Leiden University is inviting applications for two fully funded PhD positions in Descriptive and Documentary Linguistics as part of an NWO funded research project on endangered languages in eastern Indonesia.
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The project, titled Usku and Banda: Automated Documentation of Endangered Languages of Eastern Indonesia, will document and analyse two languages that are at risk of disappearing. One PhD candidate will focus on Usku, a small Papuan language spoken in Papua, while the second will study Banda, an Austronesian language spoken on Kei Besar in Maluku.
2027 Fully Funded Leiden University Linguistics PhD Scholarship Summary
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| University | Leiden University |
| Institute | Leiden University Centre for Linguistics |
| Faculty | Faculty of Humanities |
| Positions | 2 PhD candidates |
| Research area | Descriptive and Documentary Linguistics |
| Countries studied | Indonesia |
| Usku speakers | Around 100 |
| Banda speakers | Around 4,000 |
| Funding | Fully funded employment |
| Duration | 4 years |
| Salary | €3,204 to €4,051 gross/month |
| Start date | February to July 2027 |
| Location | Leiden, Netherlands |
| Deadline | 25 October 2026 |
| Vacancy number | 16880 |
About the PhD Research Project
The positions are part of an NWO funded Open Competition Large project led by Prof. Dr. Marian Klamer, with Dr. Eline Visser from Uppsala University and research engineer Dr. Sophie Villerius. The research focuses on documenting two endangered languages in eastern Indonesia.
PhD Position 1: Usku
Usku, also known as Afra, is a Papuan language spoken in northeastern Papua in the western half of New Guinea. Usku is a moribund language isolate with around 100 speakers. Researchers will work with the speaker community to build a detailed record of the language before it potentially disappears.
PhD Position 2: Banda
The second PhD focuses on Banda, an Austronesian language spoken by approximately 4,000 people on Kei Besar Island in Maluku. The research will document natural language use and develop a substantial linguistic record that can support further grammatical and historical analysis. An important part of the project is the use of AI assisted linguistic tools.
What Will the PhD Candidates Research?
Both researchers will create documentary records of their respective languages through fieldwork and community collaboration.
The work will include:
- Collecting audio and visual linguistic and cultural data
- Building naturalistic language collections
- Developing extensive word lists
- Transcribing and annotating recorded material
- Analysing phonology, morphology and syntax
- Archiving linguistic data
- Investigating relationships between languages
- Studying possible language contact with neighbouring languages and Indonesian or Malay
- Exploring what linguistic evidence can reveal about migration and contact in the region
The PhD candidates will test and evaluate tools designed to automate tasks such as:
- Transcription
- Translation
- Morphological segmentation
- Glossing
- Linguistic data analysis
This gives the positions a strong connection between traditional field linguistics and emerging language technology.
Why Is the Research Important?
The younger generations of Usku and Banda speakers are increasingly shifting toward Indonesian. If this continues, both languages could become extinct within two generations. Documenting them now can preserve valuable linguistic and cultural information while the languages are still spoken.
The resulting records could also help researchers understand historical relationships between communities, including patterns of migration, language contact and cultural interaction in eastern Indonesia.
Benefits of the PhD Positions
Successful candidates will receive:
- A fully funded four year PhD employment position
- Monthly salary starting at €3,204 gross
- Salary increasing to €4,051 gross per month in the fourth year
- Additional holiday allowance
- Additional year end allowance
- Potential tax benefits for eligible candidates from outside the Netherlands
- Access to the research environment at Leiden University Centre for Linguistics
- Opportunities to conduct fieldwork in Indonesia
- Experience with AI assisted linguistic documentation
- Opportunities to present research at conferences and workshops
- Opportunities to publish research
- Teaching experience at bachelor level
- The appointment is subject to the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants should have:
- A Master’s degree in Linguistics, completed before the PhD starts
- Demonstrated interest in language documentation, field linguistics, descriptive linguistics or a related area
- Excellent academic and research English
- Working knowledge of Indonesian, or willingness to learn Indonesian during the first six months
- A strong cooperative attitude
- An interest in collaborative research
Additional Advantage
Previous fieldwork experience in a non Western context is considered an advantage. The university also states that candidates from Indonesia may receive preference in cases where candidates are considered equally suitable.
