Job description

A permanent position of Associate Professor in literacy is available at the Department of Linguistics and Scandinavian Studies, University of Oslo.

The position will be linked to the research areas in Rhetoric, textual studies and linguistic communication in addition to Norwegian as a second Language at the department. By employing an Associate Professor in literacy, the Department of Linguistics and Scandinavian studies aims at strengthening the education, research and dissemination of knowledge of literacy. The research field is defined as the study of literacy, as well as the importance of literacy for intellectual, cultural and social development. "Literacy" in this context includes more than the relation between oral language and writing and may include the interaction between different modalities, i.e. multimodality. Important research within the field is therefore aimed at writing and reading education both inside and outside the education system. In the Norwegian school system, skills related to literacy have a dominant position. Writing and reading is defined as two of the five basic competencies in the school system. In the second language education for adults in “Kompetanse Norge”, writing and reading are defined as basic competencies. The position is also relevant for research on and teaching in important research areas for the department such as non-fiction/subject oriented texts and plain language. The applicant should therefore have knowledge of both Norwegian/Scandinavian educational institutions and Norwegian/Scandinavian state, county and municipal public services.

The teaching on the subject "literacy" will be particularly aimed at students at the university's upper secondary school teacher’s MA-program, as well as the department's focus on plain language and the study of functional and literary non-fiction/subject oriented texts, in addition to topics on reading and writing in Norwegian as a second language. It is therefore desirable that the person who is employed in the position has experience from research on and teaching in literacy both inside and outside the school system. Insight into and experience with research on and teaching about the international and Scandinavian theoretical developments in literacy research, also second-language literacy research, will also be emphasized.

The person who is appointed to the position will have a responsibility for the research and dissemination within the field of literacy, and is expected to:

• Teach literacy courses at BA and MA level. Teaching on other courses must be expected.
• Supervise students in literacy research at BA and MA level
• Develop the research in the field of literacy.
• Supervise research fellows in literacy research
• Develop research projects and research collaboration on literacy
• Disseminate research-based knowledge on literacy

The successful candidate is expected to initiate and lead research, supervise PhD candidates, participate in teaching and in exam setting and assessment at all levels, and to carry out administrative duties in accordance with the needs of the department.

Qualification requirements

• PhD or equivalent academic qualifications within research areas relevant for literacy research
• Documented pedagogical skills (either a teaching course certificate or based on teaching experience), see how to document your pedagogical skills
• Documented potential for project acquisition
• Fluent oral and written communication skills in English and a Scandinavian language (see Formal regulations)
• Personal suitability and motivation for the position

The following qualifications will count in the assessment of the applicants:

• Academic qualifications and academic production in literacy research, with emphasis on works published within the last 5 years. Originality and innovative thinking will be weighted more heavily than quantity
• International peer-reviewed publications
• Experience with research projects
• Potential to contribute to the long-term development of the academic and research environment at the Department
• Pedagogical qualifications, documented results from teaching and supervision, and disposition to inspire students
• Interest and ability in leadership and administration
• Ability to create and contribute to a positive environment for collaboration
• Experience with and ability to build international networks
• Skills within popular dissemination, public outreach and innovation

In the evaluation of the qualified candidates the full range of these criteria will be explicitly addressed and assessed.

Academic quality, development potential and breadth will be prioritised in this order. The selected candidates are expected to contribute to the objective in the University of Oslo’s strategic plan to “strengthen its international position as a leading research-intensive university through a close interaction across research, education, communication and innovation”.

We offer

• Salary NOK 524 200 – 607 700 per annum depending on qualifications
• A professionally stimulating working environment
• Membership in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund
• Attractive welfare benefits
• The opportunity to apply for promotion to full professorship at a later stage

How to apply

The application must include:

• Application letter (statement of motivation, summarising scientific work and research interest)
• Curriculum Vitae (list of education, positions, pedagogical experience, administrative experience, project acquisition and coordination experience, and other relevant qualifications)
• Complete list of published and unpublished works
• 1-3 suggestions for MA-thesis topics, where at least one should be related to practice
• 1-3 sketches of possible externally funded research projects

Please note that all documents should be in English (or a Scandinavian language), either in the original or in translation.

Applicants are required to describe and document the entire range of qualifications and criteria described in the announcement of the post with concrete examples.

The application with attachments must be delivered in our electronic recruiting system, please follow the link “Apply for this job”.

Selection procedure

As the first step in the evaluation process, a Selection Committee will assess all applications and invite the most qualified applicants to submit a portfolio of educational certificates and academic works (up to 10 publications, which should not exceed 500 pages in total) for expert assessment. Academic texts shall therefore not be enclosed with the application. Applicants who are invited to submit academic works are asked to select three works, published within the last 5 years, to be considered as most relevant for the position. In longer publications (monographs), applicants should specify the relevant pages. Applicants are further asked to submit a description of one or more research projects considered relevant for the Department. Applicants are also asked to submit a portfolio that documents other qualifications (public outreach, teaching and supervision, and any experience with leadership and administration).

Finally, the most highly ranked candidates will be invited for an interview and a trial lecture.

Formal regulations

The successful candidate who at the time of appointment cannot document basic teaching qualifications will be required to obtain such qualifications within a two-year period. Please see the rules for the assessment and weighting of pedagogical competence.

The successful candidate should demonstrate mastery of both English and one of the Scandinavian languages as working languages. If an appointee is not fluent in a Scandinavian language, he/she is expected to become proficient Norwegian within a two-year period. This is to ensure that the appointee will be able to actively participate in all functions the position may involve.

Within his/her normal duties and in accordance with his/her academic competence, the person appointed may also be asked to work outside his/her Department. The appointment is made under the condition that the employer may change the subject area and assigned tasks according to the needs of the Department. See also the rules for appointments to Associate Professorships.

According to the Freedom of Information Act (Offentleglova) § 25, Chapter 2, demographic information about the applicant may be used in the public list of applicants, also in cases where the applicant has requested non-disclosure.

The University of Oslo has an Acquisition of Rights Agreement for the purpose of securing rights to intellectual property created by its employees, including research results.

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 questions about the position:

• Head of Department Piotr Garbacz

For questions about the recruitment process:

• HR advicer Tonje Olsen

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