Lecturer

University of Maryland•College Park, MD

3d•$60,000 - $65,000

About The Position

Human beings share a capacity for language, unique to the species. This capacity guides the learning of language in children and constrains the character of the languages we come to have. To study it we pursue various sources of evidence. Among them are the grammars of individual languages; patterns of grammatical variation across languages; the development, normal and abnormal, of language in children; the mental processing of language in use; and the embodiment of language in the brain. But all these perspectives converge on a single natural object: the human language faculty, whose study unifies the work at Maryland Linguistics. The Department of Linguistics at the University of Maryland combines current theoretical research in phonology, syntax, and semantics with state-of-the-art experimental research in language acquisition, computational linguistics, psycholinguistics and neurolinguistics in order to understand the human capacity for language. Connections between our core competencies are strong, with theoretical, experimental and computational work typically pursued in tandem. A network of collaboration at all levels sustains a research climate that is both vigorous and friendly. Here new ideas develop in conversation, stimulated by the steady activity of our labs and research groups, frequent student meetings with faculty, regular talks by local and invited scholars and collaborations with a campus community of over 200 language scientists. The Linguistics Department at the University of Maryland, College Park invites applications for a full-time Lecturer with an anticipated starting date of August 9, 2026. The initial appointment will be for one year, with the possibility of renewal. Applicants will be expected to teach courses in introductory linguistics, as well as undergraduate courses in their area of specialization. The expected teaching load is five courses per year (2-3), in addition to some administrative and advising duties. Best consideration will be given to applicants who have a PhD (Linguistics, Cognitive Science, or allied fields) or expect to have one before the start date. We seek a candidate who will strengthen our existing undergraduate and graduate programs, and who will actively engage with our research community on the human capacity for language. The area of specialization is open, although the department has teaching needs in (at least) phonology, syntax, and psycholinguistics.

Requirements

MA
A Master’s degree in linguistics or a related field and demonstrated successful teaching at the college level.
Evidence of success in teaching and mentoring undergraduate students.
Evidence of expertise in an area of linguistics, as it relates to the human capacity for language.
Ability to deliver lectures in a large classroom setting, which may require walking between campus buildings.
Ability to operate standard office equipment and keyboards.

Nice To Haves

PhD (Linguistics, Cognitive Science, or allied fields) or expect to have one before the start date.
Candidates with a demonstrated ability to incorporate diverse perspectives in their teaching.