Job description

A position as research fellow is vacant at the Department of Teacher Education and School Research. The position will be part of the Science Education for Action and Engagement towards Sustainability (SEAS) project and involves interdisciplinary research in the intersection of science education, open schooling and education for sustainability.

Technological, socio-economic, and environmental changes are rapidly transforming our societies and posing new challenges that require new approaches to and innovation in science education. What new forms of scientific knowledge, literacies, and skills do students and citizens need to address these challenges? And what can the role of schools be in supporting the necessary transformation processes? SEAS is to develop tools and methods that facilitate collaboration where teachers and students can work together with out-of-school partners on solving sustainability challenges in their local communities through what we call "open schooling". SEAS is to coordinate and investigate collaboration among six open schooling networks across Europe, including Norway. The overall aims of SEAS are (1) identifying core principles and best practices required for creating and sustaining open schooling collaborations, and (2) promoting scientific literacies and skills necessary to engage in addressing real-life, complex sustainability challenges.

The research fellow is to work closely in the establishment and development of an open schooling collaboration network involving schools and out-of-school partners in the Oslo area. This includes participating in the collaborative design and implementation of the local network while also contributing to the research by studying the opportunities and challenges offered by the open schooling network with regard to learning and development of scientific agency and literacies. It is desirable that the successful candidate has experience with interdisciplinary school collaboration and inquiry-based teaching approaches. Good skills in Norwegian or another Scandinavian language are necessary. Good English language skills are also required.

More about the position

Positions as research fellows are fixed-term educational posts where the aim is that the research fellow completes a doctoral degree (PhD) during the period of employment. A prerequisite for employment is admission to the Faculty’s doctoral degree program, and the applicants’ formal qualifications for admission will therefore be assessed. The doctoral candidate is expected to participate actively in the organized research training and in the Faculty’s research community.

The appointment is made for a period of up to 4 years with 3 years devoted to research education. The position entails a compulsory workload of 25% that consists of teaching and supervision duties and research assistance.

We refer to the guidelines concerning appointment to PhD posts at the University of Oslo.

The Department of Teacher Education and School Research organizes four research groups. It is expected that the applicant is affiliated with the research group Challenges of Sustainability in Education Research (COSER).

Qualification requirements

Applicants must satisfy the requirements for admission to the Faculty’s PhD program. This normally includes:

• Successful completion of a Master’s degree program or similar higher education program relevant to the interdisciplinary intersection between science education, open schooling and sustainability education (for instance master in science education, social science education, pedagogy).
• The master’s degree (120 ECTS) must have a minimum grade B (ECTS grading scale) or equivalent. The Master’s degree must include a thesis of at least 30 ECTS.
• A 8 – 10 pages project description.
• Fluency in oral and written communication in a Scandinavian language and English.

In the assessment of applications, emphasis will be placed on:

• The quality of the project description; the description of the research topic, the specific problems to be studied, the choice of scientific theory and method, and the proposed implementation plan for the study.
• The applicant’s personal suitability and motivation for the post, including her/his ability to collaborate and to form part of a cross-disciplinary academic community.
• The applicant’s academic attitude and motivation with regard to completing the research training program.

We offer

• Salary NOK 479 600 - 523 200 per annum depending on qualifications in a position as PhD Research fellow, (position code 1017).
• A stimulating and atrractive working environment.
• Attractive welfare benefits and a generous pension agreement, in addition to Oslo’s family-friendly environment with its rich opportunities for culture and outdoor activities.

How to apply

The application must be submitted electronically and must include the following:

• Letter of application.
• Project description of 8-10 pages (cf. Guidance).
• Completed application form for admission to the doctoral degree programme (see this page).
• Certified copies of diplomas, grade transcripts and any other testimonials.
• In the event of diplomas from other countries: printouts of prospectuses or similar that describe the content and framework of the courses of study on which the application is based.
• Master’s thesis and any other academic works that may be of relevance to the application.

• CV that also includes an overview of any previously published academic/scientific works.

Applicants from outside the Nordic countries where English is not the official language must attach a TOEFL test with a minimum score of 550 unless they have a diploma from a university in an English-speaking country.

Incomplete applications will under normal circumstances not be assessed.

The application with attachments must be delivered in our electronic recruiting system, please follow the link “Apply for this job”. Foreign applicants are advised to attach an explanation of their University's grading system. Please note that all documents should be in English (or a Scandinavian language).

As a rule, interviews will be conducted as part of the appointment process. At the interview, the applicant will be asked to present original diplomas and grade transcripts from previous courses of study.

Further information on admission requirements and an application form can be found at this website.

Formal regulations

Please see the guidelines and regulations for appointments to Research Fellowships at the University of Oslo.

No one can be appointed for more than one PhD Research Fellowship period at the University of Oslo.

According to the Norwegian Freedom of Information Act (Offentleglova) information about the applicant may be included in the public applicant list, also in cases where the applicant has requested non-disclosure.

The appointment may be shortened/given a more limited scope within the framework of the applicable guidelines on account of any previous employment in academic positions.

The University of Oslo has an agreement for all employees, aiming to secure rights to research results etc.

Contact information

• Associate professor Alfredo Jornet
• Professor Erik Knain
• Head of Administration ILS Astrid Waaler Kaas

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