Responsibilities
The selected PhD candidates will be expected to:
- Collect audio visual linguistic and cultural data through fieldwork in Indonesia.
- Transcribe, annotate, analyse and archive naturalistic language data.
- Test and evaluate automated linguistic data tools.
- Present research findings at workshops and conferences.
- Publish research results.
- Complete a PhD thesis during the appointment.
- Assist with bachelor level teaching.
- Help organise knowledge dissemination activities.
- Participate in project meetings and research training.
Required Application Documents
Applicants must submit the following:
- Cover Letter
- Academic CV
- Academic Transcript
- Thesis
- Two References
Where Will You Work?
The successful candidates are expected to work in Leiden, Netherlands. The research will also involve fieldwork in Indonesia because the project requires direct documentation of Usku and Banda and collaboration with their speaker communities. Leiden University Centre for Linguistics has more than 120 linguists and specialises in the study of languages around the world.
How to Apply
Step 1: Choose Your Preferred PhD Position
Decide whether you are applying for the Usku or Banda research project. Your choice should be clearly stated in your cover letter.
Step 2: Prepare Your Academic Documents
Prepare your:
- Academic CV
- Official Bachelor and Master transcripts
- Writing samples
- Contact details for two referees
Step 3: Write Your Cover Letter
Explain your motivation and why your academic background and research interests fit the selected project.
Step 4: Submit Your Application
Applications must be submitted through the provided link below.
Important Dates
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 25 October 2026 | Application deadline |
| First half of November 2026 | Interviews |
| February to July 2027 | Expected start period |
| 4 years | PhD appointment |
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How many PhD positions are available?
There are two PhD positions.
2. What is the research area?
The positions are in Descriptive and Documentary Linguistics.
3. What languages will the PhD candidates study?
One candidate will study Usku, while the other will study Banda.
4. Where is Usku spoken?
Usku is spoken in northeastern Papua in the western half of New Guinea.
5. How many Usku speakers are there?
The vacancy estimates around 100 speakers.
6. How many people speak Banda?
The vacancy states that Banda has approximately 4,000 speakers.
7. Is the PhD fully funded?
Yes. The positions are funded PhD employment positions with a monthly salary.
8. How much does the PhD pay?
The salary ranges from €3,204 gross per month in the first year to €4,051 gross per month in the fourth year for a full time appointment.
9. How long is the PhD appointment?
The appointment is for four years.
10. What degree is required?
Applicants need a Master’s degree in Linguistics completed before the start date.
11. Do I need to speak Indonesian?
Working knowledge of Indonesian is required, or applicants must be willing to acquire it during the first six months.
12. Is previous fieldwork experience mandatory?
No. The vacancy describes fieldwork experience in a non Western context as a plus, rather than a mandatory requirement.
13. Can international students apply?
The vacancy does not restrict applications to Dutch nationals. It specifically notes that candidates from outside the Netherlands may be eligible for a substantial tax break.
14. Where will the PhD candidates be based?
The successful candidates are expected to work in Leiden, Netherlands.
15. Will the research involve travel to Indonesia?
Yes. Fieldwork in Indonesia is part of the responsibilities of both positions.
16. Will the PhD involve AI?
Yes. Candidates will test and evaluate AI tools designed for automated transcription, translation, morphological segmentation and glossing.
17. What documents are required?
Applicants need a cover letter, full academic CV, official academic transcript, writing sample and contact details for two referees.
18. Are reference letters required?
No. Applicants are asked to provide the names and email addresses of two references who may be contacted by the selection committee.
19. When is the application deadline?
The deadline is 25 October 2026.
20. When will interviews take place?
Interviews are scheduled for the first half of November 2026.
