Computational linguistics is the science of understanding and modeling human language using computers. Since human language has many forms – spoken, signed and written – and involves various organs such as the vocal tract, ears, face, hands, eyes, and the brain, our research covers the full range of these modalities and senses.

Fluency in spoken communication – the ability to speak with smooth, natural timing and appropriate speed – forms the foundation of successful spoken interaction, enabling efficient and effective exchange of information. It is one of the most salient hallmarks of spoken language proficiency. While fluency has been extensively studied in speech communication, its role in sign language, where language is conveyed entirely through the visual-spatial modality, remains largely unexplored.

In a newly funded SNSF project, “Fluency in Speech and Signing” (FluSS), we aim to understand how utterance production and cognitive mechanisms in sign language compare to those in speech. Specifically, we will investigate whether the mechanisms that underlie fluency in speech also play a critical role in sign language fluency. The project consists of three closely interconnected subprojects: (1) Fluency across modalities and proficiency levels (Prof. Dr. Tobias Haug, University of Teacher Education in Special Needs, HfH), (2) Automatic analysis of fluency in speech and signing (Prof. Dr. Sarah Ebling, University of Zurich), and (3) Common cognitive processes in speech and signing (Prof. Dr. Volker Dellwo, University of Zurich). The project is carried out in collaboration with Prof. Dr. Nivja de Jong (Leiden University).

We are seeking a postdoctoral researcher (4 years) at the Department of Computational Linguistics, University of Zurich. The researcher's focus will be on the analysis of raw acoustic and visual signals to find correlates for aspects of fluency in speech and signing. The researcher will be involved mainly in subprojects 2 and 3 but will communicate and collaborate across the entire project.

The Department of Computational Linguistics conducts research and teaching in artificial intelligence for language and speech. The position will be hosted across the Phonetics & Speech Sciences (Prof. Dr. Volker Dellwo) and Language, Technology and Accessibility (Prof. Dr. Sarah Ebling) groups. The experimental work will be carried out in the laboratory of the Linguistic Research Infrastructure (LiRI).

• Conduct research throughout all phases of the project, adhering to the milestones and deliverables
• Particular involvement in collecting data, signal processing in audio and visual signals
• Present your findings at international conferences and in scientific publications
• Active co-management of the newly established Visual Language Lab of LiRI
• Co-supervise doctoral students in the project

• Excellent doctoral degree with expertise in audio-visual signal processing, computer science/computer vision, AI, or a related discipline
• Strong programming skills (e.g. Python or Matlab)
• Familiarity with camera technology
• Proficiency in English
• Knowledge of German is a plus
• Interest in sign languages and sign language linguistics; readiness to engage with the sign language community and to acquire one of the Swiss sign languages
• Preexisting knowledge of a sign language is a plus
• Very good communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills
• Knowledge of or interest in open research data (ORD) approaches, including FAIR data

Information on your application

• Excellent research conditions (including access to state-of-the-art equipment, infrastructure, and shared facilities) in a highly attractive city
• Friendly working environment in an enthusiastic interdisciplinary team
• Exchange with other research groups of the department as part of dedicated events (colloquia, lecture series)
• Salary in accordance with the cantonal regulations (80% postdoctoral position 82'371 CHF/year)
• This position is limited up to 4 years

• Wide range of continuing education courses of UZH and the Canton of Zurich
• Language Center run jointly with ETH Zurich