Job description

Applications are invited for a 3-4 year position as PhD Fellow in educational psychology to be based at the Department of Psychology, University of Oslo.

The PhD fellow will work within the project Question Asking and Storytelling as Means to Increase Mathematics Interest in Teacher Education, funded by the Finnut-program of the Norwegian Research Council and is responsible for the implementation of the subproject storytelling. There will also be room to implement own ideas.

The project is led by Professor Rolf Reber from the Department of Psychology of the University of Oslo in collaboration with teacher education departments at OsloMet, Østfold University College, the Western Norway University of Applied Sciences (Sogndal), and University of Oslo. The PhD-researcher will work at the Department of Psychology at the University of Oslo.

The project description can be downloaded here. Within the subproject, the doctoral fellow will plan, conduct, and analyse experimental interventions to increase interest in mathematics education at the tertiary level. The studies are run at the teacher education institutions and analysed using regression-based statistics. Some assistance can be provided for data collection.

More about the position

The appointment is a fulltime position and is made for a period of three to four years. A 4th year can be considered with the addition of 25 % teaching requirement, depending on the competence of the applicant, and the needs of the Department.

Qualification requirements

• Applicants must hold a two-year master degree or equivalent degree in psychology, education (especially mathematics education), or social sciences with a thesis applying quantitative methods or master in quantitative methods/psychometrics/statistics, preferably applied to problems in educational psychology. The grade of the master thesis (minimum 30 ECTS) must be minimum grade B.
• Plans for high-quality research within the project, as evidenced by the one- to three-page proposal to implement the project
• Knowledge of experimental design and statistical methods is required
• Publications, conference participation and experience as research assistant, especially within interest and motivation, question asking, or storytelling are an advantage
• Teaching experience is an advantage
• Personal suitability and willingness to collaborate with academics from diverse backgroundsFluent oral and written communication skills in English are required
• Working knowledge of a Scandinavian language, preferably Norwegian, is required.

In the evaluation of the qualified candidates the full range of these criteria will be assessed. An educational background and research experience related to educational psychology and mathematics education are an advantage. However, applicants with a background from other fields are also welcome.

We offer

• salary NOK 449 400 – 505 800 per annum depending on qualifications in position as PhD Fellow (position code 1017)
• The possibility to attend conferences, courses and workshop
• a professionally stimulating working environment
• attractive welfare benefits
• generous pension agreement

How to apply

The application must include

• cover letter (statement of motivation, summarizing scientific work and research interest)
• An outline on how to implement the project, including own ideas (1 to 3 pages); the project description can be found here
• CV (summarizing education, positions, pedagogical experience, administrative experience and other qualifying activity)
• copies of educational certificates (academic transcripts only)
• a complete list of publications
• up to three publications 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 project description, 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.

Formal regulations

Please see the guidelines and regulations for appointments to Research Fellowships at the University of Oslo.

According to the Norwegian Freedom and 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 appointment may be shortened/given a more limited scope within the framework of the applicable guidelines on account of any previous employment in academic positions.

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

• Principal Investigator: Rolf Reber, e-mail: rolf.reber@psykologi.uio.no (contact via e-mail preferred)
• Head of Office: Birgitte Bøgh-Olsen, +47-22845104, e-mail: Birgitte.bogh-olsen@psykologi.uio.no

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