We are looking for a PhD Candidate (65%, m/f/x) in Digital Forensic Linguistics
The position is located in the group headed by Prof. Dr. Tatjana Scheffler (Digital Forensic Linguistics) in the Institute for German Studies. The research focus of the group is the theoretical and computational analysis of human language in digital media, in particular computational approaches to forensic linguistics. Research topics of the group include disinformation, hate speech, and automatic approaches to digital authorship, among others. The position includes a small teaching requirement (approximately 1 class per semester), which will be carried out in the undergraduate and graduate programs in German linguistics.
This position is meant to lead to further qualification of the holder in the form of a Ph.D. degree. Work on the Ph.D. thesis is considered part of the tasks in this position and should center around a project in the newly established field of digital forensic linguistics.
Your tasks: - Investigating new computational linguistic methods of analyzing, detecting and combating harmful online language (disinformation, hate speech, or other digital forensic applications) - Contributing to the development of the emerging research field Digital Forensic Linguistics - Creation of annotated corpora and datasets - Collaboration in an interdisciplinary team - Preparing research results for publication in leading venues (conferences and journals) - Teaching (1 class per semester) in the field of German linguistics (preferably in German) - Supervising student research assistants (m/f/x)
Your profile: - Very good Master's degree in computational linguistics or a related subject - Knowledge of and ideally practical experience with natural language processing (NLP), including machine learning methods (statistical methods, deep learning, LLMs) - Solid programming skills (e.g., Python) - Excellent language skills (reading and writing) in English; German skills preferred - Knowledge and experience in one or more of the following fields would be beneficial: forensic linguistics, corpus linguistics, analysis of social media data, psycholinguistic experiments, visual communication - Willingness to participate in interdisciplinary research
We offer: - Compensation according to TV-L E13, 65% - An interdisciplinary team including colleagues from computational linguistics, linguistics, and computer science - The opportunity to pursue a Ph.D. with strong support - Challenging and varied tasks with a high level of independence - Professional development, mentoring, and training - The opportunity to join one of the largest universities in Germany, embedded in the University Alliance Ruhr
Your application should include the following documents: (1) Cover letter, including your motivation for the position, (2) current CV, (3) transcript of records for the Bachelor's and Master's degree, (4) sample of your academic writing, e.g. (chapter from) Master's thesis, and (5) names and email addresses of two references. We would prefer that CVs do not include a personal photo. Your cover letter and CV should be written by you and clearly demonstrate the ways in which you match the requested profile. Please submit your application via the online form. Interviews are planned to take place in August 2026 via video conference (Zoom).
We look forward to receiving your application via our online application portal by 2026-08-24. Please make sure to mention the reference number ANR 5953.
Application Deadline: 24-Aug-2026
Web Address for Applications: https://jobs.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/jobposting/870a96abc9c1d265d30d96c359a15f0d1...
--- Tatjana Scheffler (she/her) GB 5/157 Ruhr-Universität Bochum Digital Forensic Linguistics Fakultät für Philologie, Germanistisches Institut Universitätsstraße 150 44780 Bochum Germany
Mail: tatjana.scheffler@rub.de Web: http://staff.germanistik.rub.de/digitale-forensische-linguistik/ Mastodon: https://fediscience.org/@tschfflr Tel.: +49 234 32-21471