Potdoctoral Research Fellow in Children's learning and development
Deadline: 19.04.2026
Publisert
The University of Oslo is Norway’s oldest and highest ranked educational and research institution, with 26 500 students and 7 200 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 which also has two permanent centers.
The research is based on traditions from both the social and the human sciences, the department thus accommodates great breadth in topics and perspectives. The department employs approximately 90 people; 40 scientific staff, 30 doctoral and post-doctoral students, and 20 administrative/technical staff. The number of students is approximately 700.
Job desciption
Applicants are invited for a three-or four-year position as Postdoctoral Fellow in children’s language development in Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) settings to be based at the Department of Education, University of Oslo.
The Oslo Early Education Study was conducted as a researcher–sector partnership aimed at developing, implementing, and evaluating an intervention designed to strengthen multiethnic ECEC centers in supporting young children’s language development and enhancing collaboration with parents. This randomized controlled trial was conducted over a period of three years and was led by Principal Investigators Veslemøy Rydland and Ratib Lekhal. For more information, see the project website.
The data collection has now been completed, and a rich dataset is available on approximately 900 children across more than 200 ECEC classrooms. The dataset includes detailed measures of teacherchild interactions, child developmental outcomes, and indicators of ECEC–home collaboration, with follow-up data extending into the children’s transition to first grade.
We are now seeking a Postdoctoral Fellow who will contribute to the analysis and publication of data that has not yet been fully utilized within the project. Applicants shall develop independent and relevant research ideas within the scope of the project and articulate these in a project description (see more information below). The Postdoctoral Fellow will collaborate closely with the project group and is expected to build and maintain productive relationships with ECEC leaders and teachers.
Applicants should demonstrate strong motivation and relevant qualifications to participate in all stages of the research process—from data preparation and analysis to the dissemination of high‑quality scientific publications. In addition, we are particularly interested in candidates with documented experience in data management and processing, with specific emphasis on transcription and the analysis of interaction data. Most importantly, we especially encourage applicants who wish to investigate implementation processes and the longitudinal implications of the intervention for children’s language outcomes. In our assessment of applicants, we will emphasize experience with longitudinal analyses, knowledge about the Norwegian education system and the relevance of the applicants’ prior research for the Oslo Early Education Study.
More about the position
The appointment is a fulltime position for a period of three or four years. In a four-year position 25% of the time is devoted to teaching duties, usually in the form of teaching activities at the department. The main purpose of the fellowship is to build a research profile and competence that qualifies the postdoctoral fellow to apply for a position as associate professor within their disciplines. The position may also provide other competence with relevance for the postdoctoral fellow's further career. Please see the guidelines concerning appointment to post-doctoral and research positions at the University of Oslo.If the Postdoctoral Fellow does not already have educational qualifications that meet the requirements for an associate professor position, UiO shall facilitate the acquisition of such competence during the employment period. A career plan shall be developed for the Postdoctoral Fellow, specifying the competencies the Postdoctoral Fellow should acquire. UiO is responsible for following up on the career plan and ensuring that the Postdoctoral Fellow has access to career guidance throughout the postdoctoral term.
Qualification requirements
Applicants must hold a degree equivalent to a Norwegian doctoral degree in Education, Psychology, or another relevant field. Doctoral dissertation must be submitted for evaluation by the closing date. Appointment is dependent on the public defense of the doctoral thesis being approved
Fluent oral and written communication skills in English and Norwegian or one of the other Scandinavian languages
Relevant experience conducting research on children’s language development in ECEC settings.
Applicants must demonstrate a solid understanding of how the Oslo Early Education Study data can be utilized and outline a research plan with clear potential for generating high‑quality scientific publications.
Personal skills
Strong collaborative and communication skills
A commitment to work towards the project’s common goals
Ability to work focused and independently
We need different perspectives in our work
UiO is an open and internationally oriented comprehensive university that strives to be an inclusive and diverse workplace and academic environment. You can read more about UiO’s work on equality, inclusion, and diversity at uio.no.
We fulfill our mission most effectively when we draw upon our variety of experiences, backgrounds, and perspectives. We are looking for great colleagues—could you be the next one?
We will do our best to accommodate your needs. Relevant adjustments may include modifications to working hours, task adaptations, digital, technical, or physical adjustments, or other practical measures.
We especially encourage men to apply.
If you have an immigrant background, a disability, or CV gaps, we encourage you to indicate this in the job application portal. We always invite at least one qualified candidate from each group for an interview. In this context, disability is defined as an applicant who identifies as having a disability that requires workplace or employment-related accommodations. For more details about the requirements, please refer to the Employer portal (Norwegian).
The selections made in the job application portal are used for anonymized statistics that all state employers include in their annual reports.More information about gender equality initiatives at UiO can be found here.
We hope you will apply for the position with us.
We offer
Exciting and meaningful tasks in an organization with an important societal mission, contributing to knowledge development, education, and enlightenment that promote sustainable, fair, and knowledge-based societal development.
A workplace with good development and career opportunities.
Membership in the Statens Pensjonskasse, which is one of Norway's best pension schemes with beneficial mortgages and good insurance schemes.
Salary in position as Postdoctoral Fellow, position code 1352 in salary range from NOK 595.000 – to NOK 670.000 per annum -, depending on competence and experience. From the salary, 2 percent is deducted in statutory contributions to the State Pension Fund.
Read more about the benefits of working in the public sector at Employer Portal.
How to apply
Your application should include:
cover letter that includes statement of motivation, summarizes scientific work and offers a brief outline of the applicant's research interest within the project (based on the information provided on the project's website, max 2.pages). Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact PI Veslemøy Rydland for guidance in the preparation of their application
a project description of 5–6 pages, including a progress plan, which should outline 3–4 scientific papers based on data from the Oslo Early Education Study
CV (summarizing education, positions, pedagogical experience, administrative experience and other qualifying activity)
copy of PhD Diploma or documentation of thesis submission. Applicants who have not yet defended their PhD dissertation need to include an advisor’s letter confirming specific expectations about when the degree will be received
copies of educational certificates (academic transcripts only)
a complete list of publications
academic works that the applicant wishes to be considered
a 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 Jobbnorge. 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).
Incomplete applications will not be assessed.
In assessing the applications, special emphasis will be placed on the documented, academic qualifications, the project description, and the quality of the project as well as the candidate’s motivation and personal suitability. Interviews with the best qualified candidates will be arranged.
It is expected that the successful candidate will be able to complete the project during the period of employment.
General information
The best qualified candidates will invited for interviews.
Applicant lists can be published in accordance with Norwegian Freedom of Information Act § 25. When you apply for a position with us, your name will appear on the public applicant list. It is possible to request to be excluded from this list. You must justify why you want an exemption from publication and we will then decide whether we can grant your request. If we cannot, you will hear from us.
