar software
programmes
Responsibilities include:

Management of the SARCHI data base on South African English dialectology

Checking and maintaining project equipment (recorders and computers)

Supervising the transcription of interviews in ELAN

Acoustic analysis using forced alignment techniques in conjunction with the team leader

Statistical analysis of acoustic data, via R and other applicable programmes and methods

Training and assisting senior undergraduate and graduate students with technical aspects of their research
essays in sociophonetics

Updating the project website
The annual remuneration for this post will be R160 000.
To apply, please e-mail the completed UCT application form (HR201) and all other relevant documentation as indicated
on the form, with the subject line “Technical Officer post” followed by the reference number I-2875 to
a.chevalier@uct.ac.za
The application form can be downloaded at http://web.uct.ac.za/depts/sapweb/forms/hr201.doc
An application which does not comply with the above requirements will be regarded as incomplete. Only
shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
Reference number: I-2875
Closing date: 21 February 2014
UCT is committed to the pursuit of excellence, diversity and redress. Our Employment Equity Policy is available at
http://www.uct.ac.za/downloads/uct.ac.za/about/policies/eepolicy.pdf.
UCT reserves the right not to appoint.
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