The University of Agder invites applications for a full-time fixed-term appointment as Post-Doctoral Research Fellow in Mathematics Education (ME) for a period of two years. Starting as soon as possible. The location of the position is at the Faculty of Engineering and Science at the UiA campus Kristiansand.

The Department of Mathematical Sciences offers bachelor’s and master’s programmes in mathematics, and a master's programme and PhD in mathematics education. The department also contributes to the University’s teacher education programme. The department offers a joint MA-programme with similar research groups at two partner institutions in other Nordic countries. The department has a large and active research group in mathematics education with about 20 fellows on its PhD programme. The group pursues a variety of research interests focusing especially on three main strands of inquiry to improve and promote development in: mathematics teaching and learning from kindergarten to university level, design and modelling for mathematics education, technology and resources for mathematics education.

The Centre for Research, Innovation and Coordination of Mathematics Teaching, a national Centre for Excellence in Higher Education, established 1 January 2014, is led by the Department of Mathematical Sciences. The person appointed, with research in an appropriate area could contribute to the work and development of the Centre.

The mathematics education research group has substantial and on-going experience of leading and contributing to large research projects funded by The EU, The Research Council of Norway, Nordforsk, the Competence Development Fund of Southern Norway, and others. The Department has hosted the Nordic Graduate School in Mathematics Education and contributes actively to the Nordic mathematics education community.

The position

The principal task for the Post-doctoral research fellow is to undertake original research that contributes to the goals of the Mathematics Education Research Group.

Candidates are strongly advised to examine the areas of the research group’s interest (at the above link to the website of Mathematics Education research group), and researchers’ profiles, which are available at the University of Agder’s home page. Further, candidates are advised to make contact with one of the named researchers, to seek advice on the focus of the research to be proposed.

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Requirements

This position is ideally suited for an early career researcher who wants to establish a firm and broad base for further research and scholarly activity in mathematics education.

The candidate must hold a cand. scient. or master’s degree in Mathematics or Mathematics Education or other field with corresponding mathematics content.

Applicants must be in possession of a doctorate in the field of mathematics education; consideration will also be given to applications from those who are within three months of completing their PhD. Applicants with a PhD in mathematics or mathematical science together with substantial recent and relevant publications in mathematics education will also be considered for the position.

Applicants should be fluent in English and, it is desirable, one other major European language (e.g. German, French, Italian, Spanish). A knowledge of Norwegian or other Scandinavian language will be an advantage.

Applicants from some countries must document their English proficiency through one of the following tests with the stated results or better:

• TOEFL – Test of English as a Foreign Language with a minimum score of 550 on the Paper-based Test (PBT), or 80 on the Internet based Test (iBT)
• IELTS – International English Language Testing System, with a result of at least 6.0.

The list of countries this pertains to can be found here.

Please note that the English test requirement applies to applicants from most countries according to the list mentioned above. No other tests will be approved, and certifications/statements cannot replace a test.

Personal suitability and good teamwork skills will be emphasized in the evaluation as well as relevant practical experience. A sound publication record post-PhD is required. The Post-Doctoral Research Fellow will be expected to contribute to an active research community. The position places great demands on the applicant’s capacity for independent goal-oriented work, ability to concentrate and attention to detail. Applicants will be assessed on the basis of academic background and results, attainment, and any previous research and development work.

Further provisions relating to the position as Post-Doctoral Research Fellow can be found in the Regulations Concerning Terms and Conditions of Employment for the Post of Post-Doctoral Research Fellow, Research Fellow, Research Assistant and Resident.

It may be pertinent for the candidate to stay at an external institution or with a national or international partner for part of the period of employment.

Short-listed applicants will be invited for interviews. With the applicant’s permission, UiA will also conduct a reference check before appointment.

Remuneration

The position is remunerated according to the State salary scale, salary plan 17.510, code 1352 Post-Doctoral Research Fellow, salary NOK 544 400-658 300 gross per year. A 2 % compulsory pension contribution to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund is deducted from the pay according to current statutory provisions.

The Norwegian public service is committed to reflecting the diversity of society, and the personnel policy of the University of Agder aims to achieve a balanced workforce. All qualified persons are therefore encouraged to apply for the position, irrespective of cultural background, gender, age or disability.

Appointment is made by the University of Agder’s Appointments Committee for Teaching and Research Positions. The successful applicant will have rights and obligations in accordance with the current regulations for the public service.

Application

Applications and CVs must be submitted on-line. Please click on the link “Apply for this job”. The following documentation should be submitted as attachments to the online application:

• Certificates and/or grades for all post-secondary education, up to and including the bachelor's level
• Master's degree/higher degree certificate, with a summary of the courses/subjects included in the degree
• Doctoral degree certificate, with a summary of any courses that may have been taken as part of the degree
• Applicants with a foreign higher education must attach an official description of the grading system used at the issuing institution
• Abstract (approximately 1-2 pages – in English) of the doctoral dissertation;
• Applicants who are required to document their English proficiency must submit their TOEFL or IELTS test results (these may be forwarded after the closing date); An additional assessment of English may be undertaken at the time of interview
• Summary and links to the applicant's scientific publications including doctoral dissertation
• A proposal for the Post-doctoral research of not more than 5000 words is required. This must provide a brief description of research to be pursued and publication intentions. The proposal will form an important part in the process of evaluating candidates for the position.

The application is expected to include an outline of the applicant’s research interests and background for the proposed project, and especially for recently qualified PhDs, how the post-doctoral position will build on and extend their doctoral research.

Original documents must be presented for verification to the University of Agder together with the copies by the appointed Post-doctoral research fellow upon arrival at UiA. Successful candidates will be asked, normally during the interview, to ensure that the issuing university submits documents in a sealed envelope directly to UiA or provide that their documents are accessed online, which allows UiA to verify the authenticity of these electronic documents via a secure website hosted at the issuing university (contact person at UiA will be provided later for certain candidates). The applicant is fully responsible for submitting complete documentation. Without complete documentation we cannot, unfortunately, include you in the assessment process.

All documentation of education must be in the original language and in English, Norwegian, Swedish, or Danish (if the original language is not one of these), and the translation should preferably be from the issuing university. Additional documentation must be in English, Norwegian, Swedish or Danish.

Closing date: 26.10.18

For further information please contact:

• Professor Simon Goodchild, tel. (+47) 38 14 17 60, e-mail: simon.goodchild@uia.no or
  
• Head of Department Ingvald Erfjord, tel.: +47 38 14 15 47, e-mail: ingvald.erfjord@uia.no

In accordance with §25(2) of the Freedom of Information Act, applicants may request that they are not identified in the open list of applicants. The University, however, reserves the right to publish the name of applicants. Applicants will be advised of the University’s intention to exercise this right.

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