4-year PhD Studentship (Fully funded) in Language Evolution using Communication Games

We are looking for a full-time PhD candidate to join the research group ‘Language Evolution and Adaptation in Diverse Situations’ (LEADS), led by Dr. Limor Raviv, at the Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics. The PhD project will focus on experimentally testing the social and cognitive pressures that shape human language evolution from the very early stages of language emergence, to the ongoing diversification and change we see across languages today. 

Job description

This 4-year PhD project will use group communication games and artificial language learning experiments to investigate the role of social biases, language contact, and prior knowledge on the evolution of miniature languages created by groups of participants in the lab and online. As part of this project, you will investigate the impact of social prestige - asking how varying participants’ social attributes and attitudes towards each other shape their linguistic preferences, their imitation strategies, and their transmission and diffusion patterns. You will also use these experimental paradigms to simulate real-world scenarios of language evolution under contact conditions, for example by testing the formation of new languages when individuals come from different linguistic and cultural backgrounds (as in the case of Creoles), or when established language communities are introduced with naïve vs. experienced participants (simulating the role of L1/L2 learners). 

Essentials

• A Masters’ degree in a relevant discipline (e.g., linguistics, psychology, cognitive science, neuroscience). Students who expect to complete their Master’s degree by August 2026 are welcome to apply.
• A deep interest in, and basic knowledge of, key topics in language evolution, language change, language learning, human evolution, and communication.
• Hands-on experience in conducting empirical research (e.g., experimental design, stimuli selection, recruitment, data collection, data analysis, report writing).
• Hands-on experience with experimental software (e.g., PsychoPy, E-Prime, Gorilla, Presentation).
• Hands-on experience in data visualization, data analysis, and programming in R and/or Python.
• Experience in, and aptitude for, complex statistical modelling (inc. mixed effects regression models and/or Bayesian statistics; e.g., brms / lme4 packages).
• Excellent written and spoken English.

Desirables (traits that would give you an advantage)

• Training in evolutionary linguistics / sociolinguistics / cultural evolution.
• Experience in designing and conducting iterated learning, dyadic communication, or artificial language learning experiments.
• Experience in computational modelling (e.g., agent-based Bayesian models, cognitive learning models, machine learning).
• Experience in annotation software such as ELAN and PRAAT.
• Existing peer-reviewed journal publications and conference presentation experience. 
• An explicit interest in, and commitment to, Open Science.

What we offer you

• Starting date is 1st of September 2026.
• Full time PhD position (39 hours per week), fully funded for 4 years.
• Starting gross salary is approx. €3,185 per month (based on full-time employment, as determined according to the German TVöD (Tarifvertrag für den öffentlichen Dienst).
• 30 holidays per year, based on full-time employment; in addition, we honour both Dutch and German public holidays.
• Enrolment in a personal pension scheme to which both employer and employee pay a monthly contribution.
• Access to state-of-the art research and training facilities and a generous conference and travel budget.
• Educational training programme provided by the International Max Planck Research School for Language Sciences.
• Doctoral degree conferred by Radboud University, our partner university.

Application procedure

The deadline for applications is Monday, May 18th, 2026.

Please submit your application directly via the ‘Apply’ button above.

*If you encounter any issues with the application portal, we recommend trying a different browser, as this often solves the problem.

For questions and informal enquiries, contact Dr. Limor Raviv (limor.raviv@mpi.nl).

Applications should be in .pdf format and include

• One-page statement of why you are interested in this position, why you consider yourself a good match for it, your relevant qualifications, and what your research interests are. 
• One-page summary of your MA/MSc dissertation.
• A current CV including publication list, education, and relevant work experience. 
• Names and email addresses of at least three referees who would be willing to provide letters of recommendation (upon request: referees will not be contacted unless you are invited to interview).

Important: We will only accept original documents written by you. Do not use generative AI chatbots (e.g., ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, etc) or other AI assistants to prepare your application. While you are allowed to use such tools to check for grammar and spelling issues, we will not accept applications containing AI-generated or AI-enhanced text. To avoid rejection, make sure you write all the application documents (such as the cover letter and MA summary) yourself.

The employer

About our institute

The Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics is a world-leading research institute devoted to interdisciplinary studies of the science of language and communication, including departments on genetics, psychology, development, neurobiology and multimodality of these fundamental human abilities.
We investigate how children and adults acquire their language(s), how speaking and listening happen in real time, how the brain processes language, how the human genome contributes to building a language-ready brain, how multiple modalities (as in speech, gesture and sign) shape language and its use in diverse languages and how language is related to cognition and culture, and shaped by evolution.
We are part of the Max Planck Society, an independent non-governmental association of German-funded research institutes dedicated to fundamental research in the natural sciences, life sciences, social sciences, and the humanities.

The Max Planck Society is an equal opportunities employer. We recognise the positive value of diversity and inclusion, promote equity and challenge discrimination. We aim to provide a working environment with room for differences, where everyone feels a sense of belonging. Therefore, we welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates.

Our institute is situated on the campus of the Radboud University and has close collaborative links with the Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour and the Centre for Language Studies at Radboud University. We also work closely with other child development researchers as part of the Baby & Child Research Center.
Staff and students at the MPI have access to state-of-the art research and training facilities.

About our graduate school

The International Max Planck Research School for Language Sciences is a joint initiative of the Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics and two research institutes based at Radboud University - the Centre for Language Studies and the Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour. The graduate school serves to bring together outstanding doctoral students from diverse disciplines in the language sciences on campus, and offer them high-quality training in an environment that both broadens their interdisciplinary experience and prepares them for fulfilling careers in the language sciences. 

Our education and training program involves both core and individually chosen coursework to complement the PhD research, and training in soft skills such as writing and presentation. Learn more here.