PhD Position: Learning to Write and Writing to Learn in the Age of AI

1. Introduction

Are you interested in writing to learn and learning to write in the age of AI? As a PhD candidate, you will investigate these topics at the intersection of (foreign) language learning and technological developments. You will be able to work on your own research project as part of a larger team effort to better understand how technology interacts with foreign language writing and learning.

2. Job description

Two PhD research projects are part of a larger project on academic writing in the age of AI. Writing is integral to every academic curriculum, training students to process disciplinary content and to report on their own as well as existing research in a nuanced way. The increasingly widespread availability of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools comes with opportunities but also entails risks for the development of students’ writing skills. This larger two-part project investigates: (1) what it means to learn to write in the age of AI and how this impacts curriculum design and testing (Project I) and (2) to what extent, and under which conditions, AI tools can help or hinder the process of writing to learn disciplinary content (Project II).

Project I contributes to our understanding of writer-AI interaction and delivers research-informed guidelines and materials for learning to write. Project II serves to clarify how AI affects writing tasks’ inherent content and language learning potential and offers research-informed practical recommendations detailing under which conditions AI tools can help or hinder writing to learn language as well as content. You can indicate in your application whether you are applying for the position on Project I or the one on Project II, or state that you are open to being considered for either project.  

You will be asked to submit a brief research proposal (max. 400 words excluding bibliography) in which you describe your own perspective related to one or both of the above projects and formulate tentative research ideas.

As a PhD candidate, you will further develop the research needed to address the questions in one of the two projects. This will include specifying the research questions and expectations, designing the relevant studies and instruments, collecting and analysing data, and reporting on all these stages in papers and a doctoral thesis. In the initial stages of the project, you will collaborate with your fellow PhD candidate. Together with your supervisors, you will be part of the larger project team and the CLS Language Learning Teaching and Testing research group.

As a PhD candidate at the Centre for Language Studies (CLS), you will also be a member of the Graduate School for the Humanities (GSH). Up to about 75% of your time will be devoted to the research for and writing of your PhD thesis. The remaining 25% will be spent on academic and educational training and academic services to the Faculty of Arts, including teaching.

Would you like to learn more about what it is like to pursue a PhD at Radboud University? Visit the page about working as a PhD candidate. 

3. Profile

• You hold an MA degree in (Applied) Linguistics or in a closely related discipline such as cognitive or educational psychology or educational science.
• You preferably have a solid basis in Second Language Acquisition or Foreign Language Teaching.
• You have previous experience with either empirical (linguistic, psychological or educational) research. Additional familiarity with Artificial Intelligence is a plus.
• You have proven ability to conduct independent academic research and work in a collaborative research environment.
• You have proven ability in project and time management.
• You have a good command of Dutch and of English and/or French, and strong academic writing skills.
• You are willing to perform teaching and service duties.

4. We are

The Centre for Language Studies (CLS) is a research institute dedicated to the understanding of language and the way we use it. Our researchers study this topic from different perspectives and in several contexts, using a variety of innovative research methods. CLS aims to conduct language science that matters: fundamental research that sheds new light on language and that provides value to organisations and audiences outside the academic world.

5. We offer

• We will give you a temporary employment contract (1.0 FTE) of 1.5 years, after which your performance will be evaluated. If the evaluation is positive, your contract will be extended by 2.5 years (4-year contract).     
• You will receive a starting salary of €3,059 gross per month based on a 38-hour working week, which will increase to €3,881 in the fourth year (salary scale P).
• You will receive an 8% holiday allowance and an 8,3% end-of-year bonus. 
• We offer Dual Career Coaching. The Dual Career Coaching assists your partner via support, tools, and resources to improve their chances of independently finding employment in the Netherlands. 
• You will receive extra days off. With full-time employment, you can choose between 30 or 41 days of annual leave instead of the statutory 20. 

6. Practical information and applying

You can apply only via the button below. Address your letter of application to Rob Schoonen. In the application form, you will find which documents you need to include with your application. We look forward to receiving your application.

The first interviews will take place on Monday 20 October. You will preferably start your employment on 1 December 2025.

We can imagine you're curious about our application procedure. It describes what you can expect during the application procedure and how we handle your personal data and internal and external candidates.