Research Assistant – Syntax and Language Processing Job Vacancy in UAE Abdu Dhabi
The Sprouse Laboratory in the Program in Psychology at New York University Abu Dhabi (NYUAD) is seeking a dedicated Research Assistant to contribute to a project on the syntactic structure of Egyptian Arabic. This position offers an opportunity to work on the grammar and processing of long-distance dependencies in Egyptian Arabic, combining linguistic analysis with experimental research.
Job Location: Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Job Industry: Higher Education & Research
Job Function: Research & Development
Salary: Competitive
Gender: Any
Key Responsibilities:
- Collaborate with the Principal Investigator to design experiments and develop language materials
- Recruit and engage with participants who are native speakers of Egyptian Arabic
- Conduct experimental research and analyze linguistic data
- Prepare research findings for publications and presentations
- Perform administrative tasks related to the project and assist in lab operations
Required Skills and Experience:
Education:
- A BA in Psychology from NYU Abu Dhabi
Experience:
- Completion of PSYCH-UH 2218 (Language Science) and PSYCH-UH 3612EQ (Lab in Language Science)
- Prior training and experience with the MEG machine
- Strong background in experimental research and syntactic analysis
Skills:
- Native or near-native proficiency in Egyptian Arabic
- Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities
- Excellent research and data analysis skills
- Ability to work both independently and as part of a research team
What We Offer:
- Highly competitive salary and housing allowance
- Research funding for travel and professional development
- Educational subsidies for children
- Access to NYUAD’s state-of-the-art language research and cognitive science facilities
Application Process:
Interested applicants must submit a résumé or curriculum vitae in PDF format via Interfolio.
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.
For inquiries, please contact Prof. Jon Sprouse at jon.sprouse

About the Company
NYU Abu Dhabi (NYUAD) is a globally recognized research university offering an integrated liberal arts and science education. As part of New York University’s global network, NYUAD fosters international collaboration and interdisciplinary research across diverse academic fields. Located at the crossroads of the Arab world, NYUAD is committed to advancing knowledge and innovation, providing faculty and students with exceptional resources and opportunities for transformative research and scholarship.
UAE Nationals are encouraged to apply.