Job description

Applicants are invited for a two year position as Postdoctoral Fellow linked to the research project “Professional Actors’ Work to Retain Students in Secondary Education (ProAct) ” at the Departement of Teacher Educational and School Research, funded by the Norwegian Research Council.

ProAct holds considerable potential for extensive scientific and societal impact in terms of generating knowledge on promising practices to retain students in upper secondary education in Norway and thereby decrease dropout rates. Generally, this work involves a collaboration among multiple actors that includes a range of actors: teachers, leaders on national, county, municipal and school levels; representatives from the Follow-up Service (Oppfølgingstjenesten), the Pedagogical-Psychological Service (PPT) and the Child Care Service (barnevern); police, other public services (e.g. social service, health service), etc. Since these actors come from multiple levels of the education system and represent different institutions and professions, their translation and understanding of problems will vary, as well as their way of handling problems regarding student dropout.

ProAct aims to identify promising practices to retain students in secondary education. It is designed to demonstrate promising practices of multiple actors by identifying: 1) characteristics of professional work within and across levels, institutions and professions; and 2) conditions which are the most likely to increase the retention of students in upper secondary education and with what consequences. Thus, the project will contribute to the existing knowledge base in this field including implications for research, policy and practice. The project applies theoretical perspectives and empirical methodologies that capture the complex interrelationships between formal educational policies, regulations, knowledge domains, and digitalisation.

More about the position

The appointment is a fulltime position and is made for a period of two years.

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

Applicants are expected to fit their research project with the goal, methodology and overall design of the ProAct-project, see Professional Actors’ Work to Retain Students in Secondary Education (ProAct)

We seek highly motivated individuals who appreciate working in a multi-disciplinary working environment targeted towards generating robust knowledge on how to prevent dropout and increase the retention of students. Examples of key areas are professional work across institutions (e.g. levels in the school system) and various professions (please see the first section in this advertisement for examples), transitions between school types, the role of digitalisation etc.

The successful candidate will be expected to participate actively in the ProAct-project, relevant national and international research groups, and networks.

Qualification requirements

• Applicants must hold a degree equivalent to a Norwegian doctoral degree in educational sciences or social sciences. Doctoral dissertation must be submitted for evaluation by the closing date. Appointment is dependent on the public defence of the doctoral thesis being approved
• Fluent oral and written communication skills in English and a Scandinavian language
• The candidate´s research project should be closely connected to the ProAct-project

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

• The quality of the project description
• The project’s relevance for the ProAct-project’s methodology, design and ambition.
• The applicants’ academic and personal qualifications for conducting the project
• Personal suitability and motivation for the position
• Good ability to collaborate and to form part of a multi-disciplinary academic community

We offer

• Salary NOK 553 500 – 626 300 per annum depending on qualifications in position as Postdoctoral Research Fellow (position code 1352)
• A professionally stimulating working environment
• A unique possibility to become a part of a national, multi-disciplinary research collaboration and develop an international network through dissemination activities
• 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 with an expression of interest and a specification of how the proposed project connects to ProAct
• Project description, including progress plan (8-10- pages)
• 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 adviser´s letter confirming specific expectations when the degree will be received
• Up to three academic work that must be taken into account in the assessment
• 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.

The application can be written in one of the Scandinavian languages or English.

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.

Short-listed candidates will be invited to an interview.

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

• ProAct Project Leader Guri Skedsmo, e-mail guri.skedsmo@ils.uio.no

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