Assistant Professor of Semantics and Computational Linguistics

Classification Title:

Assistant Professor

Job Description:

The Department of Linguistics at the University of Florida invites applications for a tenure-track appointment in semantics and computational linguistics at the rank of Assistant Professor, beginning August 16, 2025. This is a full-time, nine-month, tenure-accruing position. Candidates should have an active research agenda in semantics and employ computational methods (widely defined). We particularly welcome applicants who can also contribute to our departmental focus on computational language science. Other departmental foci include language documentation, psycholinguistics, and theoretical linguistics. Ability to teach a variety of courses in semantics and computational methods is required. 

UF has recently committed to a university-wide artificial intelligence initiative along with a major super-computing collaboration with NVIDIA (ai.ufl.edu). Thus, we particularly encourage applications from candidates whose research explores semantics in ways that intersect with current research in computational language science. The Department of Linguistics seeks to train the next generation of linguists who are comfortable integrating theoretical and computational approaches to language into their research in innovative ways. 

The successful candidate will be expected to 1) maintain an active research agenda, 2) pursue external research funding, 3) teach two courses per semester at the undergraduate and/or graduate level, 4) provide service to the department, the university, and the profession. It is also desirable for the candidate to contribute to UF’s university-wide Artificial Intelligence initiative to train graduates for an AI-enabled world (ai.ufl.edu), and seek collaborations within the department as well as with other units on campus such as the UF Data Science and Information Technology Center, the Center for Big Learning, the UF Informatics Institute, or the McKnight Brain Institute. 

UF is the state’s oldest, largest, and most comprehensive land grant university with an enrollment of over 50,000 students and was ranked 5th best public university in the United States by US News and World Report 2022, and #1 public university by the Wall Street Journal in its “2024 Best Colleges in the U.S.” report. UF is located in Gainesville, a city of approximately 150,000 residents in NorthCentral Florida, 50 miles from the Gulf of Mexico, and 67 miles from the Atlantic Ocean, and within a 2-hour drive to large metropolitan areas (Orlando, Tampa, Jacksonville). The beautiful climate and extensive nearby parks and recreational areas afford year-round outdoor activities, including hiking, biking, and nature photography. UF’s large college sports programs, museums, and performing arts center support a range of activities and cultural events for residents to enjoy. Alachua County schools are highly rated and offer a variety of programs including magnet schools and an international baccalaureate program. Learn more about what Gainesville has to offer at Visit Gainesville.

The Department of Linguistics at the University of Florida is a vibrant and congenial unit consisting of 14 full-time faculty and 15 affiliated faculty in the departments of Anthropology; Languages, Literatures, and Cultures; Spanish and Portuguese Studies; and the Dial Center for Written & Oral Communication. We offer a B.A., M.A. and Ph.D. in Linguistics, as well as an undergraduate minor and undergraduate certificate in TESL and a graduate certificate in Second Language Acquisition and Teaching. We have faculty expertise in a wide range of linguistic subfields, and particular strengths in the areas of bilingualism, language 

Expected Salary:

The salary is competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience, and the compensation includes a full benefits package.

Employment Benefits include:

Health Insurance: UF participates in state- and university-sponsored benefits programs for individuals, families, and domestic partners, and offers voluntary insurance that includes vision, dental, long-term disability and more. 

Retirement Options: Attractive options include Florida Retirement System Pension Plan, State University System Optional Retirement Program, Florida Retirement System Investment Plan, and Voluntary Retirement Savings Plan. 

Leave: UF staff enjoy a generous paid leave plan as well as access to a sick-leave pool, maternity/paternity leave, and leave payouts. 

Minimum Requirements:

Candidates must hold a Ph.D. in linguistics by August 15, 2025.

Ability to teach a variety of courses in semantics and computational methods is required.

Preferred Qualifications:

None

Special Instructions to Applicants:

For full consideration, applications must be submitted online. Click on Apply Now at the top of this posting.

A complete application includes: (1) a brief cover letter, (2) a teaching statement, (3) a statement of research interests, (4) a CV, (5) 1-3 sample publications, (6) the names and email addresses for three references, and (7) representative teaching evaluations if available. After initial review, an email will be sent to your references, requesting them to upload their confidential letter to the submission packet. 

Applications will be reviewed beginning November 18, 2024, and the position will remain open until filled. Only complete applications will be reviewed at this time. Applications received after this date may be considered at the discretion of the committee and/or hiring authority.

All candidates for employment are subject to a pre-employment screening which includes a review of criminal records, reference checks, and verification of education.

The selected candidate will be required to provide an official transcript to the hiring department upon hire. A transcript will not be considered “official” if a designation of “Issued to Student” is visible. Degrees earned from an educational institution outside of the United States require evaluation by a professional credentialing service provider approved by the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES), which can be found at http://www.naces.org/.

The University of Florida is an equal opportunity institution dedicated to building a broadly diverse and inclusive faculty and staff. Searches are conducted in accordance with Florida's Sunshine Law. If an accommodation due to disability is 

needed in order to apply for this position, please call (352) 392-2477 or the Florida Relay System at (800) 955-8771 (TDD). 

The Department of Linguistics is committed to promoting an environment that welcomes all abilities, classes, ethnicities/races, gender identities and expressions. We particularly welcome applicants who can contribute to such an environment through their scholarship, teaching, mentoring, and professional service. The university and greater Gainesville communities enjoy a diversity of cultural events, restaurants, year-round outdoor recreational activities, and social opportunities

Health Assessment Required: No