The Research Group in Computational Linguistics invites applications for TWO 3-year PhD studentships in the area of translation technology. These two PhD studentships are part of a university investment which also includes the appointment of a reader (the equivalent of associate professor) and a research fellow with the aim to strengthen the existing research undertaken by members of the group in this area. These funded student bursaries consist of a stipend towards living expenses (£14,500 per year)and remission of fees.
We invite applications in the area of translation technology defined in the broadest sense possible and ranging from advanced methods in machine translation to user studies which involves using of technology in the translation process. We welcome proposals focusing on Natural Language Processing techniques for translation memory systems and translation tools in general. Given the current research interests of the group and its focus on computational approaches, we would be interested in topics including but not limited to:
- Enhancing retrieval and matching from translation memories with linguistic information
- The use of deep learning (and in general, statistical) techniques in translation memories
- (Machine) translation of user generated content
- The use of machine translation in cross-lingual applications
- Phraseology and computational treatment of multi-word expressions in machine translation and translation memory systems
- Quality estimation for translation professionals
Other topics will be also considered as long as they align with the interests of the group.
The application deadline is 31 July 2017 and the starting date of the PhD position is 1st October 2017or any time as soon as possible after that.
A successful applicant must have:
- A good honours degree or equivalent in Computational Linguistics, Computer Science, Translation studies or Linguistics
- A strong programming and statistical / Mathematical background or closely related areas (if relevant to the proposed topic).
- Experience in Computational Linguistics / Natural Language Processing, including statistical, Machine Learning and Deep Learning, applications to Natural Language Processing.
- Experience with translation technology
Regardless of the proposed topic experience with programming languages such as Python, Java or R would be a plus.
Applications must include:
- A curriculum vitae indicating degrees obtained, courses covered, publications, relevant work experience and names of two referees that could be contacted if necessary
- A research statement which outlines the topics of interest. More information about the expected structure of the research statement can be found athttps://www.wlv.ac.uk/media/departments/star-office/documents/Guidelines-for-completion-of-Research-Statement.doc
These documents will have to be sent by email before the deadline to Amanda Bloore (A.Bloore@wlv.ac.uk). Informal enquiries can be sent to Constantin Orasan (C.Orasan@wlv.ac.uk)
The shortlisted applicants will be interviewed by phone/Skype shortly after the application deadline.
Established by Prof Mitkov in 1998, the research group in Computational Linguistics delivers cutting-edge research in a number of NLP areas. The results from the latest Research Evaluation Framework confirm the research group in Computational Linguistics as one of the top performers in UK research with its research defined as ‘internationally leading, internationally excellent and internationally recognised’. The research group has recently completed successfully the coordination of the EXPERT project a successful EC Marie Curie Initial Training Network promoting research, development and use of data-driven technologies in machine translation and translation technology (http://expert-itn.eu)