Ledig stilling på Universitetet i Oslo

Blindern og Urbygningen (Foto: Wikimedia og Colourbox)

Postdoctoral Fellow related to the Trends in Mathematics and Science Study - TIMSS

Deadline: 07.05.2023

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 Teacher Education and School Research (ILS) is one of three departments at The Faculty of Educational Sciences at the University of Oslo, which also has a permanent center.

ILS is a leading institution in the fields of subject didactics, school leadership and practice-relevant school research. It hosts Norway's first Centre of Excellence in Education, ProTed – a joint project between the University of Oslo and the University of Tromsø.


EKVA (Unit for quantitative analysis in education) is also part of the department, as well as four interfaculty research groups (CLEG, TEPEC, SISCO and LEA).

The Department enrols 400 students in the Teacher Education Programme (PPU) and administers the university’s Graduate Teacher Education Programme (Lektorprogrammet) with about 300 new students each year. About 200 students follow the Master Programme in Educational Leadership. ILS also manages the study programme Teach First Norway in cooperation with the City of Oslo Education Agency and Equinor.

The Department of Teacher Education and School Research has approximately 40 administrative and 100 academic staff.

Job description

Applicants are invited to apply for a three-year position as Postdoctoral Fellow linked to the international large-scale assessment Trends in Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) at the Department of Teacher Education and School Research, University of Oslo. Starting date no later than October 1, 2023.

TIMSS is a worldwide research study monitoring 4th and 8th grade students’ competence in mathematics and science. The study also collects extensive background information on school and home contexts that may affect learning and teaching. The survey is carried out every fourth year – the next survey takes place in 2023. The TIMSS project is linked to the Unit for Quantitative Analyses in Education (EKVA) at the Department of Teacher Education and School Research, University of Oslo. EKVA also has the national responsibility for several other similar large-scale national and international studies.

More about the position

The appointment is a fulltime position and is made for a period of 3 years, 10% of which is devoted to required duties at the Department.

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

We seek highly motivated candidates interested in using TIMSS data for secondary analysis of school-, teacher- and/or student-level factors in the Nordic region, applying advanced quantitative methods (for example, measurement invariance, latent variable modelling and/or hierarchical modelling).

Applicants are expected to adjust their research proposal with the goal, methodology and overall design of the TIMSS project, see website.

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

The place of work for this position is Oslo.

Qualification requirements

  • Applicants must hold a degree equivalent to a Norwegian doctoral degree in education/psychology/social sciences with a thesis applying advanced quantitative methods. Doctoral dissertation must be submitted for evaluation by the closing date. Appointment is dependent on the public defence of the doctoral thesis being approved.
  • A publication record within the field
  • Experience in processing/analyzing data from large-scale surveys
  • A project description containing a plan for high-quality research related to the TIMSS project
  • Fluent oral and written communication skills in English

In addition to the requirements listed above, candidates with experience from comparative analysis across countries, good oral and written communication skills in a Scandinavian language, teaching and/or dissemination experience will be preferred.

In evaluating the qualified candidates, the full range of these criteria will be assessed. Emphasis will be placed on the quality of the research proposal and its relevance to the TIMSS project, the applicant’s academic and personal qualifications, personal suitability and motivation for the position, and willingness to collaborate with other team members.

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
  • The possibility to become part of a unit and research group highly experienced in running and analyzing large-scale studies.
  • 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)
  • Project description, including progress plan (max. 4-5 pages)
  • CV (summarizing education, positions, pedagogical experience, administrative experience and other qualifying activity)
  • Copy of PhD certificate or documentation of PhD dissertation submission. Applicants who have not yet defended their PhD dissertation need to include confirmation from their supervisor about when the degree is to be completed.
  • Copies of educational certificates (academic transcripts only)
  • A complete list of publications
  • 2-3 numbers of academic works that the applicant wishes to be considered
  • List of 2-3 references including name, relation to candidate and contact information

Incomplete applications will not be considered.

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).

It is expected that the successful candidate will be able to complete the project in the course of the period of employment.

Interviews with the best qualified candidates will be arranged

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

Apply for position

Powered by Labrador CMS