Funded PhD Position on Accent Bias in Legal Contexts
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The PhD position is part of the Horizon Europe Framework Programme (HORIZON) Doctoral Network “Bridging Communication Gaps in Human and Human-AI Interactions: The Role of Accented Speech on Neurocognitive mechanisms and Social Dynamics (HUM.AI.N-ACCENT)”.
A PhD position is available at the Center for the Study of Language and Society at the University of Bern. The successful candidate will conduct research on the perceived credibility of foreign-accented speakers in courtroom contexts (the specific accent/language combinations studied to be determined in consultation with the successful applicant). Using virtual reality to elicit attitudinal responses within information-rich environments, the PhD project will identify how social and role-linked stereotypes interact with individual listener factors to constrain how foreign accents are evaluated in legal settings. The goal of the project is to better understand the cognitive processes and reasoning methods that leads to foreign accent bias and the individual and context factors that moderate it. Project methods include experimental sociolinguistics and quantitative, variationist analysis.
The Doctoral Candidate (DC) will be part of an international network of 13 research labs located throughout Europe who work on the EU-funded HUM.AI.N-ACCENT project. The full consortium includes a total of 24 academic and non-academic partners in Europe, Canada and the US. As part of their training, the DC will attend regular events across Europe and conduct short stays (secondments) with at least two Beneficiary/Partner Organizations. The funding for the project in Bern will be provided directly by the Swiss State Secretariat for Education, Research, and Innovation, as stipulated in the funding guarantee of the Swiss government for EU-funded projects.
HUM.AI.N-ACCENT is an interdisciplinary research network that explores the neurocognitive and social impacts of foreign-accented speech in human-human and human-AI interactions. With millions of new arrivals to the European Union each year, there is an urgent need to understand how foreign accents influence communication, decision-making, and social dynamics. Research has shown that
foreign-accented speech can generate biases and increase cognitive load, yet the origins and consequences of these effects are still poorly understood. The HUM.AI.N-ACCENT network aims to fill this gap by combining insights from cognitive psychology, neuroscience, AI engineering, human-computer interaction, and social science, with lifespan perspectives. Using advanced methodologies like neuroimaging, eye-tracking, virtual reality, and neural tracking, the project will investigate how foreign-accented speech affects neural responses, attention allocation, and social judgments. By studying both human-human and human-AI interactions, the project will provide critical insights into how accents shape communication and behaviour in diverse contexts.
The Center for the Study of Language and Society (CSLS) at the University of Bern is an interdisciplinary research center located in the Faculty of Humanities. CSLS research focuses on exploring how social changes affect languages and language use, how social beliefs and ideologies are reproduced and transmitted through language, and how, conversely, beliefs about language and language users have lasting social impacts. The CSLS offers a comprehensive research training programme, including advanced training in sociolinguistic field methods, quantitative and qualitative linguistic analysis, instrumental phonetic analysis, behavioural experiments, social media analysis, and research ethics. The CSLS maintains two state-of-the-art linguistic labs, featuring professional-grade audio recording, eye-tracking, VR and behavioural experiment stations.
• A Master's degree (or equivalent) in Linguistics, Sociolinguistics, Social Psychology, or a related field
• The candidate must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in Switzerland for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before their appointment.
• The candidate must not already be in possession of a doctoral degree
Desirable Criteria:
• Prior experience with sociolinguistic experiments
• Knowledge of statistical data analysis and modelling
• Familiarity with theories of social (and sociolinguistic) cognition
• Familiarity with virtual reality environments
• Good command of academic English (oral and written)
• Desire to be part of an international research network
• Ability to travel across Europe/North America for research training and secondments
• Experience working in a team, ability to work independently and to meet agreed deadlines
Working Conditions:
• Gross salary: ca. CHF 73'733 per annum
• Mobility allowance: ca. CHF 7'970 per annum
• Family allowance (if applicable): ca. CHF 7'409 per annum
Values listed are indicative. Final salary will follow MSCA guidelines and be determined during the recruitment process. Gross salary includes mandatory employer social security contributions.
Language:
The primary working language of the HUM.AI.N-ACCENT network is English. The main administrative language of the University of Bern is German. Familiarity with German is an asset, but not a requirement.
1) Training through individually personalized research project under senior supervision
2) Exchanging knowledge with the scientific community and the general public
3) Network-wide training in theory and methods
4) Complementary training courses
5) Involvement in proposal writing, task coordination
6) Development of skills for the organization of training and scientific events
The University of Bern seeks to promote an inclusive and collegial environment where all talents can flourish, regardless of gender, sexuality, age, cultural background, nationality or disability. If you have any questions relating to accessibility or support, please contact us.
First-round interviews (online) with Prof Levon: mid-November
Second-round interviews (online) with HUM.AI.N network: late-November/early-December
Final decision: by 08.12.2025
Feedback to all applicants: by 12.12.2025
- A statement outlining your research interests and experience and your motivation to apply for the position, including an indication of the specific social/linguistic context you would be interested in researching (2 pages maximum)
- a current CV
- two letters of recommendation
