Job description

A position is vacant at the Department of Teacher Education and School Research. The position will be affiliated with the research project Comparing language use across contexts (LANGUAGES) funded by the Norwegian Research Council (2021–2025).

LANGUAGES involves interdisciplinary research in English and French, across three countries. LANGUAGES aims to investigate students’ language proficiency and classroom language instruction in Norway, France and the UK over time, within and across the school subjects English and French. The LANGUAGES research team comprises researchers at the University of Oslo, University of Bergen, École normale supérieure de Lyon, University of Exeter and University of Oxford. LANGUAGES will collect large-scale data (language tests, videos and surveys) and case study data (video-stimulated interviews and student texts) in secondary schools (age 14–15).

The position is a 50% position for a period of up to 2,5 years, and will comprise research-related tasks (e.g., data collection and analysis).

We invite interested applicants to an information meeting on 1 July 2021 at the University of Oslo. In the meeting, further information will be given about the LANGUAGES project, the available data, and the methods of analysis used in the project. Please register your participation HERE. You can also contact associate professor/project manager Lisbeth M. Brevik, l.m.brevik@ils.uio.no

More about the position

We ask for candidates that are interested in different theoretical approaches, frameworks and methodologies. The candidates will participate in data collection of language test data, classroom video data, student surveys and interviews from all three countries. The comparative subjects in focus will be English and French language education.

The researcher will work closely with the LANGUAGES team in the data collection, analysis and dissemination of findings, across languages and contexts. Experience with school research, classroom observation and use of observation protocols (e.g., PLATO), language tests, interviews, questionnaires, video- and/or audio-based research approaches will be an advantage. In addition, we welcome candidates with experience in coding of video data, and/or experience with quantitative analysis. Good oral and written communication skills in Norwegian or another Scandinavian language are necessary. Communication skills in English and French are also required. Formal competence in both school subjects will also be an advantage.

Qualification requirements

• As Researcher (position code 1108) a Master’s degree in English/English didactics or French/French didactics, educational sciences, language arts or other relevant fields is required. The master’s degree (120 ECTS) must include a thesis of at least 30 ECTS
• As Researcher (position code 1109) a PhD degree in English/English didactics or French/French didactics, educational sciences, language arts or other relevant fields is required
• Familiarity with the Norwegian/Scandinavian school system will be considered an advantage
• Oral and written communication skills in Norwegian or another Scandinavian language as well as in English and French
• Familiarity with data collection and analysis; preferably, classroom research, video observation, observation protocols (e.g., PLATO), language tests and/or questionnaires

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

• The applicant’s formal qualifications, academic profile and research experience
• The applicant’s personal suitability and motivation for the post, including her/his ability to collaborate and to form part of a crossdisciplinary academic community

We offer

• Salary NOK 594 300 - 677 600 per annum depending on qualifications in a position as Researcher (position code 1109)
• Salary NOK 491 200 - 583 500 per annum depending on qualifications in a position as Researcher (position code 1108)
• A stimulating and attractive 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 include:

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

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.

Formal regulations

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

Following the Freedom of Information Act (Offentleglova) § 25, Chapter 2, information about the applicant may be used in the public list of applicants even if the applicant opts out from the entry in the public application list.

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

The University of Oslo aims to achieve a balanced gender composition in the workforce and to recruit people with ethnic minority backgrounds.

Contact information

• Associate professor/project manager Lisbeth M. Brevik
• Professor Eva Thue Vold

Apply for this job