Job description

A permanent position as Professor (position code/SKO 1013) or Associate Professor (position code/SKO 1011) is available at The Department of Special Needs Education, Faculty of Educational Sciences within the field of counselling and practices in Special Needs Education

The Department of Special Needs Education at the University of Oslo is one of the three departments at the Faculty of Educational Sciences. The department focuses on basic and applied research and education of bachelor-, master- and doctoral level candidates within the field of special needs education in Norway.

About the position

The successful candidate should have research experience and research interest both within in counselling in special needs education and within special needs education in general. Counselling in special needs education includes the entire process of giving qualified help to children and adults with special needs, from establishing rapport, conducting assessment/evaluation, intervention development and consultation to the individuals involved, their families/parents, preschools and schools, and different stakeholders in the sector of education and related areas (health, social welfare and child protective services).

The position includes teaching and research focus on the systems perspective within special needs education, such as the relation between preschools, schools, educational psychology services, mental health services, and habilitation/rehabilitation services offering services to children and adults with special educational needs.

The position will involve participation in the planning of study programs, teaching, supervision and examinations-related tasks at all levels from Bachelor’s to PhD level, and maintenance and development of the educational quality of the teaching programs the selected candidate participates in or is given responsibility for.

It is expected that the successful applicant will promote the development of the subject areas through research, publication of academic work nationally and internationally, and participation in national and international networks.

It is expected that the successful applicant will participate actively in one of the faculty’s research groups.

A prerequisite for performing the tasks associated with this position is good written and oral communication skills in English and Norwegian (or another Scandinavian language). Applicants who do not master a Scandinavian language at the time of appointment will be given a deadline of two years to acquire Norwegian at the level of proficiency required for teaching, supervision and examination work.

Qualification requirements

For Associate Professor:

• Doctoral degree or equivalent qualifications within the subject area counselling and practices in Special Needs Education
• Documented basic university pedagogical competence. Applicants who cannot document basic university pedagogical competence must acquire this within two years from appointment
• Documentation of qualifications in dissemination, management and administration will count positively

For Professor:

• Substantial academic production in excess of that which is required for a doctoral degree within the subject area counselling and practices in Special Needs Education
• Prolonged research activity with an independent research profile
• Documented basic university pedagogical competence
• Broad experience in the development and implementation of teaching, supervision and work with educational quality
• Good qualifications in dissemination and/or management and administration

Personal qualities

Emphasis will be placed on the applicant’s experience and scientific excellence. In the ranking of competent applicant, the whole range of qualifications will be considered, including the applicant’s ability to communicate and personal suitability.

We offer

• Salary from NOK 605 500 to NOK 704 900 per annum depending on competencies, in the position of Associate Professor (position code 1011)
• Salary from NOK 723 200 to NOK 883 100 per annum depending on competencies, in the position of Professor (position code 1013)
• Good pension schemes and welfare benefits
• A professionally stimulating working environment
• Applicants employed as Associate Professor will have the opportunity to apply for promotion to a position as Professor at a later date

How to apply

The application must include:

• Application letter (statement of motivation, summarizing scientific work and research interest)
• CV
• Complete list of publications
• Educational portfolio of 3-6 pages documenting educational competence and experience, including a reflection note in which your own practice and learning vision is anchored in the SoTL criteria (focus on student learning, development over time, a research approach and a collegial attitude and practice. For guidance, see this page)
• Description of qualifications in dissemination, management and administration
• Academic works: Applicants for position as professor are requested to submit up to 15 academic works. Applicants for position as associate professor are requested to submit up to 10 academic works
• Diplomas
• References: a list of 2-3 persons with name, title, email and phone number

The application with all required attachments must be submitted via our online recruitment system. Please note that all documentation must be in English or a Scandinavian language.

Interviews and trial lecture will form part of the appointment process. The entire breadth of qualifications will be assessed when ranking applicants.

Formal regulations

Please refer to the Rules for Appointments to Professorships and Associate Professorships at the University of Oslo, the Guide for Applicants and Members of the Assessment Committee and Rules for practicing the requirement for basic pedagogical competence at the University of Oslo.

Pursuant to section 25(2) of the Freedom of Information Act, information concerning the applicant may be made public, even if the applicant has requested not to appear on the list of applicants.

The University of Oslo has a transfer agreement with all employees that is intended to secure the rights to all research results etc.

The University of Oslo has a personnel policy objective of achieving a balanced gender composition and to recruit people with an immigrant background. Alternatively: Women are encouraged to apply.

In addition, the University of Oslo aims for its employees to reflect the diversity of the population to the greatest degree possible. We therefore encourage qualified applicants with disabilities or gaps in their CV to apply for the position. The University of Oslo will adapt the workplace to suit employees with disabilities. Applicants who indicate that they have disabilities or gaps in their CV are made aware that this information may be used for statistical purposes.

Contact information

• Professor/Head of Department Ona Bø Wie
• Associate Professor Melanie Kirmess

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