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Research Fellow HEDWORK

Deadline: 09.02.2021

Universitetet i Oslo

The University of Oslo is Norway’s oldest and highest ranked educational and research institution, with 28 000 students and 7000 employees. With its broad range of academic disciplines and internationally recognised research communities, UiO is an important contributor to society.

The Department of Education was established in 1938 and is one of three departments at The Faculty of Educational Sciences.

The research is based on traditions from both the social and the human sciences, and the department thus accommodates great breadth in topics and perspectives. The department employs approximately 100 people; 49 scientific staff, 35 doctoral and post-doctoral students, and 16 administrative/technical staff. The number of students is approximately 900.

Job description

Applications are invited for a four-year position as PhD Research Fellow attached to the research group “Knowledge, Learning and Governance in Higher Education and Work “ (HEDWORK) at the Department of Education, Faculty of Educational Sciences, University of Oslo.

The HEDWORK research group investigates the dynamic interplay between knowledge, learning and governance in higher education and in knowledge-intensive work. The group comprises researchers with different interdisciplinary backgrounds and offers an internationally oriented and stimulating research environment. More information about research topics and projects covered by HEDWORK can be found on the research group’s website.

Part of the research group is affiliated with LINK – Centre for Learning, Innovation and Academic Development, and the PhD project is expected to contribute to the joint interest of HEDWORK and LINK in promoting a better understanding of student learning in complex learning environments, wherein digital technologies play an important role.

The empirical settings/contexts of the PhD project will be linked to the work of two Centers of Excellence in Education at University of Oslo; Cell – Centre for Experimental Legal Learning and SHE – Centre for Sustainable Healthcare Education. Both of these centers are piloting novel forms of student learning embedded in digital learning environments where the pedagogical ambition is to stimulate activity, engagement and collaboration among students, which blends critical thinking, technical and practical competences in subjects and knowledge areas. Such efforts can contribute to advancing our methodological approaches for researching student development and competencies in these areas.

The PhD project should contribute to a better understanding of the mechanisms and conditions affecting these learning outcomes with a particular focus on the preparation of students for decision-making in complex digital environments.

Examples of topics we are interested to include, but are not limited to:

  • How values are integrated with medical evidence and legal sources by students in their professional-related decision-making.
  • The role of technology and the transformation of expertise for the global future and understanding of ethical challenges.
  • Student learning and development in formal digital learning environments, in which the aim is to develop content knowledge and social skills.
  • Management of complexity in practical situations whereby medical and legal professionals are confronted with different and conflicting types of factual, evidentiary and formal sources.
  • Evidencing how new forms of knowledge and power dynamics affect student learning in the professions.

There is no requirement that the PhD project adopt a particular theoretical perspective or empirical methods but the research design should be appropriate for addressing the relevant research questions.

More about the position

The fellowship period is 4 years, with 3 years devoted to research education. The position entails a compulsory work load of 25 % that consists of teaching and supervision duties and research assistance.

The research fellow must take part in the Faculty’s approved PhD program and is expected to complete the project within the set fellowship period. The main purpose of the fellowship is research training leading to the successful completion of a PhD degree.

Qualification requirements

  • applicants must hold a Master’s degree or equivalent in education or another field with relevance to higher education research (e.g., educational sciences, educational psychology, social or behavioral sciences, educational technology). 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
  • documented experience with research within the educational field, preferably learning sciences, educational psychology, technology-enhanced learning
  • fluent oral and written communication skills in English
  • fluency in/knowledge of the Norwegian/Scandinavian languages is an advantage, as is knowledge/experience with studies of learning in digital environments and advanced knowledge in higher education studies.

In the assessment of applications, emphasis will be put on the quality and relevance of the project proposal.

Personal skills

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

  • the applicants’ academic and personal qualifications for completing the research training program
  • personal suitability and motivation for the position
  • good ability to collaborate across different disciplinary contexts

We offer

  • salary NOK 482 200 – 526 000 per annum depending on qualifications in a position as PhD Research fellow, (position code 1017)
  • 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 include

  • cover letter statement of motivation and research interest
  • CV (summarizing education, positions and academic work)
  • project description (8-10 pages cf. guidance)
  • copies of educational certificates (academic transcripts only)
  • a complete list of publications and academic works
  • list of reference persons: 2-3 references (name, relation to candidate, e-mail and phone number)

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).

When evaluating the application, emphasis will be given to the project description and the applicant’s academic and personal prerequisites to carry out the project. Applicants may be called in for an interview.

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

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