Computational Linguist & Quantitative Researcher
Dallas–Fort Worth, TX (US) · cjackson692@gmail.com
Hi, I am a Computational Linguist & Quantitative researcher with four years in paid academic roles applying probabilistic modeling, ML, and neural methods to language-change research and coding-focused LLM fine-tuning. I am currently seeking positions in NLP and quantitative research applying statistical modeling, machine learning, and AI to better understand our world.
One paper currently in review (Neural network error analysis in Early Germanic); three accepted international conference presentations (GLAC 2024, GLAC 2025, Protolang 9).
Education
Master of Science in Computational Linguistics
University of North Texas, Denton, TX - May 2026 · GPA 4.0
University of North Texas, Denton, TX - Aug 2021 - May 2025 · GPA 4.0 · Summa Cum Laude · President’s List
Concentration: Human Language Technology
Bachelor of Arts in Linguistics
University of North Texas, Denton, TX - Aug 2021 - May 2025 · GPA 4.0 · Summa Cum Laude · President’s List · Distinguished Honors Award · Honors Thesis
Concentration: Computational Linguistics
Employment History
Research Assistant
University of North Texas, EVoAI Lab (Department of Linguistics), Denton, TX - June 2023 - Present
- Contribute to the NSF-funded NeuraRec project (PI: Dr. Frederik Hartmann), developing novel neural-network frameworks for the reconstruction of historical language data
- Implement models using Hierarchical Bayesian Inference, Machine Learning, Natural Language Processing, Deep Learning, and other computational methods
- Conduct data processing and computational modeling for studies of diachronic semantic change, language evolution, and geographical-phonological complexity
- Build computational models for rigorous research workflows using Python and R
Forensic Linguistics Consultant
Freelance - Mar 2026 - Present
- Conducted review of written materials in an AI-attribution academic-integrity case
- Extracted and analyzed document metadata
- Compiled formal reporting on modern detection algorithms
- Conducted comparative analysis of content and error patterns across multiple written language samples
AI Trainer - Coding, STEM, ML
DataAnnotation Tech, Denton, TX - June 2025 - Present
- Contributed to fine-tuning multiple LLMs on coding and STEM topics, producing measurable improvements in response accuracy
- Created and maintained Python codebases to support AI training workflows, improving training pipeline reliability
- Evaluated model outputs using fine-grained rubrics and provided targeted corrections that increased model alignment and quality
Teaching Assistant
University of North Texas, Department of Linguistics, Denton, TX - Aug 2023 - May 2026
- Assisted in instructing students on basic and advanced linguistic modeling techniques in NLP across multiple courses
- Assisted in instructing general linguistics classes in pop linguistics and sociolinguistics to undergraduate students
- Provided in- and out-of-classroom instruction on Bayesian probabilistic models, agent-based models, inferential modeling techniques, and machine-learning techniques including Neural Networks
- Managed assignments and provided assessments of student work for undergraduate through PhD audiences
See Teaching for a full course breakdown.
Student Assistant Team Lead
University of North Texas Libraries, Denton, TX - Sep 2022 - May 2023
- Led a team responsible for organizing and maintaining library resources including physical and digital reference materials
- Trained new employees in library processes
- Tracked patron interaction data using SQL database
- Received and ingested new library materials
- Received Outstanding Student Assistant Award (Spring 2023)
Research Publications
- Smith, C. (submitted, in review). Neural network error analysis for understanding language change: Analyzing the distribution of syntactic categories in Early Germanic. — see GermanicPOS repo
Conference Presentations
- Smith, C. & Hartmann, F. (September 2025). Using Neural Networks for part-of-speech analysis to investigate syntactic evolution and change. Protolang 9, Vienna, Austria.
- Smith, C. (May 2025). Expanding Neural Part-of-Speech Analysis in Historical Germanic. Germanic Linguistics Annual Conference 31 (GLAC 31), Denton, TX.
- Smith, C. & Hartmann, F. (April 2024). Neural Part-of-Speech Analysis in Historical Germanic. Germanic Linguistics Annual Conference 30 (GLAC 30), Bloomington, IN.
- Smith, C. & Beeler, A. (November 2023). Using Information-Theoretic Metrics to Compare Natural and Constructed Language. DFW Metroplex Linguistic Conference, Dallas, TX.
- Beeler, A. & Smith, C. (November 2023). Computational Information Theory Applied to Constructed Languages. Poster, UNT College of Information 15th Anniversary Celebration, Denton, TX.
- Smith, C. (April 2022). Accessing Roviana Language Data Through Computation. UNT Scholars Day 2022, Denton, TX.
See Research & Projects for full project descriptions and supporting code.
Skills
Languages & Tools - Python, PyTorch, R, SQL, Pandas, NumPy, scikit-learn, NLTK, Excel, Tableau, LaTeX, Markdown, Regex, Git
Statistics & Machine Learning - Statistical Modelling, Bayesian Statistics, Machine Learning, Deep Learning, Neural Networks, Bi-LSTM, Transformers, Data Mining, Data Visualization, Feature Engineering, Data Management, Time-Series Analysis, Clustering, Classification, Association-Rule Mining
NLP & Linguistics - NLP, POS Tagging, Sequence Modeling, Information-Theoretic Analysis, Corpus Construction, Syntactic Annotation, IPA, Syntax
Languages
- English - Native
- Mandarin - Novice
- Spanish - Novice
I have also worked on research projects featuring Old Norse, Old English, Gothic, Old Icelandic, Old High German, Roviana, Burushaski, Icelandic, and Mandarin.
Recognitions, Honors, and Awards
- TGS Robert B. Toulouse Scholarship (Fall 2025 & Spring 2026)
- Distinguished Honors Award - University of North Texas
- National Merit Scholar Award and Full Tuition Scholarship (2021–2025)
- UNT National Merit Donor Fund Scholarship (2021–2025)
- Featured Undergraduate Research on North Texas TV Broadcast (2024)
- Featured Undergraduate Research by UNT Department of Research and Innovation (2024)
- UNT SGA Raupe Undergraduate Travel Grant (2024)
- UNT President’s List Award for GPA (2021–2025)
- Outstanding Student Assistant Award (Spring 2023)
Organization Memberships
- Student Linguistic Association of North Texas
- University of North Texas Honors College (Aug 2021 – May 2025)
Other Interests
Language Evolution · Constructed Languages · Crossword Puzzles · Hiking · Poetry · Improvisational Storytelling
References
Please ask me directly via email, and I would be happy to provide references!