Senior Research Associate in Philosophy of Language / Linguistics

University of Bristol - School of Arts

The role

This is a three-year postdoctoral research position in the Department of Philosophy at the University of Bristol. The Research Associate will work as part of the ERC project Expressing Value in Language (EVIL), led by Principal Investigator Dr Poppy Mankowitz. The project investigates evaluative adjectives (‘good’, ‘bad’, ‘beautiful’, ‘tasty’, etc.) from the perspective of philosophy, theoretical linguistics and experimental linguistics. The role holder will have expertise in philosophy of language and / or linguistics.

What will you be doing?

The role holder will work collaboratively as part of a project team consisting of the Principal Investigator, two postdoctoral Research Associates and one PhD student.

The project forms three mutually informing parts. Part 1 (‘Theoretical Details’) aims to develop a linguistic analysis of ‘good’ and investigate the implications for debates about moral value within metaethics, value theory and broader philosophy. Part 2 (‘Theoretical Generalisations’) aims to develop a linguistic analysis of the broader class of evaluative adjectives, addressing foundational issues surrounding related phenomena (gradability, multidimensionality, experiencers, judges), while exploring the implications for philosophical debates about non-moral value. Part 3 (‘Empirical Investigations’) evaluates predictions derived from the analyses developed in Parts 1 and 2, via sentence-judgement tasks and cross-linguistic studies.

The role holder is expected to conduct research primarily on the aspects of Parts 1 and 2 that investigate evaluative adjectives from the perspective of theoretical linguistics and philosophy of language. The capacity to assist with experimental linguistic work involved in Part 3 is also desirable.

You should apply if

• You have a PhD in Philosophy or Linguistics (completed or submitted) by the time of the appointment.
• You have research expertise in philosophy of language and / or linguistics.
• You have the ability to conduct research independently.
• You have an interest in interdisciplinary work that connects metaethics, philosophy of language and linguistics.

Additional information

To apply, please upload to the application system: a cover letter outlining suitability for the role, a CV, and a writing sample. Applicants who do not provide these may not be considered for shortlisting.

Contract type: Open-ended with three years fixed funding

Work pattern: 1 FTE

Shift pattern: Monday - Friday

This advert will close at 23:59 UK time on 9th April 2026

For informal queries please contact: poppy.mankowitz@bristol.ac.uk