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Department of Modern Languages
P.O.Box 24 (Unioninkatu 40)
FI-00014 University of Helsinki

Phone +358 (09) 1911
Fax +358 (09) 191 28313

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CLARA - EU FP7 Project - Vacant position for researcher in Finite-State Technology

The University of Helsinki (UHEL) invites applications for a position as experienced researcher in Finite-state parsing methods at the Department of General Linguistics of the University of Helsinki.

The 2-year position involves participation in the EU project CLARA. Common Language Resources and their Applications, which is a Marie Curie Initial Training Network receiving funding from the European Commission.s 7th Framework Programme (cf. CLARA and Marie Curie Actions).

The specific position involves participation in the CLARA subproject Finite-state parsing methods, which is a cooperation between the University of Helsinki and the University of Turku. New possibilities for relating FST algorithms to language models and formalisms for parsers have emerged due to recent innovations in the methods for compiling FST rule formalisms. The overall aim of the subproject is to deepen the understanding of these methods and invent new applications for large-scale language processing tasks such as shallow parsing and information extraction.

The candidate will be given a supervisor at UHEL and will be offered joint supervision by academic staff at partner institutions. The candidate should be prepared to develop, in cooperation with the main supervisor, a more elaborate project description and a personal career plan within 4 months of the project period.

The CLARA network offers an intensive research exchange programme between 16 participating institutions. As part of the activities, the successful candidate is expected to partake actively in training activities organised by CLARA. This includes summer schools, seminars and courses organised locally and at other network institutions.

Applicants should hold a university degree (Masters/diploma or equivalent with additional four years of research experience or a PhD), and should be within the first five years of their research careers. Experience in building FST toolkits is considered a major advantage.

As the project is funded by an EU mobility scheme, there are also certain mobility requirements. Applicants must not have resided or performed their main activity in the host country for more than 12 months in the 3 year period immediately prior to the start date. (For a full list of mobility criteria, see Mobility Criteria.)

The salary is roughly EUR 59 360 per year. There are additional mobility (up to 800 euro/month) and travel allowances (yearly allowance) as well as a career exploratory allowance (2000 euro). The income is taxable and all compulsory deductions under national law will be made. There is no tuition fee for the researcher training offered by UHEL. There is a budget to cover participation costs, such as attendance at CLARA events abroad.

Women are particularly encouraged to apply.

Applicants need to have a good working knowledge of English, as all CLARA training events will be in English.

The Department of General Linguistics at UHEL carries out cutting-edge research within Finite-State Technology and its applications in e.g. the HFST project. The department also enjoys a long-standing reputation for being the home of the Koskenniemi Two-Level Model.

For further information about the available position and project, please contact Prof. Kimmo Koskenniemi, kimmo.koskenniemi@helsinki.fi. See also the Department of General Linguistics. The applications are due by November 15, 2009, and the position will be filled on December 1, 2009.

To be fully considered, please provide the following:

• A curriculum vitae including the following information:
  • Name, place and date of birth, sex and address.
  • Nationality (or nationalities) and record of residence (countries and periods of residence in those) for the past 3 years.
  • List of academic degrees obtained. For each degree, give the title in the original language and in English, the awarding institution and date.
  • Periods of parental leave during the past 4 years, if applicable.
• A list of topics covered in your studies (e.g. a list of courses), other relevant knowledge and activities in relevant research areas.
• Positions held and other relevant work experience.
• A list of publications.
• A sample of relevant written work (e.g. research paper or thesis, preferably in English).
• Copies of high school and university certificates and diplomas, and transcripts of courses taken.
• Two references and their contact information.
• A statement of research interests related to the current application.

Applications may be sent to Prof. Kimmo Koskenniemi, kimmo.koskenniemi@helsinki.fi. In case an application can only be submitted by regular post, it should be sent to:

Department of General Linguistics
P.O. Box 24 (Unioninkatu 40)
FIN-00014 UNIVERSITY OF HELSINKI
FINLAND