PhD position on linguistic effects of child language brokering in multilingual families

About the position
Children from immigrant families often translate and mediate for others (typically their parents), a phenomenon called “child language brokering”. Brokering occurs in a variety of contexts: at home, at schools, and in medical offices. Research shows that child language brokering may have positive and negative effects on children’s socio-emotional development and on child-parent relationships, depending on when and where brokering occurs. There are also some indications that brokering affects children’s and parents’ development of the first and second language, but these effects remain largely unexplored.

In this PhD project, you will investigate how brokering experiences affect the maintenance of the heritage language and development of the second language in child brokers and their parents. The project is part of an NWO-funded project, consisting of two PhD students and a team of supervisors. The other PhD project focuses on the socio-emotional effects of brokering.

You will conduct a series of studies to investigate the effects of child brokering on the maintenance of the heritage language and development of the second language across more informal (home) and more formal (school, health care) contexts. You will also investigate what linguistic strategies are used during brokering, what beliefs brokers and parents hold about these strategies, and what opportunities for language learning emerge during brokering episodes. You will use a variety of methods, including observations, semi-structured interviews, controlled language tasks, as well as advanced statistics (network analysis). Together, the studies you will conduct will inform us about when and how brokering has positive effects on the use, maintenance and development of the heritage language and the second language in both child brokers and their parents.

This is what you will be doing
You will perform the following tasks and activities:

• reviewing literature on the effects of language brokering on the heritage and second language;
• carrying out in-depth studies to investigate the effects of child brokering on language development, as well as the linguistic strategies used during brokering and the opportunities to learn language during brokering;
• collaborating in an interdisciplinary research team;
• committing to open science practices such as pre-registering studies;
• contributing to knowledge utilization (outreach) activities undertaken by the team;
• submission of a PhD thesis within the period of appointment;
• presenting intermediate research results at workshops and conferences;
• participating in the Research School and Faculty of Humanities PhD training programmes;
• co-teaching courses at BA-level in the second and third year of the appointment (maximum 0,2 fte per year).

This is what we ask of you

• a completed Master's degree in Linguistics, Education, Psychology or a related field;
• excellent research skills demonstrated by a Master thesis;
• solid knowledge of quantitative and/or qualitative research methods;
• strong communicative and organizational skills, a cooperative attitude and commitment to team science;
• enthusiasm for communicating academic research to non-academic audiences;
• enthusiasm for teaching;
• participation in the ACLC and the national research school training program;
• excellent proficiency in English for academic purposes;
• (near-)native command in Dutch (C1-level or higher, or native) and working proficiency in a widely spoken heritage language (e.g., Arabic, Turkish, Polish) OR vice versa.

Please note that if you already hold a doctorate/PhD or are working towards obtaining a similar degree elsewhere, you will not be admitted to a doctoral programme at the UvA.

This is what else we offer you

• We offer a temporary employment contract for the period of 48 months. The first contract will be for 16 months, with an extension for the following 32 months, contingent on a positive performance evaluation within the first 12 months. The preferred starting date is 01 February 2027;
• Based on a full-time appointment (38 hours per week) the gross monthly salary will range from €3.204 in the first year to €4.051 (scale P) in the last year. This does not include 8% holiday allowance and 8,3% year-end allowance. The UFO profile PhD candidate applicable. The Collective Labour Agreement of Universities of the Netherlands is applicable;
• Excellent possibilities for further professional development and education;
• Excellent support research facilities (such as the Speech Lab);
• PhD candidates have free access to courses offered by the Graduate School of Humanities and the Dutch National Research Schools

This is where you will be working
You will be appointed at the Amsterdam Center for Language and Communication (ACLC) as part of the project “Small voices, big words: Effects of child language brokering in immigrant families”, led by dr. Josje Verhagen and funded by the Dutch Research Council (NWO).

This project consists of two interconnected PhD projects: one looks at the effects of child language brokering on socio-emotional outcomes and the other at linguistic outcomes. Each PhD will have their own supervision team consisting of specialized members of staff (dr. Josje Verhagen and prof. dr. Sible Andringa for the present project). You will meet regularly within these teams as well as in the larger project team.

