Job description

Applications are invited for a 3 year position as Postdoctoral Fellow in language, reading and math development to be based at the Department of Education, University of Oslo.

The position is connected to a project funded by the research council Norway,” Development of numeracy and literacy: Influence from cognitive skills, social background and gender”. Principal Investigator Professor Arne Lervåg. The work is related to working on, monitoring and developing publications from an ongoing longitudinal study about children’s numeracy and literacy development. In addition, the candidate will be responsible for conducting randomized controlled experiments to test theories concerning the relationship between language and numeracy skills.

More about the position

The appointment is a fulltime position and is made for a period three years, 10 % of which is devoted to required duties, usually in the form of teaching and examination.

The main purpose of the fellowship is to qualify researchers for work in higher academic positions within their disciplines.

Qualification requirements

• Applicants must hold a degree equivalent to a Norwegian doctoral degree in psychology or education. 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 Norwegian are required

The following qualifications will count in the assessment of the applicants: The candidate has to have knowledge about the development of language and reading skills. It is also an advantage if the candidate has knowledge and experience with topics that goes broader than language and reading skills such as mathematical/cognitive development. The candidate needs to have experience in conducting randomized controlled trials and knowledge concerning statistical analyses of such trials.

Personal skills

• The candidate needs to be motivated and engaged, and able to work independent but also have good collaborative skills. The candidate needs to work in Norway, and also to engage in the activities at the department.

We offer

• Salary NOK 523 200 – 605 500 per annum depending on qualifications in position as Postdoctoral Research Fellow (position code 1352)
• A professionally stimulating international 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

• Cover letter (statement of motivation, summarizing scientific work and research interest, as well as professional fit in line with the project outline)
• CV (summarizing education, positions, pedagogical experience, administrative experience and other qualifying activity)
• Copies of educational certificates (academic transcripts only)
• A complete list of publications
• Academic works that the applicant wishes to be considered
• 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. 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, the project description (whenever this is required in the call for applicants), and the quality of the project as well as the candidates 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 in the course of the period of employment.

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: Arne Lervåg, phone number: 0047 22 84 47 01, e-mail: a.o.lervag@iped.uio.no
• Professor: Monica Melby-Lervåg, phone number: 0047 22 85 81 38, e-mail: monica.melby.lervag@isp.uio.no

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