Understanding multilingualism: Cognitive, linguistic or social aspects of coordinating knowledge about multiple languages

PLEASE NOTE: This project is for self-funded or externally sponsored students only.

We invite applications from strong and motivated candidates to our highly interdisciplinary PhD project on language processing in multilingual contexts. A variety of specific issues can be addressed in this investigation, for example, vocabulary acquisition; code switching; language dominance and proficiency; syntactic/semantic processing; cultural identity; literacy/academic achievement. We believe that it is crucial to address this issue with multidisciplinary theoretical and methodological approaches.

The languages under investigation are not fixed in advance and could include European/Non-European or minority languages (e.g. Hindi, Urdu, Mandarin, Cantonese, Gaelic, etc.). It would be preferable that students have a detailed knowledge of the languages in question.

We invite applications from strong and motivated candidates who are prepared to take the leading role in this project. We envisage students have a background in Psychology or a relevant subject (e.g., Linguistics, TEFL/TESOL). Students without a sufficient relevant background may be offered to undertake one of our MSc programmes, or some of our MSc training modules, in their 1st year.

For more details about the supervisory team, please see the profiles of Dr Yuki Kamide and Dr Lynne Duncan.

For informal enquiries about the project, contact Dr Yuki Kamide (y.kamide@dundee.ac.uk)

For general enquiries about the University of Dundee, contact doctoralacademy@dundee.ac.uk

Our research community thrives on the diversity of students and staff which helps to make the University of Dundee a UK university of choice for postgraduate research. We welcome applications from all talented individuals and are committed to widening access to those who have the ability and potential to benefit from higher education.

QUALIFICATIONS

Applicants must have obtained, or expect to obtain, a UK honours degree at 2.1 or above (or equivalent for non-UK qualifications). For international qualifications, please see equivalent entry requirements here: www.dundee.ac.uk/study/international/country/.

In certain circumstances candidates may be asked to spend a year completing our Master's degree in Psychology of Language before commencing their doctoral research. The decision about the suitability of their qualifications is made by the supervisor and the School’s postgraduate advisor.

English language requirement: IELTS (Academic) overall score must be at least 6.5 (with not less than 6.0 in writing and not less than 5.5 in reading, listening and speaking). The University of Dundee accepts a variety of equivalent qualifications; please see full details of the University’s English language requirements here: www.dundee.ac.uk/guides/english-language-requirements.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Step 1: Email Dr Yuki Kamide (y.kamide@dundee.ac.uk) to (1) send a copy of your CV and (2) discuss your potential application and any practicalities (e.g. suitable start date).

Step 2: After discussion with Dr Kamide, formal applications can be made via our direct application system. When applying, please follow the instructions below:

Candidates must apply for the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree in Psychology using our direct application system: Psychology.

Please select the degree length (three year or four year), study mode (full-time/part-time) and start date agreed with the lead supervisor.

In the Research Proposal section, please:

-       Enter the lead supervisor’s name in the ‘proposed supervisor’ box

-       Enter the project title listed at the top of this page in the ‘proposed project title’ box

In the ‘personal statement’ section, please outline your suitability for the project selected.