Stilling:

PhD Research fellow in Educational policy analysis with large-scale assessment data

Deadline 30.09.2018

University of 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.

The Centre for Educational Measurement at the University of Oslo (CEMO) provides a stimulating research environment by bringing internationally renowned substantive and methodological experts together. Research at CEMO combines basic research and applications of advanced measurement techniques to solve core educational problems.

CEMO also contributes to the development of measurement competence through teaching and outreach. The centre is part of a broad international network and manages several externally funded research grants.

Further information about CEMO can be found here.

Job description

Applications are invited for a full-time position as a PhD Research fellow at the Centre for Educational Measurement at the University of Oslo (CEMO). The position involves analyzing trends in arithmetic and basic algebra in Norway by making use of large-scale cohort data gathered by the Norwegian army in the context of a selection test (men over 18 years, including women since 2015). The objective is to examine outcomes of policy reforms both on the score (since the 1990s) and item level (computer-based assessment since 2010).

The appointment is made for a period of up to four years (25% of which is devoted to required duties, usually in the form of teaching activities).

More aout the position

The project includes a broad range of policy-related, content-related and methodological research opportunities. The specific research questions to be examined are not pre-determined but preference will be given to applicants with proposals that specify one or two of the following approaches:

  • Examining changes in arithmetic and basic algebraic skills with item-level data and relating the outcomes to policy changes
  • Applying different policy models to explain the development of arithmetic and algebraic skills on the score level over time
  • Developing different approaches to account for selection and/or other potential biases

Most research questions in the context of this project will need information beyond the arithmetic and basic algebraic skills of Norwegian 18-year olds. Norway has well-developed data registers with Statistics Norway (SSB) in charge of building and maintaining these (see for example http://www.ssb.no/en/omssb/tjenester-og-verktoy/data-til-forskning/utdanning) For more information about the project please contact Prof. Sigrid Blömeke, sigrid.blomeke@cemo.uio.no.

Knowledge of the Norwegian language is an advantage but not necessary because most documents are also available in English. Training in mathematics education is an advantage but not necessary because collaboration opportunities exist. It is expected that the PhD candidate collaborates with other colleagues at CEMO working with similar data and with The Norwegian Defence University College. The project is part of a larger strand at CEMO that relates to the Norwegian context (http://www.uv.uio.no/cemo/english/research/projects/educational-measurement-in-the-norwegian-context/index.html; for more information please contact project leader Professor Rolf Vegar Olsen, r.v.olsen@cemo.uio.no)

Responsibilities

  • Conduct research targeted at receiving a PhD in education (cumulative dissertation based on scientific peer-reviewed publications)
  • Application for access to anonymized individual level data, building and maintaining the data set necessary to examine the research questions.
  • Data analysis, documentation and publication of results in international peer-reviewed journals and at scientific conferences.
  • Taking part in teaching activities in CEMO’s Master of Science in Assessment and Evaluation

Qualification requirements

  • Applicants must hold a Master’s degree in education or other social and behavioral sciences (e.g., psychology or mathematics education)
  • Documented extended knowledge of and experience with the application of advanced quantitative research methods (for example in the context of a master’s thesis)
  • Interest in educational policy research, educational measurement or mathematics education research
  • Ability to work both independently and collaboratively with a strong personal commitment

By the time of appointment, applicants must satisfy the requirements for admission to the Faculty’s PhD program. This includes:

  • Successful completion of a Master's degree with thesis, or equivalent qualifications, with sufficient relevance to the announced research field
  • Minimum grade B (ECTS grading scale) or equivalent on the Master’s degree, and explicit indication of the grade achieved on the thesis part.
  • Further information on admission requirements and an application form can be found at this website.

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

  • The applicant’s academic qualifications and aptitude for completing the PhD program
  • The project description, which must be submitted with the application
  • The applicant’s personal suitability and motivation for the post
  • Other qualifications that meet the objectives of this position

We offer

  • Salary NOK 449 400 – 480 600 per annum depending on qualifications in a position as PhD Research fellow (position code 1017). The position as research fellow is remunerated according to the Norwegian State salary scale.
  • PhD candidates receive a full tuition, a partial fee waiver and five weeks paid vacation. PhD candidates are also entitled to apply for subsidized housing through the University of Oslo, subject to availability.
  • The University of Oslo offers attractive welfare benefits and pension agreement in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund, in addition to Oslo’s family-friendly environment with its rich opportunities for culture and outdoor activities

How to apply

The application must be submitted electronically and must include the following:

  • A short Letter of application
  • A project description containing an outline of potential research questions to be examined within the areas mentioned above, potential methods to be applied, and information about the applicant’s experience with these methods (max. 5 pages)
  • 1-2 references with contact information (e.g.Master’s thesis supervisor)
  • Master’s thesis and any other academic works that may be of relevance to the application
  • Documentation of the earlier education (diplomas, grade transcripts, descriptions of the course of study)

Incomplete applications will under normal circumstances not be assessed. As a rule, interviews will be conducted as part of the appointment process. Original diplomas and grade transcripts from previous courses of study need to be presented or sent to us from the universities from which the PhD candidate obtained the degrees. 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).

Further information on the application process can be obtained from Senior Adviser Anne-Catherine Lehre (a.c.w.g.lehre@cemo.uio.no).

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

  • Centre Director Sigrid Blömeke, phone number: +47 46 41 87 55, e-mail: sigrid.blomeke@cemo.uio.no

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