Job description

Applications are invited for a 3-year Postdoctoral Research Fellow position in pedagogy / STEM, to be involved in developing and researching geoscience education at the iEarth Centre of Excellence in Education. iEarth was established in 2020 as a collaboration between the Departments of Geosciences at University of Oslo, University of Bergen, University of Tromsø and the University centre in Svalbard (UNIS). Read more on iEarth.no.

This is an opportunity to join a new research group being established under the umbrella of iEarth. The research group includes 5 visiting professors, 5 PhD students, and one post-doctoral fellow (postdoc; this advertisement), along with geoscience staff. The iEarth research group includes colleagues from across the four iEarth Norwegian institutions, with visiting professors from the UK, Sweden and Germany. The group works primarily on students as partners practices; digital tools for teaching in the field; bridging maths, physics and geoscience in geoscience education; and cultures for teaching and learning. This post-doc will be located at the Department of Geosciences, Oslo University and is focused specifically on changes in STEM education.

No one can be appointed for more than one Postdoctoral Fellow period at the University of Oslo.

More about the position

iEarth initiates and supports geoscience education development among staff and students. The ambition is to strengthen a collegial and research-based culture for teaching and learning. This involves making teaching a collaborative enterprise by including students as partners and pedagogical decision-makers and ensuring pedagogy is informed by and contributing to the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL). The main objectives of the advertised position are to do research on and to contribute to supporting this cultural change. Specific research topics will depend on the interests of the successful applicant. The research can take a qualitative and/or quantitative approach in describing and exploring cultural change, applying theoretical frameworks that may include for example communities of practice and social network analysis.

The ideal candidate would have an interest in and experience of educational development through cultural change. She or he is also familiar with quantitative as well as qualitative research methods and can contribute to educational development in the context of geosciences.

The main purpose of a postdoctoral fellowship is to provide the candidates with enhanced skills to pursue a scientific top position within or beyond academia. To promote a strategic career path, all postdoctoral research fellows are required to submit a professional development plan no later than one month after commencement of the postdoctoral period.

Qualification requirements

The Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences has a strategic ambition is to be among Europe’s leading communities for research, education and innovation. Candidates for these fellowships will be selected in accordance with this, and are expected to be in the upper segment of their class with respect to academic credentials.

Applications are encouraged from dedicated candidates with excellent writing skills and the ability to work in a highly team-orientated environment.

Required qualification:

• Applicants must hold a PhD degree or equivalent education in STEM science educational development/pedagogy, or geoscience/Earth System Science. Doctoral dissertation must be submitted for evaluation by the closing date. Only applicants with an approved doctoral thesis and public defense are eligible for appointment.
• Fluent oral and written communication skills in English are required

Desired qualification:

• Experience from geoscience/STEM science education is an advantage.
• Teaching and advisor experience is an advantage.
• Knowledge of a Scandinavian language is an advantage.

Personal skills

• We are looking for a motivated and creative candidate with good communication skills who can work independently and in a structured manner
• Good collaborative skills are essential as the candidate will work in close collaboration with staff and students

We offer

• salary NOK 526 000 – 608 200 per annum depending on qualifications in position as Postdoctoral Research Fellow (position code 1352)
• Attractive welfare benefits and a generous pension agreement
• Professionally stimulating working environment
• Vibrant international academic environment
• Postdoctoral development programmes
• Oslo’s family-friendly surroundings with their 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)
• A research interests statement
• CV (summarizing education, positions and academic work, and other qualifying activity)
• Copies of educational certificates and academic transcript
• A complete list of publications and up to 5 academic works that the applicant wishes to be considered by the evaluation committee
• Names and contact details of 2-3 references (name, relation to candidate, e-mail and telephone number)

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).

In assessing the applications, special emphasis will be placed on the documented academic qualifications, as well as the candidates’ motivation and personal suitability. 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.

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

The University of Oslo aims to achieve a balanced gender composition in the workforce and to recruit people with ethnic minority backgrounds.

Contact information

For further information please contact:

• Associate professor Anders Mattias Lundmark, phone: +47 22856686 or +4793003214, e-mail: a.m.lundmark@geo.uio.no

For question regarding the recruitment system, please contact Senior Adviser Torunn Standal Guttormsen, t.s.guttormsen@mn.uio.no.

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