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PhD Research Fellow in educational sciences

Deadline: 15.09.2022

Universitetet i Oslo

The University of Oslo is Norway’s oldest and highest ranked educational and research institution, with 28 000 students and 7000 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 a permanent center.


The research is based on traditions from both the social and the human sciences, and the department thus accommodates great breadth in topics and perspectives. The department employs approximately 100 people; 49 scientific staff, 35 doctoral and post-doctoral students, and 20 administrative/technical staff. The number of students is approximately 900.

Job description

Applications are invited for two 4-year PhD Research Fellowship positions in educational sciences to be based at the Department of Education, University of Oslo. The research fellows will be affiliated with the research group “Living and Learning in the Digital Age” (LiDA). Participants in this research group investigate children and young people’s learning, use of technology and socialization in formal and informal learning contexts. Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-methods approaches are used in this research. More information about LiDA’s research projects and topics can be found on the research group’s website.For these two positions, applicants must prepare an independent project proposal related to either of the following areas: 1) "Platforming young people's everyday lives in formal and informal learning arenas". This position is connected the EU project PlatFAMs (Platforming Families –tracing digital transformations in everyday life across generations, 2022-2025). Applicants can contact Professor Ola Erstad for more information. Or 2) "Education and Social Change: Childhood and Youth Studies". Applicants can contact Professor Fengshu Liu for more information.

There is a need for continuous investigation into pupils, students, children and young people’s use of a variety of digital technologies in and outside of schools. Here we would like to point to the need to continue and further strengthen the agenda of how pupils’ and children’s life become mediated by digital technologies and platforms, and what the long-term consequences of such societal and institutional processes are. This allows us to foreground pupils’ and children’s agency and to take into account their experiences and lifeworlds as well as their learning in school.

Furthermore, we are looking for projects that focus on children and youth in contemporary societies undergoing rapid (and often unexpected) social transformation. As a research area, childhood and youth studies is relevant to the LIDA research group’s focus on digitalization, young people’s socialization, learning and identity construction. It also covers other major processes of social change, such as migration and new and emerging manifestations of social inequality.

While international applicants are certainly welcome, mastery of a Scandinavian language is desirable. We are seeking highly motivated and competent candidates who are willing and able to participate actively in the research community in the department and in the research group, as well as in the wider international research community.

More about the position

For each of the two PhD fellows, the fellowship period is up to 4 years, with 3 years devoted to research education. The position entails a compulsory work load of 25 % that consists of teaching and supervision duties and research assistance.

The research fellow must take part in the faculty’s approved PhD program and is expected to complete the project within the set fellowship period. The main purpose of the fellowship is research training leading to the successful completion of a PhD degree.

For more information, please see our web site about the PhD program.

Qualification requirements

Applicants must satisfy the requirements for admission to the Faculty´s PhD programme.

This normally includes:

  • Holding a master’s degree or equivalent in education or another relevant academic field (e.g., psychology, special education, media science, or applied linguistics).
  • A master’s degree (120 ECTS) with a minimum grade B (ECTS grading scale) or equivalent. The master’s degree must include a thesis of at least 30 ECTS, with a minium grade B.
  • Familiarity with the Norwegian school system.
  • Fluent oral and written communication skills in English and Norwegian (or another Scandinavian language).

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

  • The quality of the project proposal
  • The proposal’s alignment with the target area described above
  • The applicants’ academic and personal qualifications for completing the research training program
  • Personal suitability and motivation for the position
  • Ability to collaborate nationally and internationally

We offer

  • Salary NOK 501 200 – 544 400 per annum depending on qualifications in a position as PhD Research fellow, (position code 1017 )
  • 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 and research interests
  • A project description, including progress plan (8 - 10 pages). Please see our guidelines.
  • Completed application form for admission to the doctoral degree program (see this page)
  • CV (summarizing education, positions and academic work)
  • Copies of educational certificates (academic transcripts only)
  • Documentation of English proficiency (for information on required documentation, see information on this webpage)
  • Master thesis
  • A complete list of publications and academic works
  • List of reference persons: 2-3 references (name, relation to candidate, e-mail and phone number)

The application with attachments must be submittet 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).

When evaluating the application, emphasis will be given to the project description and the applicant’s academic and personal prerequisites to carry out the project. Applicants may be called in for an interview.

Incomplete applications will not be assessed.

Formal regulations

Please see the guidelines and regulations for appointments to Research Fellowships at the University of Oslo.

No one can be appointed for more than one PhD Research Fellowship 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 appointment may be shortened/given a more limited scope within the framework of the applicable guidelines on account of any previous employment in academic positions.

The University of Oslo has an agreement for all employees, aiming to secure rights to research results etc.

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 information

Apply for this job

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