The Amsterdam Centre for Language and Communication is one of the five Research Schools within the Amsterdam Institute for Humanities Research. Within the University of Amsterdam, the ACLC represents a thriving linguistics community, home to several research groups that you can join. The current project falls under the Language Learning, Literacy and Multilingualism research group. The ACLC also has an active PhD community that meets formally and informally.

PhD position on socio-emotional effects of child language brokering in multilingual families

About the position
Children from immigrant families often translate and mediate for others (typically their parents), a phenomenon called “child language brokering”. Brokering occurs in a variety of contexts: at home, at schools, and in medical offices. Research shows that child language brokering may have positive and negative effects on children’s socio-emotional development and on child-parent relationships, depending on when and where brokering occurs. There are also some indications that brokering affects children’s and parents’ development of the first and second language, but these effects remain largely unexplored.

In this PhD project, you will investigate how brokering experiences shape emotions and attitudes in child brokers and their parents. The project is part of an NWO-funded project, consisting of two PhD students and a team of supervisors. The other PhD project focuses on the effects of brokering on linguistic outcomes.

You will conduct a series of studies to investigate the emotions and attitudes towards brokering in children and their parents across more informal (home) and more formal (school, health care) contexts. You will also investigate how these emotions and attitudes towards brokering are associated with family communication, both concurrently and over time. You will use a variety of methods, including semi-structured interviews, diary-based methods (Experience Sampling Method), scenario-based judgement tasks, attitude scales, and parent-child joint problem-solving and narrative tasks. Together, the studies you will conduct will inform us about when and how brokering has positive effects on emotions, attitudes and family communication, and when children and parents should be protected from potentially harmful experiences.

This is what you will be doing
You will perform the following tasks and activities:

• reviewing literature on the effects of language brokering on emotions and attitudes;
• carrying out in-depth studies to investigate the effects of child language brokering on attitudes and emotions, and on family communication and family dynamics;
• collaborating in an interdisciplinary research team;
• committing to open science practices such as pre-registering studies;
• contributing to knowledge utilization (outreach) activities undertaken by the team;
• submission of a PhD thesis within the period of appointment;
• presenting intermediate research results at workshops and conferences;
• participating in the Research School and Faculty of Humanities PhD training programmes;
• co-teaching courses at BA-level in the second and third year of the appointment (maximum 0,2 fte per year).

This is what we ask of you

• a completed Master's degree in Linguistics, Education, Psychology, Anthropology or a related field;
• excellent research skills demonstrated by a Master thesis;
• solid knowledge of quantitative and/or qualitative research methods;
• strong communicative and organizational skills, a cooperative attitude and commitment to team science;
• enthusiasm for communicating academic research to non-academic audiences;
• enthusiasm for teaching;
• participation in the ACLC and the national research school training program;
• excellent proficiency in English for academic purposes;
• proficiency in Dutch (B2 level or higher), sufficient to conduct data collection;
• proficiency in a widely spoken heritage language (e.g., Arabic, Turkish, Polish) is a plus.

Please note that if you already hold a doctorate/PhD or are working towards obtaining a similar degree elsewhere, you will not be admitted to a doctoral programme at the UvA.

This is what else we offer you

• We offer a temporary employment contract for the period of 48 months. The first contract will be for 16 months, with an extension for the following 32 months, contingent on a positive performance evaluation within the first 12 months. The preferred starting date is 01 February 2027;
• Based on a full-time appointment (38 hours per week) the gross monthly salary will range from €3.204 in the first year to €4.051 (scale P) in the last year. This does not include 8% holiday allowance and 8,3% year-end allowance. The UFO profile PhD candidate applicable. The Collective Labour Agreement of Universities of the Netherlands is applicable;
• Excellent possibilities for further professional development and education;
• Excellent support research facilities (such as the Speech Lab);

PhD candidates have free access to courses offered by the Graduate School of Humanities and the Dutch National Research Schools.

This is where you will be working
You will be appointed at the Amsterdam Center for Language and Communication (ACLC) as part of the project “Small voices, big words: Effects of child language brokering in immigrant families”, led by dr. Josje Verhagen and funded by the Dutch Research Council (NWO).

