Ledig stilling på Universitetet i Oslo

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Doctoral Research Fellowship in Multilingual acquisition, learning or decline

Deadline 10.12.2018

Job description

Universitetet i Oslo

The University of Oslo is Norway’s oldest and highest ranked educational and research institution, with 28 000 students and 7000 employees. With its broad range of academic disciplines and internationally recognised research communities, UiO is an important contributor to society.


Center for Multilingualism in Society across the Lifespan (MultiLing) is a Center of Excellence (CoE) under the Department of Linguistics and Scandinavian Studies at the Faculty of Humanities, financed through the Research Council of Norway’s CoE scheme. The center also has status as one of five world-leading research communities at the University of Oslo, and is currently building a socio-cognitive laboratory. MultiLing’s vision is to contribute to the knowledge on multilingualism across the lifespan for the individual and for the society. Through this the center aims to shed light on the opportunities and challenges represented by multilingualism for the individual in the family, school, other institutions, and in the society as a whole. The staff consists of 40 employees from 15 different countries. Moreover, MultiLing has an extensive network of national and international collaborative partners working on multilingualism at various research institutions.

Flere stillinger fra Universitetet i Oslo

A Doctoral Research Fellowship (SKO 1017) is available at the Center for Multilingualism in Society across the Lifespan (MultiLing) at the Department of Linguistics and Scandinavian Studies, University of Oslo, starting January 2019.

MultiLing is a Center of Excellence funded by the Research Council of Norway and opened on June 1, 2013. The Center successfully completed the Midterm Evaluation to secure funding for the second period of five years, until 2023. MultiLing aims to generate scientific knowledge on multilingualism across the lifespan, related to three themes: Multilingual competence, multilingual practices, and multilingualism, ideologies and language policies (for more information, see http://www.hf.uio.no/multiling/). The Research Strategy Plan for MultiLing’s Second Five Year Period (2018 – 2023) can be found here.

MultiLing seeks to recruit a doctoral candidate with excellent research qualifications who will work with MultiLing researchers collaborating on research Theme 1 “Multilingual Competence”. This Theme covers multilingual acquisition, learning and decline, as addressed in MultiLing’s Research Strategy Plan (Theme 1: Parts 1.1, 1.2, 1.3):

  • 1.1: Multilingual acquisition and learning
  • 1.2: Heritage languages
  • 1.3: Language in the elderly: healthy and pathological aging in multilinguals

The candidate will work on a project that is anchored in 1.1 of MultiLing’s Research Strategy Plan “Multilingual acquisition and learning”:

“Cognitive control in bilingual language processing and second language learning”

Applicants are expected to present an independent research project proposal. The candidate must articulate how the proposed project fits in MultiLing’s Research Strategy Plan for Theme 1 “Multilingual Competence”. MultiLing has recently opened its Socio-Cognitive Laboratory, and the fellows are expected to use the affordances of this lab for their research. The successful candidate will receive instruction and supervision for using the lab, as part of the research training.

The successful candidate is expected to become part of MultiLing’s research environment and contribute to its development. The successful candidate is expected to strengthen the relevant research areas addressed above, to contribute to and participate in the various workshops, conferences and activities organized by MultiLing, and to be an active member of the MultiLing team in Oslo.

The position is available for a period of three years, starting January 1, 2019. The fellowship period may be reduced if the PhD candidate has previously been employed in a research fellowship position. The appointment is for a duration of three years. All PhD candidates who submit their doctoral dissertation for assessment, along with a written recommendation from their supervisor, within 3 years or 3 ½ years after the start of their PhD position will be offered, respectively, a 12 or 6-month Completion Grant.

The successful candidate must participate in the research training program organized by the Faculty of Humanities (cf. regulations and supplementary provisions for the faculty’s researcher education) and must engage in the designated research activities on a full-time basis. The purpose of the Doctoral Research Fellowship is research training leading to the successful completion of a doctoral dissertation (monograph or article-based) to be defended at a public defense for the doctoral degree. The successful candidate will be automatically accepted for the research-training program (PhD program) at the Faculty of Humanities, UiO. Read more about the doctoral degree here.

Qualifications and Personal Skills

In assessing the applications, special emphasis will be placed on the quality of the project description and its relevance for MultiLing’s Research Strategy Plan for Theme 1 on Multilingual Competence (1.1, 1.2 and/or 1.3). Special emphasis will also be placed on the assumed academic and personal ability to complete the dissertation within the given time frame.

Requirements

  • the candidate must have an MA degree or equivalent in linguistics, Scandinavian languages, psychology, or some other relevant discipline related to MultiLing’s work (note the requirement of a minimum 2-year MA or equivalent and that the Master’s degree must have been obtained at the latest by the application deadline.).
  • excellent written and spoken language skills in English.
  • personal suitability and motivation for the position.

One or more of the following additional qualifications will be an advantage, but are not requirements:

  • knowledge of at least one minority language used in Norway, such as Punjabi, Turkish, Arabic, or Polish
  • knowledge of Norwegian

In the assessment of the applications, emphasis will be placed on:

  • the project’s scientific merit, research-related relevance and innovation
  • the applicant’s international experience and network
  • the applicant’s academic and personal qualifications to carry out the project within the allotted time frame
  • good cooperative skills, and the ability to successfully join in academic collaboration within and across disciplines

In the case of equally qualified applicants, an applicant proposing a project that addresses issues relevant for the multilingual situation in Norway will be given preference. Candidates with a minority language background relevant for the multilingual situation in Norway are encouraged to apply.

We offer

  • salary NOK 449 400 – 497 500 per annum depending on qualifications
  • a challenging and stimulating working environment
  • 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

Applicants must submit the following attachments with the electronic application, preferably in pdf format:

  • Application letter describing the applicant’s qualifications and motivation for the position
  • Curriculum Vitae (complete list of education, positions, teaching experience, administrative experience and other qualifying activities, including a complete list of publications)
  • Transcript of records of your Master's degree. Applicants with education from a foreign university are advised to attach an explanation of their university's grading system.
  • Project description, including a detailed progress plan for the project (3 - 5 pages, see Template for project descriptions)

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 must be in English.

Publications, MA theses and the like are not to be submitted with the application, but applicants may be asked to submit such information or works at a later date.

The short-listed candidates will be called in for an interview at the University of Oslo or we will arrange for an interview on Skype.

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.

Contact information

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