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Amarens Jonker

@amarensjonker

Message

NLU-focused computational linguist building Dutch/Portuguese NLU/NLG and speech models.

Portugal

Message

What I'm looking for

I’m looking for an agile team where I can build and fine-tune NLU/NLG models and speech (TTS/STT) for real-world multilingual language use, using strong linguistic data work and practical engineering to ship reliable voice experiences.

I’m an NLU Developer and Computational Linguist focused on language data generation, annotation, and evaluation for the Dutch and Portuguese market. At eMagine (Audi, Porsche), I developed and fine-tuned NLU/NLG models and worked on speech technologies including Text-to-Speech (TTS) and Speech-to-Text (STT).

I also implemented and tested speech and dialog functionality within the Amarens dialog system, translating linguistic goals into working model and product features. My work emphasizes real-world language use, language variation, and strong data foundations for reliable NLU outcomes.

In 2024, I worked as a Jonker NLG Developer and Computational Linguist, building grammars and lexical resources for machine learning systems in automotive applications. I’m comfortable combining linguistic principles with engineering—programming in Python and deploying ML pipelines with tools like PyTorch, TensorFlow, and Kaldi—to deliver robust language understanding and voice experiences.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

NLU Developer & Linguist

eMagine

Jul 2022 - Aug 2023 (1 year 1 month)

Developed and fine-tuned NLU/NLG models for the Dutch and Portuguese market using generation, translation, collection, and annotation of language data. Implemented and tested speech capabilities (TTS/STT) and contributed to the Amarens dialog system.

NLU NLG Language Data Annotation Text to Speech (TTS)Model Fine Tuning JSGF

Jonker NLG Developer

Cerence

Jan 2024 - Present (2 years 5 months)

Built grammars and lexical resources grounded in real-world language variation for machine technology in automotive use cases. Applied NLG to support training of embedded or cloud machine learning models for NLU.

NLG NLU Grammar Engineering JSGF Agile Development Git

Education

Degrees, certifications, and relevant coursework

Rijksuniversiteit Groningen

Master of Science, Voice Technology

2021 - 2022

MSc in Voice Technology (2021–2022), with a thesis on low-resource ASR for Frisian (Provincie Fryslân). Developed skills in digital speech processing and deep learning for speech recognition and synthesis.

Universitat Pompeu Fabra

Master of Arts, Theoretical and Applied Linguistics

2020 - 2021

MA in Theoretical and Applied Linguistics (2020–2021), with a focus on computational semantics and NLP. Gained experience with grammar formalisms and corpus-linguistics tools such as SketchEngine.