PhD position (3.5y) on Language Evolution / Computational Modeling / Philosophy of Language, Tübingen (Germany)

We are looking for a highly-motivated PhD researcher to support a large-scale interdisciplinary research initiative on the topic of "Common Ground" at the University of Tübingen, in particular the investigation of the role of common ground in linguistic communication from the point of view of language evolution. The project, while anchored in linguistics and philosophy of language, seeks to use bespoke probabilistic models and/or computational simulations to study possible routes of the evolution of human pragmatic practices.

The ideal candidate would bring prior knowledge of at least one of the following areas: theoretical linguistics or philosophy of language (with a focus on linguistic communication or theories of common ground), theoretical biology / animal communication (ideally primates), mathematical evolutionary modeling (game theory, dynamical systems, agent-based simulations or other), bespoke probabilistic modeling / (Bayesian) data analysis (e.g., in the Rational Speech Act framework). Willingness to learn is expected, and the project provides ample of opportunities for acquiring novel skills and interdisciplinary perspectives.