working with me

Thank you for your interest in working with me! I’m always excited to hear from prospective students and collaborators. This page provides information about opportunities to join my research group.

🎓 prospective PhD students

I recruit PhD students through the Department of Linguistics at the University of Pittsburgh. Check the Linguistics department website for current deadlines. Apply to the PhD in Linguistics with a computational linguistics focus and indicate in your application materials that you’re interested in working with me.

🔬 postdoctoral researchers

I’m open to hosting postdoctoral researchers who share research interests with my group. While I don’t currently have advertised positions, if there’s a strong fit, I’m happy to explore funding opportunities together, including joint fellowship applications.

interested postdocs: Please email me with your CV, a brief description of your research interests, and how they align with my work. If you’re interested in applying for external funding together, reach out at least 6-12 months before your desired start date.

🎒 Master’s students

Master’s students in Linguistics or related programs at Pitt (e.g. CS, ISP) are welcome to discuss potential research opportunities. I typically work with master’s students who:

  • have taken at least one course with me and demonstrated strong performance
  • have prior research experience or relevant technical skills

If you’re considering a Master’s thesis, please reach out early in your program so we can plan appropriately.

👥 undergraduate students

I welcome Pitt undergraduate students to get involved in research! The best way to start is to:

  1. take one of my courses to learn about the research topics and methods
  2. take upon a research proejct via Directed Research
  3. reach out via email to discuss specific opportunities

💬 research collaborators & visitors

I’m always open to collaborations with researchers who share overlapping interests. If you’re interested in collaboration or visiting, feel free to reach out with a brief description of potential projects.

✉️ getting in touch

Email: jal787 [@] pitt [dot] edu

When reaching out, please include:

  • a brief introduction of your background and interests
  • how your interests align with my research
  • your CV or relevant experience

Note on response time: Due to the volume of messages I may not be able to respond to all emails individually, especially during application seasons. If you’re applying to the PhD program, the best way to ensure I see your application is to mention my name in your application. I review all applications that express interest in working with me.