This project consists of two interconnected PhD projects: one looks at the effects of child language brokering on socio-emotional outcomes and the other at linguistic outcomes. Each PhD will have their own supervision team consisting of specialized members of staff (dr. Josje Verhagen and dr. Yeşim Sevinç for the present project). You will meet regularly within these teams as well as in the larger project team.

The Amsterdam Centre for Language and Communication is one of the five Research Schools within the Amsterdam Institute for Humanities Research. Within the University of Amsterdam, the ACLC represents a thriving linguistics community, home to several research groups that you can join. The current project falls under the Language Learning, Literacy and Multilingualism research group. The ACLC also has an active PhD community that meets formally and informally.

Coördinator Exchange Office

Word de spil van ons team en van internationale studentenmobiliteit!
Internationalisering is een belangrijke kernwaarde van het onderwijs van onze faculteit. Het ontdekken van een andere cultuur en gewoontes, uit de comfortzone treden, en een internationaal netwerk opbouwen zijn skills die van grote waarde zijn voor de rest van de (studie)loopbaan. We stimuleren onze studenten dan ook om bij één van onze partnerinstellingen een periode in het buitenland te studeren. Omgekeerd houdt dat in dat we ook studenten van deze partnerinstellingen bij onze opleidingen verwelkomen.

Het Exchange Office, onderdeel van het Education Service Centre, staat in direct contact met deze studenten en partnerinstellingen vanuit alle hoeken van de wereld. Als coördinator Exchange Office sta je middenin de onderwijsorganisatie. Je werkt samen met verschillende afdelingen binnen de faculteit en de UvA, zoals het Economics & Business Career Office, het Global Exchange Office, Juridische Zaken en de onderwijsbalie. Daarnaast stem je af met onder andere de onderwijsdirecteuren en de Academic Director of International Affairs over de uitvoering van studentenmobiliteit en het bestaande partnernetwerk.

Het Exchange Office is verantwoordelijk voor drie hoofdprocessen:

• Het informeren en begeleiden van studenten bij hun mogelijkheden voor studie in het buitenland en bijbehorende aanmeld- en nominatieprocessen;
• Het administratief verwerken van aanmeldingen, nominaties en dossiers;
• Het onderhouden van contact en het beheren van de contracten met onze internationale partnerinstellingen.

Dit ga je doen
Als coördinator Exchange Office coördineer je de dagelijkse werkzaamheden binnen het team en zorg je voor een efficiënte verdeling van de taken. Je bewaakt de voortgang, kwaliteit en termijnen van de verschillende processen en geeft collega's aanwijzingen en instructies over werkwijzen en procedures.

Naast deze coördinerende rol werk je mee aan de uitvoering van de processen. Je beantwoordt complexe vragen van studenten en medewerkers, onderhoudt contacten met internationale partneruniversiteiten en zorgt voor heldere en klantvriendelijke informatievoorziening. Je beheert de contracten met onze internationale partnerinstellingen en zorgt dat dit binnen juridische kaders verloopt. Ook signaleer je knelpunten en verbetermogelijkheden en doe je voorstellen om de dienstverlening en werkprocessen verder te optimaliseren in overleg met de domeinmanager.

Je werkt nauw samen met jouw collega's binnen het Exchange Office en ook met andere UvA Exchange Offices, bijvoorbeeld voor de ontwikkeling van nieuwe vormen van short term uitwisseling, zoals Summerschools of Blended Exchange (deels online, deels on campus onderwijs).

Het Exchange Office bestaat uit twee vaste medewerkers, een student-assistent en de coördinator. Je werkt nauw samen met de Academic Director of International Affairs van de faculteit. Je rapporteert aan de domeinmanager Student Services van het Education Service Centre.

