Job description

A position as post-doctoral fellow (SKO 1352 is vacant at the Department of Teacher Education and School Research). The position will be part of the Science Education for Action and Engagement towards Sustainability (SEAS) project and involves interdisciplinary research in the intersection of science education, open schooling and education for sustainability.

The appointment is a full time position and is made for a period of three years (10% of which is devoted to required duties, usually in the form of teaching activities or corresponding tasks).

Technological, socio-economic, and environmental changes are rapidly transforming our societies and posing new challenges that require new approaches to and innovation in science education. What new forms of scientific knowledge, literacies, and skills do students and citizens need to address these challenges? And what can the role of schools be in supporting the necessary transformation processes? SEAS is to develop tools and methods that facilitate collaboration where teachers and students can work together with out-of-school partners on solving sustainability challenges in their local communities through what we call "open schooling". SEAS is to coordinate and investigate collaboration among six open schooling networks across Europe, including Norway. The overall aims of SEAS are (1) identifying core principles and best practices required for creating and sustaining open schooling collaborations, and (2) promoting scientific literacies and skills necessary to engage in addressing real-life, complex sustainability challenges.

The post-doctoral fellow is to participate in the collaborative design and research activities in the SEAS project, with a particular focus on the opportunities and challenges that emerge at the interface of the school and the out of the school. He or she is expected to take part in the analysis needed to conceptualize agency and literacies for sustainable citizenship, as well as in contributing to develop models of best practices for open schooling. It is desirable that the successful candidate has experience from interdisciplinary school collaboration and inquiry-based teaching approaches. Fluency in oral and written communication in a Scandinavian language and English are also required.

More about the position

Applicants are expected to prepare a project proposal that can be positioned within the SEAS project. The Department of Teacher Education and School Research organizes four research groups. It is expected that the applicant is affiliated with the research group Challenges of Sustainability in Education Research (COSER).

A budget and progress plan for the project should be included in the application. Prior to sending their application, interested applicants are advised to contact project leader; professor Erik Knain, or associate professor Alfredo Jornet.

The main objective of appointment to the position of post-doctoral fellow is to qualify researchers for work in top academic positions within their respective area of study.

We seek highly motivated and competent candidates who are willing and able to participate actively in the research community at the department. The successful candidate will be expected to publish articles in recognized international journals.

The guidelines concerning appointment to post-doctoral and research fellowship positions at the University of Oslo can be viewed here.

Qualification requirements

The appointment requires a PhD or a degree equivalent to a Norwegian PhD in a relevant field, for instance for in science education, social science education, or pedagogy. A prerequisite for applicants who have not yet defended their thesis is that the PhD work is submitted for assessment before the closing date for applications. Appointment to the post-doctoral position is dependent on the public defence of the doctoral thesis being approved.

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

• The quality of the project description
• The project’s alignment with the fields of research in SEAS
• The applicants’ publications and academic and personal qualifications for conducting the project
• Personal suitability and motivation for the post
• Good ability to collaborate nationally (in Norwegian or another Scandinavian language) and internationally and to contribute to the advancement of knowledge in the area
• Fluency in oral and written communication in Scandinavian language and English

We offer

• Salary NOK 523 200-605 500 per annum depending on qualifications in position as Postdoctoral Research Fellow (position code 1352)
• A positive and stimulating working environment
• A position in an inclusive working life enterprise
• 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
• List of publications
• Certified copies of diplomas and testimonials
• Project description, including progress plan and budget (max. 10 pages). It is assumed that the applicant will be able to complete the project in the course of the period of employment
• Any academic works that must be taken into account in the assessment (up to 10 academic works)

The application must be written in a Scandinavian language.

The application with attachments must be delivered in our electronic recruiting system. 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 general rule interviews will form part of the appointment process.

Formal regulations

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

No one can be appointed for more than one Postdoctoral Fellow 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 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

• Professor Erik Knain
• Associate Professor Alfredo Jornet

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