Job description

Applicants are invited for a four-year position as Postdoctoral Fellow in Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) quality and children’s language development to be based at the Department of Education, University of Oslo.

The Oslo Early Education Study is based on a researcher–sector partnership to develop, implement, and assess the effects of an intervention aimed at preparing multiethnic ECEC centers to utilize their potential to support children’s language development and collaborate with the parents. This randomized controlled intervention study is financed by the Program for childhood and education (Områdesatsingen – Delprogram oppvekst og utdanning) in Oslo municipality and the Research Council of Norway. Veslemøy Rydland and Ratib Lekhal are the PIs of the project. For more information see this link.

We welcome applicants who are able to demonstrate motivation and qualifications to participate in the different stages of research from the data collection to the dissemination of research findings. The Postdoctoral Fellow is expected to collaborate with the project group as well as leaders and teachers in ECEC centers and schools.

We have recruited about 900 target children (aged 1 to 4 years old) across more than 200 preschool classrooms in the overall study. The assessment of intervention effects will focus on the quality of caretaker–child interactions and child outcomes. We seek applicants who are interested in investigating the ECEC-home collaboration and/or the longitudinal implications of the intervention for child outcomes (when they transition to school).

In our assessment of applicants, we will emphasize experience with longitudinal analyses of large datasets, 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 and is made for a period of up to four years, 25 % of which is devoted to required duties, usually in the form of teaching activities.

Postdoctoral fellows who are appointed for a period of four years are expected to acquire basic pedagogical competency in the course of their fellowship period within the duty component of 25 %.

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 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 a scandinavian language).

The following qualifications will count in the assessment of the applicants:

• The scholarly merit and relevance of prior research
• The track-record and potential to complete the proposed project within the time frame

Personal skills

• Strong collaborative and communication skills
• High personal motivation for research
• A commitment to work towards the project’s common goals
• Ability to work focused and independently

We offer

• salary NOK 534.600 – 615.800 per annum depending on qualifications in position as Postdoctoral Research Fellow (position code 1352)
• a professionally stimulating 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 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 one of the PIs for guidance in the preparation of their application
• 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
• 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 quality of prior research 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 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.

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

• Professor Veslemøy Rydland
• Associate professor Ratib Lekhal

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