Belangrijkste taken en verantwoordelijkheden:

• Je coördineert de dagelijkse werkzaamheden van het Exchange Office. Je bent verantwoordelijk voor en stuurt op werkprocessen, procedures en deadlines rond studentenuitwisseling;
• Je beheert contracten met internationale partners en zorgt voor juridische afstemming;
• Je onderhoudt contact met internationale partneruniversiteiten over praktische zaken, maar evalueert ook de bestaande samenwerking en ontwikkelt initiatieven om de samenwerking en uitwisselingsmogelijkheden verder te versterken;
• Je zorgt voor heldere en klantvriendelijke informatie aan studenten, medewerkers en externe partners via onder meer e-mail, de facultaire website, het inloopspreekuur en informatiebijeenkomsten;
• Je verzorgt administratieve rapportages en levert input voor beleidsontwikkeling op het gebied van studentenmobiliteit;
• Je werkt samen met verschillende stakeholders binnen de faculteit en de UvA en zorgt voor een goede onderlinge afstemming.

Dit vragen we van jou

• Je hebt minimaal een afgeronde hbo opleiding;
• Je hebt recente en aantoonbare ervaring met het coördineren van werkzaamheden, processen en/of projecten. Je weet collega's mee te nemen in afspraken en werkwijzen en kunt op een prettige en overtuigende manier richting geven aan dagelijkse werkzaamheden;
• Je gaat zorgvuldig en resultaatgericht te werk en kan goed overzicht houden over verschillende processen, procedures en deadlines;
• Je bent een netwerker: iemand die van nature houdt van contacten onderhouden en die een enthousiasmerende stijl van communiceren heeft met verschillende (internationale) stakeholders;
• Je maakt je nieuwe kennis en informatie snel eigen en toepasbaar in een complexe organisatie;
• Je kunt goed communiceren (schriftelijk en mondeling) in zowel het Nederlands als in het Engels.

Dit bieden we jou
Het dienstverband wordt aangegaan voor een periode van 1 jaar met een proeftijd van 2 maanden voor 32 uur per week en kan bij gebleken geschiktheid en voortzetting in dezelfde functie, bij gelijkblijvende (financiële en/of organisatorische) omstandigheden, omgezet worden in een dienstverband voor onbepaalde tijd.

Op deze functie is het UFO-profiel medewerker Internationalisering 2 van toepassing. Deze functie is ingedeeld in schaal 9. Dit betekent een bruto maandsalaris tussen € 3.873 en €5.264 bij een volledig dienstverband (38 uur per week) exclusief vakantiegeld (8%) en eindejaarsuitkering (8,3%). Inschaling is afhankelijk van competenties en werkervaring.

De Cao Nederlandse Universiteiten is van toepassing.

De UvA heeft een uitgebreid pakket secundaire arbeidsvoorwaarden, waaronder:

• 29 vakantiedagen bij een volledig dienstverband & extra vakantiedagen tussen kerst en de jaarwisseling;
• Uitstekende (thuis)werk faciliteiten;
• Vergoeding reiskosten woon-werkverkeer;
• Pensioenopbouw bij het ABP;
• Daarnaast biedt de UvA uitstekende studie- en ontwikkelingsmogelijkheden en stimuleert medewerkers om zich blijvend te professionaliseren.

Hier ga je werken
Het Education Service Centre (ESC) speelt een cruciale rol in goed georganiseerd onderwijs bij UvA Economie en Bedrijfskunde. Bij het ESC draait alles om het optimaal ondersteunen van zowel docenten als studenten, en het efficiënt organiseren en beheren van de onderwijsprocessen. Wij zorgen voor continuïteit in het onderwijs, zodat studenten kunnen studeren en docenten doceren.

Samen zorgen we dat het onderwijs loopt
Ons werk begint bij het selecteren en toelaten van studenten, en strekt zich uit tot het goed en tijdig informeren van docenten en studenten over de organisatie van ons onderwijs. We ondersteunen bij de onderwijsroostering, het afnemen van tentamens, het accuraat registreren van cijfers en het uitreiken van diploma's.

De spil in studieadvies, carrièrevoorbereiding en onderwijsontwikkeling
Onze studieadviseurs adviseren studenten over keuzes binnen de studie en over hun studievoortgang. Het EB Career Centre helpt studenten bij hun professionele ontwikkeling ter voorbereiding op hun carrière. En docenten ondersteunen we vanuit het Teaching and Learning Centre in hun voortdurende ontwikkeling, kennisdeling en bij onderwijsinnovatie.

