A Research Assistant is sought to work under the supervision of Dr Vikki Janke (University of Kent) on a Leverhulme-funded project entitled “Breaking into sign language: the role of input and individual differences”, led by Prof Chloë Marshall (Institute of Education, UCL).

The project aims to investigate how hearing adults learn a sign language, and focuses on what they can learn on their very first exposure to this new language in a new modality. It comprises two strands. Strand 1 (in collaboration with Dr Vikki Janke, University of Kent) investigates how adult learners of sign use their hands to represent the locations of different objects in different spatial arrangements. Strand 2 (in collaboration with Prof. Marianne Gullberg, Lund University, Sweden) investigates how much sign language adults can learn after just a few minutes of viewing sign. The Research Assistant will be appointed to work principally on Strand 1, and be based at Kent with Vikki, but may also support some of the research in Strand 2.

As Research Assistant you will:

• undertake research in support of the project
• build behavioural experiments and develop testing materials
• recruit and test hearing participants in the research study and help to prepare the research findings

To be successful in this role you will have:

• experience of undertaking experimental research
• knowledge of a sign language (minimum BSL Stage 1 to begin with) or willingness to obtain this
• meticulous approach to record keeping, data collection, and data entry

Start date for applications: 7 March 2019    
Closing date for applications: 1 April 2019 
Interviews are to be held: 1 May 2019

Please see the links below to view the full job description and also to apply for this post. If you require further information regarding the application process please contact The Resourcing Team on jobs@kent.ac.uk quoting ref number: HUM0920

Please note - applications must be made via the University’s online application system. CVs or details sent directly to the department or via email cannot be considered.

HUM0920, Closing date: 1 April 2019
Grade 6 £27,830 - £32,236 per annum
Due to the funding for the position the starting salary is likely to be £27,830

https://www.jobs.ac.uk/job/BQR971