Teacher effectiveness with longitudinal large-scale assessment data and video observations

Job description

Applications are invited for a position as a Postdoctoral fellow (SKO 1352) at the Department of Teacher Education and School Research (ILS) at the University of Oslo.

The position involves collecting and analyzing data from the project “Teachers’ Effects on Student Outcomes TESO” funded by the FINNUT-program of the Research Council of Norway. The objective of this project is to examine the effect of teacher quality and their instruction on student motivation, well-being, and learning gains in mathematics and science.

The appointment is a full-time position and is for a period of three years (10% of which is devoted to required duties, usually in the form of teaching activities).

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

More about the position

The project TESO is a Norwegian longitudinal extension of the international large-scale survey Trends in Mathematics and Science Study TIMSS.

TESO is to collect quantitative data through contextual questionnaires to students, teachers, and principals, and tests in mathematics and science at two time-points (Spring 2019 and Spring 2020) of a representative sample at the national level. In addition, TESO is also to collect data through video-observations of classrooms in a representative sample from Oslo (autumn 2019).

Seeing how the nature of the data is both quantitative and qualitative, the successful candidate may choose between quantitative, qualitative or a mixed methods approach.

The successful candidate is expected to contribute to the area of teacher effectiveness, including relations between teacher quality, their instruction and student outcomes. Furthermore, the candidate is expected to take part in the project through data collection and analyses, and in reporting the results in international scientific journals together with senior researchers.

The Department of Teacher Education and School Research organizes four research groups. It is expected that the applicant is affiliated with the research group Large-scale Educational Assessment (LEA)

Qualification requirements

Only candidates who have submitted their doctoral thesis prior to the application closing date may apply for the position. A prerequisite for taking up the position is the successful completion of a doctoral degree.

By the time of appointment the applicants must have:

• A PhD or equivalent in education (e.g. pedagogy or mathematics education) or other social and behavioral sciences (e.g., educational psychology) or in a related field. A topic of the PhD related to teachers’ competence and/or instruction in mathematics or science is considered an advantage.
• Fluent oral and written communication skills in English
• Suitability and motivation for the position

In addition, the following qualifications will count in the assessment of the applicants:

• Knowledge about assessment in general, and especially about international large-scale assessment
• Experience with the assessment of teachers’ and/or students’ competences
• Experience with analyzing data with statistical software such as SPSS, Mplus or R or software to analyze videos such as NVivo
• Plans for high-quality research within the project, as evidenced by a required project description (maximum 8 – 10 pages)
• Experience with working in schools and/or with teachers
• Applicants must have the capacity for independent academic work at a high level, preferably documented through publications in high quality journals
• Other qualifications that meet the objectives of this position

When evaluating the application, emphasis will be given to the applicant’s academic and personal prerequisites, and to the project description.

We offer

• Salary NOK 515 200 – 597 400 per annum depending on qualifications in position as Postdoctoral Research Fellow (position code 1352)
• A stimulating and attractive working environment
• Professional support through the research group LEA
• Collaboration with researchers within Norway and internationally
• 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

• Application letter describing the applicants qualifications and motivation for the position
• A project description (max. 8 – 10 pages) containing an outline of potential research questions the applicant is interested in investigating within the aims of the project; the theoretical background (with key references) behind these choices; and potential methods to be applied, and information about the applicant’s experience with these methods
• CV (summarizing education, positions Teaching Experience, administrative experience and other qualifying activities)
• Copies of educational certificates (academic transcripts only)
• A complete list of publications and academic works
• Up to five academic works that the applicant wishes to have considered in the assessment process
• List of reference persons: 2-3 references (e.g. Master’s thesis supervisor) (name, relation to candidate, e-mail and phone number)

Incomplete applications will under normal circumstances not be assessed. As a rule, interviews will be conducted as part of the appointment process.

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 (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.

Formal regulations

Please see the guidelines and regulations for appointments to Postdoctoral fellowships at the University of Oslo.

No one can be appointed as Postdoctoral Fellow for more than one specified period at the same institution.

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 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

• Researcher Trude Nilsen, mobil number +47 46418755

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