Daarnaast staan we de onderwijsdirectie bij in het opstellen en implementeren van onderwijsbeleid en het bewaken van de onderwijskwaliteit waarbij accreditaties een belangrijke rol spelen. Ook het secretariaat van de examencommissie valt onder het ESC.

Toegewijde collega’s en werken vanuit vertrouwen
Bij het ESC werk je samen met 90 toegewijde collega’s met diverse achtergronden verdeeld over 13 teams. Wat ons verbindt? We hebben allemaal een hart voor studenten en docenten. Er is veel aandacht voor elkaar. Wij geloven in werken vanuit vertrouwen, waarbij vrijheid en verantwoordelijkheid hand in hand gaan.

Samen met docenten en de onderwijsdirectie zorgen we voor goed georganiseerd onderwijs bij UvA Economie en Bedrijfskunde.

Postdoc Quantum Torsional Resonators

Job description

The radical theory of quantum mechanics is known to describe the fundamental physics of our universe at the nanoscale: from atoms and fundamental particles from a century ago, to the quantum sensors and computers of today, quantum mechanics governs how these microscopic objects and devices behave. In contrast, at the macroscopic scale, quantum effects are elusive: the macroscopic world seems to follow instead the laws of classical physics. At an even deeper level, despite work of 100 years, physics has yet to find a clear way to integrate gravitational effects into quantum theory. At the same time, quantum experiments with large masses are an outstanding challenge, and will be crucial in addressing how gravity and quantum mechanics can be combined.

In the project, you will design, fabricate, and measure nanomechanical resonators coupled to superconducting quantum circuits with the aim of exploring the fundamental limits of the quantum behaviour of heavy, macroscopic objects. You will work with a team funded by an ERC Advanced proposal to do this using a radical new approach based on silicon nitride ribbon torsional resonators coupled directly via magnetic flux to a superconducting qubit. Building on the exciting flux-coupling concept pioneered in my group, you will bring mechanical experiments into new regimes, using quantum control over heavy objects via a superconducting qubit to build quantum superpositions of unprecedented size. You will develop skills to become an expert in complex nanofabrication as well as an expert in quantum measurements and control with superconducting quantum bits.

You will work in the world-class, state-of-the-art Kavli Nanolab facility in Delft, a unique flagship academic cleanroom in Europe with extensive expertise and specialised facilities for nanofabrication of quantum devices.

You will join a diverse and enthusiastic team of academic staff, PhD students and postdocs in the Steele Lab in the Quantum Nanoscience Department in Delft. You will meet regularly with your supervisors and other team members, and also be encouraged to develop and explore your own ideas. Furthermore, you will collaborate closely with local and international colleagues working in both experimental and theoretical fields to enable you to learn and execute world-leading research.

Job requirements

• A PhD degree in physics
• A PhD degree in electrical or mechanical engineering could also be suitable if strongly motivated by experience with quantum mechanics or nanomechanics

TU Delft (Delft University of Technology)
Working at TU Delft means contributing to solutions that really make a difference.

For over 180 years, we have been training engineers who make an impact worldwide in companies, government bodies, or as entrepreneurs. Our alumni turn knowledge into concrete solutions for the challenges of today and tomorrow. These challenges are changing rapidly. That is why we focus on themes such as energy, climate, digitalisation, artificial intelligence (AI), and smart mobility every day. Our education and research are directly aligned with what society needs now and in the future.

At TU Delft, our people make the difference. With their knowledge and curiosity, our staff provide a high-quality education and conduct pioneering research that extends beyond the campus. You will have the opportunity to take the initiative, work with others, and grow as a professional. Working at TU Delft means join an international community of professionals and students. Together, we create knowledge, innovations, and solutions that help move the world forward.

