Job description

Applications are invited for a 4 year position in a Research Fellowship as a PhD Candidate in the subject area of education law to be based at the Department of Teacher Education and School Research (ILS), University of Oslo.

Due to the growing tendency of juridification in and of education, the Faculty of Educational Sciences and the Faculty of Law have initiated a joint effort to establish education law as an interdisciplinary field of research and teaching at the University of Oslo. The announced position is related to this ongoing work, and the successful candidate will be expected to contribute to sustaining, developing and strengthening the interdisciplinary research and teaching on processes of juridification and legal regulation in and of education.

In addition, it is expected that the successful candidate is affiliated with the research group “Curriculum Studies, Leadership and Educational Governance” (CLEG). More information about research topics covered by CLEG can be found on the research group’s website. We invite applicants to formulate their own project within the foci of this research group. Possible themes of legal and educational relevance could include, but are not limited to:

• Recent changes in the Education Act and increased focus on student rights;
• The governing of the education sector through legal mechanisms (e.g. school inspection);
• The Curriculum Renewal (’Fagfornyelsen’) and the function of curriculum as regulation;
• Migration, drop-out and challenges for students at risk in upper-secondary education;
• Bullying and violence in schools.

The announced position is open to a variety of methodological approaches and provides the opportunity to pursue comparative studies as well as discussions of the philosophical foundations and major structural features of education systems.

More about the position

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, see the website.

The doctoral candidate is expected to participate actively in the organized research training and in the Faculty's research community.

Qualification requirements

• Applicants must satisfy the requirements for admission to the Faculty’s PhD program
• Applicants must hold a Master’s degree or equivalent qualifications in education, pedagogy or other relevant discipline in social sciences (e.g. law, sociology, political science)
• The master’s degree (120 ECTS) must have a minimum grade B (ECTS grading scale) or equivalent. It must include a thesis of at least 30 ECTS with a minimum grade B
• Oral and written communication skills in Norwegian or another Scandinavian language as well as in English
• Project relevance to education law as an interdisciplinary field of research and teaching
• Familiarity with the Norwegian or other Scandinavian school system will be considered an advantage

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

• The quality of the project description, the description of the research topic’s relevance to educational issues, the specific problems to be studied, the choice of scientific theory and method, and the proposed implementation plan for the study
• The applicant’s experience, personal suitability and motivation for the post, including her/his ability to collaborate and to form part of a cross-disciplinary academic community
• The applicant’s academic attitude and motivation with regard to completing the research training program

We offer

• Salary NOK 491 200 – 534 400 per annum depending on qualifications in a position as PhD Research fellow, (position code 1017)
• A stimulating and attractive working environment.
• Pension arrangements in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund
• 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, describing the applicant’s qualifications and motivation for the position
• Project description, 8-10 pages. Please see our guidelines
• Completed application form for admission to the doctoral degree program (see this page)
• Curriculum Vitae (with a list of education, positions, teaching experience, administrative experience, and other qualifying activities, including a complete list of any previously published academic/scientific works)
• Copies of educational certificates (academic transcripts only). In the event of diplomas from other countries: printouts of prospectuses or similar that describe the content and framework of the courses of study on which the application is based
• Master thesis and any other academic work s that may be of relevance to the application
• List of reference persons: 2 references (name, relation to candidate, e-mail and phone number)

Incomplete applications will not be assessed.

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).

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.

Short-listed candidates will be invited for an interview.

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

• Associate professor Judit Novak
• Head of Department/professor Dijana Tiplic

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