PhD fellowship in Second Language Acquisition and Conversational AI

Sub-project 3 · Supervisors: Prof. Serge Bibauw & Prof. Magali Paquot

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The University of Louvain (UCLouvain) has an opening for a PhD fellowship at the intersection of second language acquisition, learner corpus research and computer-assisted language learning, within the interdisciplinary research project “How Generative AI is shaping human language: insights from post-AI language use, learning and critical literacy”.

The project

The PhD project will investigate the longitudinal effects of interacting with Generative AI (GenAI) chatbots on the second language (L2) development of French learners, with a focus on vocabulary and pragmatics. While conversational AI is increasingly used as a language-learning partner, its actual longitudinal effects on L2 development — and the extent to which learners may also acquire AI-specific linguistic fingerprints — remain largely unexplored.

The project plans on following cohorts of L2 French learners, possibly in Hanoi, Vietnam, over one academic year. It will combine quasi-experimental studies on pragmatics and vocabulary learning and longitudinal corpus analysis of conversation logs.

The doctoral researcher will be part of an interdisciplinary consortium, including two other PhD students, a post-doctoral researcher and five academic supervisors, bringing together expertise from linguistics, second language acquisition, natural language processing, translation studies, and communication sciences to analyze how AI-generated language influences human language use and learning. The broader project aims to address two critical gaps in current research: first, the need to understand how GenAI-produced language may reshape human writing, language learning, and communicative practices; and second, the importance of fostering critical competencies to help users engage thoughtfully with AI-generated content. By addressing both the linguistic and educational dimensions of generative AI, the project seeks to promote critical AI literacy, mitigate the risks associated with uncritical reliance on GenAI tools, and foster a more informed, ethical, and reflective integration of these technologies into academic and public life.

Qualifications and expected profile

Required

  • Master’s degree in (Applied) Linguistics, Language Sciences, Romance Studies, Educational Sciences, NLP, or a closely related field
  • Excellent record of BA and MA level study
  • Excellent command of French (B2 minimum, C1 ideal) — the language of the empirical data
  • Excellent command of English (B2 minimum, C1 desired) — the language of publication and supervision
  • Strong analytical skills, scientific rigor, and intellectual curiosity
  • Autonomy, sense of teamwork, ability to listen and engage with colleagues across disciplines

Assets

  • Background or strong interest in second language acquisition and/or computer-assisted language learning
  • Familiarity with learner corpus research, quantitative methods, or experimental designs
  • Knowledge of R or Python for data analysis, or willingness to learn it quickly
  • Interest in generative AI and its educational applications
  • Willingness to travel (to academic conferences and possibly to Hanoi for data collection)

Conditions of engagement

  • The contract will initially be for two years, renewable up to a total of four years.
  • The candidate receives a doctoral fellowship grant (starting at approx. EUR 2,515 net per month).
  • The position requires residence in Belgium for the duration of the mandate.
  • Applicants from outside the EU are responsible for obtaining the necessary visa or permits, with the assistance of UCLouvain’s HR department.

Application

Application deadline: 7 August 2026

The application file (a single PDF) should include:

  • A one-page cover letter in English explaining your interest in this position and how you meet the requirements;
  • A curriculum vitae;
  • A one-page academic statement in French outlining your research interests, expectations and career goals;
  • Names and full contact details of two academic referees;
  • Copies of BA and MA diplomas and transcripts;
  • A copy of (or working links to) your master’s thesis and any academic publications (if applicable).

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to an interview (in person in Louvain-la-Neuve or via videoconference) between 17 and 21 August 2026.

Applications and inquiries should be sent by email to Prof. Serge Bibauw (serge.bibauw@uclouvain.be) and Prof. Magali Paquot (magali.paquot@uclouvain.be), with the subject line “SP3 PhD application — [Your name]”.