Faculty Applied Sciences
With more than 1,100 employees, including 150 pioneering principal investigators, as well as a population of about 3,600 passionate students, the Faculty of Applied Sciences is an inspiring scientific ecosystem. Focusing on key enabling technologies, such as quantum- and nanotechnology, photonics, biotechnology, synthetic biology and materials for energy storage and conversion, our faculty aims to provide solutions to important problems of the 21st century. To that end, we educate innovative students in broad Bachelor's and specialist Master's programmes with a strong research component. Our scientists conduct ground-breaking fundamental and applied research in the fields of Life and Health Science & Technology, Nanoscience, Chemical Engineering, Radiation Science & Technology, and Engineering Physics. We are also training the next generation of high school teachers.

Click here to go to the website of the Faculty of Applied Sciences.

PhD Position Quantum Torsional Resonators

Job description

The radical theory of quantum mechanics is known to describe the fundamental physics of our universe at the nanoscale: from atoms and fundamental particles from a century ago, to the quantum sensors and computers of today, quantum mechanics governs how these microscopic objects and devices behave. In contrast, at the macroscopic scale, quantum effects are elusive: the macroscopic world seems to follow instead the laws of classical physics. At an even deeper level, despite work of 100 years, physics has yet to find a clear way to integrate gravitational effects into quantum theory. At the same time, quantum experiments with large masses are an outstanding challenge, and will be crucial in addressing how gravity and quantum mechanics can be combined.

In the project, you will design, fabricate, and measure nanomechanical resonators coupled to superconducting quantum circuits with the aim of exploring the fundamental limits of the quantum behaviour of heavy, macroscopic objects. You will work with a team funded by an ERC Advanced proposal to do this using a radical new approach based on silicon nitride ribbon torsional resonators coupled directly via magnetic flux to a superconducting qubit. Building on the exciting flux-coupling concept pioneered in my group, you will bring mechanical experiments into new regimes, using quantum control over heavy objects via a superconducting qubit to build quantum superpositions of unprecedented size. You will develop skills to become an expert in complex nanofabrication as well as an expert in quantum measurements and control with superconducting quantum bits.

You will work in the world-class, state-of-the-art Kavli Nanolab facility in Delft, a unique flagship academic cleanroom in Europe with extensive expertise and specialised facilities for nanofabrication of quantum devices.

You will join a diverse and enthusiastic team of academic staff, PhD students and postdocs in the SteeleLab in the Quantum Nanoscience Department in Delft. You will meet regularly with your supervisors and other team members, and also be encouraged to develop and explore your own ideas. Furthermore, you will collaborate closely with local and international colleagues working in both experimental and theoretical fields to enable you to learn and execute world-leading research.

Job requirements

• An MSc degree in physics
• An MSc degree in electrical or mechanical engineering could also be suitable if strongly motivated by experience with quantum mechanics or nanomechanics

TU Delft (Delft University of Technology)
Working at TU Delft means contributing to solutions that really make a difference.

For over 180 years, we have been training engineers who make an impact worldwide in companies, government bodies, or as entrepreneurs. Our alumni turn knowledge into concrete solutions for the challenges of today and tomorrow. These challenges are changing rapidly. That is why we focus on themes such as energy, climate, digitalisation, artificial intelligence (AI), and smart mobility every day. Our education and research are directly aligned with what society needs now and in the future.

At TU Delft, our people make the difference. With their knowledge and curiosity, our staff provide a high-quality education and conduct pioneering research that extends beyond the campus. You will have the opportunity to take the initiative, work with others, and grow as a professional. Working at TU Delft means join an international community of professionals and students. Together, we create knowledge, innovations, and solutions that help move the world forward.

Faculty Applied Sciences
With more than 1,100 employees, including 150 pioneering principal investigators, as well as a population of about 3,600 passionate students, the Faculty of Applied Sciences is an inspiring scientific ecosystem. Focusing on key enabling technologies, such as quantum- and nanotechnology, photonics, biotechnology, synthetic biology and materials for energy storage and conversion, our faculty aims to provide solutions to important problems of the 21st century. To that end, we educate innovative students in broad Bachelor's and specialist Master's programmes with a strong research component. Our scientists conduct ground-breaking fundamental and applied research in the fields of Life and Health Science & Technology, Nanoscience, Chemical Engineering, Radiation Science & Technology, and Engineering Physics. We are also training the next generation of high school teachers.

Click here to go to the website of the Faculty of Applied Sciences.