About the position

Applicants are invited for a Postdoctoral Research Fellow (SKO 1352) attached to the to the Center for Interdisciplinary Education (INTED), Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences and the Department of Education (IPED), Faculty of Educational Sciences, University of Oslo.Through their research, the Postdoctoral Research Fellow is expected to contribute directly to INTED’s ongoing research projects which began in 2022 and will end in 2027. Starting date is no later than 01.02.2025.

The fellowship period is 3 years. A fourth year may be considered with a workload of 25 % that may consist of teaching, supervision duties, and/or research assistance. This is dependent upon the qualification of the applicant and the current needs of the department.

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

Postdoctoral Research fellows who are appointed for a period of four years are expected to acquire basic pedagogical competency in the course of their fellowship period within the duty component of 25 %.

Job description / Project description / Development plan:

Interdisciplinary education is important for addressing the world’s wicked problems, for breakthroughs in science and innovation, and to prepare students for tomorrow’s work life. INTED seeks to better our understanding of teaching and learning in interdisciplinary education at universities. Interdisciplinary competences include capabilities such as being able to collaborate, integrate and draw on knowledge from different disciplines, or translate knowledge or methods from one discipline for colleagues from another discipline. Based on INTED’s research, the group is developing educational recommendations to prepare students for further study or work in interdisciplinary contexts.

The Postdoctoral Research Fellow is expected to contribute to the development of recommendations on teaching and learning interdisciplinary competences, with their focus being on how to scale-up promising pedagogies, approaches, and institutional practices based on our research on individual programs to establish and institutionalize interdisciplinary education in research intensive universities.

The Postdoctoral Research Fellow will join research partners from four faculties at UiO (Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Humanities, Social Sciences, and Education). Applicants are expected to write a project description of 2-3 pages that offers detailed research plans to further INTED’s recommendations to scale-up teaching and learning of interdisciplinary competences (see the INTED website). The proposal must also include the applicant’s demonstrated interests, experience, or expertise as they relate to interdisciplinary programs and propose two or three ways to scale-up small but promising programs in higher education. The research proposed is open but must relate to concepts or methods INTED is currently using. 

The following are examples of research topics or questions:

• Different types of interdisciplinary competences
• What challenges do research intensive universities face when they try to scale-up small, effective interdisciplinary programs?
• How do interdisciplinary courses or programs (started at one university) fare when offered to other universities in a consortium, such as Circle U.?
• What roles do students, academics, administrators, universities, and employers play when interdisciplinary courses or programs are scaled up?

More about the position

The main purpose of a postdoctoral fellowship is to provide the candidates with enhanced skills to pursue a scientific top position within or beyond academia. To promote a strategic career path, all postdoctoral research fellows are required to submit a professional development plan no later than one month after commencement of the postdoctoral period.

Qualification requirements:

The Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences has a strategic ambition to be among Europe’s leading communities for research, education and innovation. Candidates for these fellowships will be selected in accordance with this, and expected to be in the upper segment of their class with respect to academic credentials.

• Applicants must hold a degree equivalent to a Norwegian doctoral degree in a field relevant to the INTED project. Doctoral dissertation must be submitted for evaluation by the closing date. Only applicants with an approved doctoral thesis and public defence are eligible for appointment.
• Demonstrated experience with interdisciplinary education, whether as a student in or teacher of (including being a learning assistant or supervisor) interdisciplinary courses 
• Demonstrated knowledge of theories and concepts related to scaling up programs in higher education
• Fluent oral and written communication skills in English

The following qualifications will count in the assessment of the applicants:

• The scholarly merit and relevance of the research proposal
• The track-record and potential to complete the proposed project within the time frame

Personal skills:

• Strong collaborative and communication skills
• High personal motivation for research and the development of innovative university pedagogy
• A commitment to work towards the research project’s common goals
• Ability to be focused and work independently

We offer:

• Salary NOK 575 400 – 657 300 per annum depending on qualifications in position as Postdoctoral Research Fellowship (position code 1352)
• Attractive welfare benefits and a generous pension agreement
• Professionally stimulating working environment
• Vibrant international academic environment
• Postdoctoral development programmes
• Oslo’s family-friendly surroundings with their rich opportunities for culture and outdoor activities

The application must include:

• Cover letter (statement of motivation, summarizing scientific work and research interest)
• CV (summarizing education, positions, pedagogical experience, administrative experience and other qualifying activity)
• Copies of educational certificates, academic transcript of records
• A project description, including a progress plan of 2–3 pages. Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact the project coordinator Helene Victoria Haynes or Professor Molly Sutphen for guidance in the preparation of their application.
•  Two academic works by the applicant which they consider to be of particular relevance to the INTED project
• Names and contact details of 2-3 references (name, relation to candidate, e-mail and telephone 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).

In assessing the applications, special emphasis will be placed on the documented, academic qualifications, as well as the candidates motivation and personal suitability. Interviews with the best qualified candidates will be arranged.

Formal regulations:

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

If an applicant has applied for and been granted funding for a fulltime research stay abroad while being employed as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow, the employment will be prolonged with the equivalent time as the research stay, but for no longer than of twelve months ( thus extending the employment to a maximum of four years)

According to the Norwegian Freedom and 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 University of Oslo has an agreement for all employees, aiming to secure rights to research results a.o.

Inclusion and diversity are a strength. The University of Oslo has a personnel policy objective of achieving a balanced gender composition. Furthermore, we want employees with diverse professional expertise, life experience and perspectives.

If there are qualified applicants with disabilities, employment gaps or immigrant background, we will invite at least one applicant from each of these categories to an interview.

Contact persons:

For further information about the position please contact:

•  Professor Molly Sutphen: m.p.sutphen@iped.uio.no or
• Helene Victoria Haynes: h.v.haynes@mn.uni.no 

For questions regarding the recruitment system, please contact HR Adviser Elin Thoresen, e-mail: elin.thoresen@mn.uio.no 

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