Job description

Two positions as postdoctoral fellows are vacant at the Department of Teacher Education and School Research. The positions will be affiliated with the research project “Synthesizing Research on Teaching Quality” (SYNTEQ) funded by the Norwegian Research Council. The project is also closely connected to the research in the Nordic Centre of Excellence Quality in Nordic Teaching (QUINT) funded by NordForsk. The positions are available from the 1st of April 2021.

SYNTEQ will build upon the comprehensive data collection generated from the comparative classroom video data and student perception surveys from all the Nordic countries based on the Linking Instruction and Student Achievement (LISA) research design (see https://www.uv.uio.no/ils/english/research/projects/lisa/index.html), as well as other similar data collected across the Nordic countries through the Nordic Center of Excellence (NCoE) QUINT Quality in Nordic Teaching.

The goal of SYNTEQ is to identify the key elements that are crucial for studying teaching quality and to reframe research on teaching quality. The project will be developing an integrative methodological platform for video studies of classroom practices, including the validation of different approaches, frameworks and instruments. SYNTEQ proposes a model of programmatic research stages that will produce added value to extant research on teaching quality by strengthening (1) the integration of qualitative and quantitative video data / student surveys, (2) the reuse of video data in secondary analyses / syntheses and collaborative research, thereby creating (3) new potentials for conceptual validation, instrument development of observation manuals, and (4) comparative studies and theory development.

We ask for candidates that are interested in different theoretical approaches, frameworks and methodologies when analyzing teaching quality (as well as synthesizing mechanisms across the different frameworks). The candidate(s) will have access to comparative classroom video data and student surveys from all Nordic countries (large scale data sets in Sweden and Norway and small scale datasets from Iceland, Denmark and Finland) based on the “Linking Instruction and Student Achievement (LISA) design. The comparative subjects in focus will be Mathematics, Language Art and Social Science education.

We therefore ask for candidates with expertise in measuring teaching quality or any of the listed subject areas.

Applicants are expected to fit their proposed research project with the goal, methodology and overall design of the SYNTEQ project.

We seek highly motivated individuals who appreciate working in a Nordic/ international and cross-disciplinary working environment targeted towards analyzing teaching and learning in classrooms.

The successful candidates will be expected to participate actively in the SYNTEQ project, QUINT Nordic Center of Excellence, relevant networks and research groups.

More about the position

One of the positions is for a period of three years with a 10% of working time devoted to required duties, usually in the form of teaching activities. The second position is for a period of two years. When applying, applicants are asked to specify whether they are interested in any of the positions, or in a position with a specific duration.

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 PhD degree or a degree equivalent to a Norwegian PhD in educational sciences, subject didactics (mathematics, language arts, social science education) and/or measurement/psychometrics
• Fluent oral and written communication skills in English
• Knowledge of one of the Scandinavian languages
• The proposed research project should be closely connected to the SYNTEQ project

In the assessment of applications, emphasis will be given to:

• The quality of the project description
• The proposed project’s relevance for the SYNTEQ project’s methodology, design and ambition, as well as synergy effects for QUINT Nordic Center of Excellence
• 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 cross-disciplinary academic community

We offer

• Salary NOK 526 000 – 608 200 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 wide Nordic / international network
• 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

• Letter of application with an expression of interest and a specification of how the proposed project connects to SYNTEQ
• CV with grades listed
• List of publications
• Certified copies of diplomas
• Project description, including progress plan (8-10 pages). It is assumed that the applicant will be able to complete the project in the course of the period of employment
• Up to three academic works that must be taken into account in the assessment.

The application with attachments must be delivered in our electronic recruiting system Jobbnorge. 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).

Applicants from outside the Nordic countries where English is not the official language must attach a TOEFL test with a minimum score of 550 unless they have a diploma from a university in an English-speaking country.

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.

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

• SYNTEQ Project manager/QUINT Center Director Kirsti Klette
• QUINT Adminstrative Leader Katerina Houben

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