With about 16,500 students, Western Norway University of Applied Sciences (HVL) is one of the largest higher education institutions in Norway. A broad range of academic programmes are offered at Bachelor, Master and PhD levels, spread out on five campuses Førde, Sogndal, Bergen, Stord and Haugesund.

Our ambition is to build stronger and more solid academic and research environments that will interact nationally and internationally. The aim is to become a recognized actor on the international higher education arena. Increased international cooperation and engagement in externally funded projects will work towards this goal.

The Faculty of Education, Arts and Sports has four departments with staff in Bergen, Sogndal and Stord. This Faculty is one of the largest teachers training institutions in the country with around 6200 students and a staff of 550, offering kindergarten teacher training, primary and secondary school teacher training for Classes 1-7 and 5-10, practical pedagogical education and Bachelor’s, Master's and PhD programmes.

The Department of Sport, Diet and Natural Sciences has approximately 110 employees in Sogndal, Bergen and Stord. 

Disciplines in the department are sports, physical education, fitness, public health, outdoor life, science and food & health. The department is also responsible for the follow-up of the National Centre for Food, Health and Physical Activity. 

The department is responsible for several education programmes at bachelor level in the areas of sport, physical education, outdoor life and public health. There are also master degree programmes in sports science and physical activity and diet in a school environment. The department also provides teaching in its disciplines at all levels in kindergarten teacher education, practical-pedagogical education and at the primary and lower secondary school teacher training programmes, and also contributes to the faculty’s PhD programme Bildung and Pedagogical Practices. 

Staff at the department are involved in research and development work that is relevant to the activities at the faculty and they are active in academic networks both nationally and internationally. The department is also an important player regional and national by contributing to further education and competence development in schools, kindergartens, sport, outdoor life, the health and fitness industry, etc.

Western Norway University of Applied Sciences, Faculty of Education, Arts and Sports, Campus Bergen, has available one 2-year position (35%) as Senior Researcher.

Western Norway University of Applied Sciences, Faculty of Education, Arts and Sports, Campus Bergen, has available one 2-year position (35%) as Researcher to work in the Erasmus+ funded project “New European Bauhaus Label for VET” (VET – Vocational Education and Training).

The New European Bauhaus (NEB) initiative brings the benefits of the environmental transition to life through tangible experiences at the local level. It provides space for creation and experimentation based on: Aesthetics, quality of experience and style, beyond functionality; Sustainability, from climate goals to circularity, zero pollution and biodiversity; Inclusion, from valuing diversity and equality for all to ensuring accessibility and affordability.

The Period of employment is from September 2024 until 31.10.2026. 

Main duties and responsibilities:

The position is open to candidates with research and work experience focused on innovation policy and educational quality criteria development. The ideal candidate will have knowledge of VET, the European R&I landscape and transdisciplinary concepts such as NEB or STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics).

The position plays a key role in the task of mapping and developing criteria for a NEB VET Label, one of the main achievements of the project. In addition to developing the NEB VET Label criteria, the successful candidate will be part of a versatile team in the subsequent development of the related assessment framework for actors in the European VET landscape. They will also contribute to the creation of digital tools and to the other work packages and tasks.

The ideal candidate will be able to work in a diverse international consortium and liaise closely with other partners for the successful delivery of the project. The successful candidate will be expected to work independently and assume a leadership role in their tasks, demonstrating an entrepreneurial work ethic. The research group, "SAAFE - Science, Art and Argumentation for future-making education", will provide the local academic environment. This position does not involve teaching responsibilities.

Qualification requirements:

We welcome candidates who have obtained a PhD degree in innovation studies (with a focus on intersectoral relations) or educational sciences. A foundation in education policy or higher education policy for career skills development and a knowledge of career skills evaluation and monitoring are also mandatory. Previous experience of working in an intercultural and multidisciplinary team and good proficiency in English, written and oral is expected in addition.

The following qualifications will be particularly valued:

• Excellent skills in multi-stakeholder communication and hybrid formats of stakeholder interaction
• Previous experience in the conduction of collaborative projects, e.g. funded under Erasmus + or Horizon Europe
• Excellent academic writing skills

Personal characteristics:

• Confidence in working independently
• Interpersonal skills and taste for teamwork and team building
• Creativity
• Critical thinking
• Excellent communication skills

Application procedure:

Applicants are asked to submit their application and CV online. Please use the link “Apply for this job” (“Søk stillingen”).

Applicants are strongly encouraged to respond to the job description in their application letter.

The following documentation must be uploaded as an attachment to the online application:

• CV including a comprehensive list of academic publications and contributions to EU-funded projects.
• Diplomas and certificates 
• Documents related to other achievements relevant to the position
• The names of two contacts who are willing to act as reference

Applications cannot be sent by e-mail or to individuals at Western Norway University of Applied Sciences.

Suitable candidates will be invited to an interview.

We offer:

• Exciting and stimulating work as part of a strong international academic environment
• An open and inclusive work environment with dedicated colleagues
• Favourable terms in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund
• Employee benefits

The position as Senior Researchers is paid according to the Government's salary regulation, in position code 1109 - Forsker (Senior Researcher).

There is a compulsory 2 % deduction to the pension fund (see http://www.spk.no/en for more information). The successful applicant must comply with the guidelines that apply to the position at any time.

General information:

The appointment will be made in accordance with the regulations for State employees Law in Norway ("Lov om statens ansate”). Organizational changes and changes in the duties and responsibilities associated with the position must be expected.

State employment shall reflect the multiplicity of the population at large to the highest possible degree. Western Norway University of Applied Sciences Bergen has therefore adopted a personnel policy objective to ensure that we achieve a balanced age and gender composition and the recruitment of persons of various ethnic backgrounds.

Information about the applicant may be made public even though the applicant has requested not to be named in the list of applicants. The applicant will be notified if his/her request is not respected. Applicants may be called in for an interview.

Contacts:

1) Head of Department Frode Fretland, Email: frode.fretland@hvl.no

2) Professor Lydia Schulze Heuling, Email: lshe@hvl.no, Telephone: +47 55 58 57 30

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