Job description

Applicants are invited to apply for a position as research fellow at the Department of Teacher Education and School Research. The position involves interdisciplinary research in the intersection of geography education and education for sustainability.

In geography as a school subject, students encounter various perspectives on the relationships between nature, humans and society. These perspectives are reflected in the core elements of the new curriculum Kunnskapsløftet 2020: nature and human space, inquiry and geographical methods, and sustainable development and globalization. Fieldwork is a central method both in geography education and in sustainability education. However, there is a lack of research on classroom practices in geography education in Norwegian secondary school, including research on how sustainable development is treated and how fieldwork is enacted. The main aim of this PhD research fellowship is to develop knowledge on such classroom practices.

As sustainability is an interdisciplinary topic in Kunnskapsløftet 2020, and geography is an interdisciplinary school subject, there will be opportunities for the PhD research fellow to design an interdisciplinary research project across geography and other subjects (for instance, Mathematics, English, Norwegian, Social Studies or Science), depending on the PhD research fellow’s interests and expertise.

More about the position

The fellowship period is up to 4 years, with 3 years devoted to research education. The position entails a compulsory work load of 25% that consists of teaching and supervision duties and research assistance.

Positions as research fellows are fixed-term educational posts where the aim is that the research fellow completes a doctoral degree (PhD) during the period of employment.

The research fellow must take part in the Faculty’s approved PhD programme and is expected to complete the projectwithin the set fellowship period. The main purpose of the fellowship is research training leading to the successful completion of a PhD degree. For more information, please see our web site.

We refer to the guidelines concerning appointment to PhD posts at the University of Oslo.

The Department of Teacher Education and School Research organizes four research groups. It is expected that the applicant is affiliated with the research group Challenges of Sustainability in Educational Research (COSER).

Qualification requirements

• Applicants must satisfy the requirements for admission to the Faculty’s PhD program
• Teacher education with a Master’s degree in geography, geography didactics, geoscience, geoscience didactics, science didactics, or social studies didactics
• The master’s degree (120 ECTS) must have a minimum grade B (ECTS grading scale) or equivalent. It must include a thesis of at least 30 ECTS with a minimum grade B
• Familiarity with the Norwegian/Scandinavian school system will be considered an advantage
• Good oral and written communication skills in Norwegian or a Scandinavian language, and English

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

• The quality of the project description; the description of the research topic, the specific problems to be studied, the choice of scientific theory and method, and the proposed implementation plan for the study
• The applicant’s personal suitability and motivation for the post, including her/his ability to collaborate and to form part of a crossdisciplinary academic community
• The applicant’s academic attitude and motivation with regard to completing the research training program

We offer

• Salary NOK 479 600 – 523 200 per annum depending on qualifications in a position as PhD Research fellow, (position code 1017). Research fellows are normally allocated pay grade 54, NOK 479 600, on appointment
• A stimulating and attractive 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

The application must include

• Cover letter, describing statement of motivation and research interests
• Project description, including progress plan (max. 8-10 pages cf. guidance)
• Completed application form for admission to the doctoral degree programme (see this page)
• CV (summarizing education, positions and academic work)
• Certified copies of diplomas, grade transcripts and any other testimonials.
• In the event of diplomas from other countries: printouts of prospectuses or similar that describe the content and framework of the courses of study on which the application is based.
• Master’s thesis and any other academic works that may be of relevance to the application.

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.

Incomplete applications will under normal circumstances not be assessed.

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 should be in English (or a Scandinavian language).

As a rule, interviews will be conducted as part of the appointment process. At the interview, the applicant will be asked to present original diplomas and grade transcripts from previous courses of study.

Further information on admission requirements and an application form can be found at this website.

Formal regulations

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

No one can be appointed for more than one PhD Research Fellowship 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 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

• Associate professor Kari Beate Remmen
• Head of office Astrid Waaler Kaas

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