Postdoctoral fellow in Social Science - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

Quantitative postdoc on adapted and inclusive mathematics teaching

There is a vacant two year position as a postdoctoral fellow in Social Science at the Centre for the Study of Professions (SPS). You will be working on a research project called "IMaT - Inclusive Mathematics Teaching: understanding and developing school and classroom strategies for raising attainment".

The IMaT project aims to strengthen mathematics teaching in Norwegian primary and lower secondary schools, with the specific objective of enhancing problem solving and reasoning skills in students at all levels of attainment, and from all backgrounds. Work Package 1 (WP1) will map current school- and classroom-level practice in mathematics education, and answer questions like:

• How is adapted education in mathematics perceived, operationalised and enacted in Norwegian municipalities, schools and classrooms?
• What strategies do schools employ for addressing needs for adapted education in mathematics?
• How are strategies for adapted education experienced by teachers and students?
• What is the impact of adapted education strategies on student outcomes in terms of performance, experience and engagement?

We address these questions through a survey of Norwegian school leaders, mapping the planning and implementation of adapted education, recording the dimensions of different learning environments and strategies for raising attainment. These survey data will then be matched to available data at the school level (e.g. budget items, student satisfaction and motivation from https://skoleporten.udir.no/) and to individual level register data (from Statistics Norway) on learning outcomes (results on exams and national tests in mathematics) and student characteristics (gender, ethnic origin, social origin etc.). These data will enable us to discern different dimensions of school learning environments, and to examine how different strategies and learning environment dimensions correlate with student well-being and motivation on the school level. They will also make possible assessment of the impact of the use of different strategies on outcomes for different groups of students (high versus low achievers, lower versus higher socio-economic status students, majority versus minority groups, boys versus girls etc).

The project will also analyse register data on educational attainment and completion. Such data enable us to identify students who have accelerated their learning in single subjects (completed subjects earlier than expected) since 2001, and these data may be matched with individual characteristics (gender, country of origin, municipality of residence, and parents’ occupation, income and education) and grades. We will also examine how accelerated learning correlates with grades, future education and labour market position (for the eldest from 2001 to 2014, i.e. 14 years).

You must make a project that fits with, and contributes to, the above. A description of the project can be found online, but you can also request the full project description from the WP leader Håvard Helland.

IMaT is headed by the Department of Primary and Secondary Teacher Education at the Faculty of Education and International Studies, and it is funded by the Norwegian Research Council. Professor Yvette Solomon is the project leader. As mentioned above the postdoc will be working on the project’s WP1 “Mapping the provision of adapted education in Norway and its effects”, led by Professor Håvard Helland and Assistant Professor Øyvind N. Wiborg at the Centre for the Study of Professions.

The post-doctoral fellow will also be part of the research group on ‘Professional careers and professional labour markets’, led by Helland, at the Centre.

You will be working in a cross-disciplinary environment, which is also theoretically and methodologically diverse, together with researchers and PhD candidates with a background from sociology, pedagogy, history, philosophy, political science, social anthropology, health, economy, psychology, and more. SPS is a leading centre for research and PhD study within the study of professions in the Nordic countries.

Currently there are about 50 persons attached to the Centre.

You must have

• a degree equivalent to a Norwegian doctoral degree in social science. Candidates in the completing stages of the doctoral degree must have submitted their thesis for evaluation, and have received an approval for public defence by the application date
• a relevant project proposal building on, and contributing to, the IMaT project
• the capacity for independent academic research at a high level, preferably documented through publications in international journals
• published empirical research based on quantitative data in high quality journals
  experience with working with large datasets, such as administrative registers.
  advanced knowledge of relevant quantitative research methods.
• excellent written and oral proficiency in English and Norwegian (or other Scandinavian language)

Residence in Norway is expected, but Researchers are also encouraged to spend time abroad during the fellowship period. The position will be located at Oslo Metropolitan University.

General criteria for appointment to a position as Postdoc are stipulated in Regulations relating to Appointment (Forskrift om ansettelsesvilkår for stillinger som postdoktor, stipendiat, vitenskapelig assistent og spesialistkandidat) § 1-2, see details in Norwegian

We are looking for applicants whom have

• a responsible and reliable approach to work
• a collegial attitude
• an intellectual orientation towards, and ability to work in, a cross-disciplinary environment
• a strong interest in research

It is important for OsloMet to reflect the population of our region, and all qualified candidates are welcome to apply. We make active efforts to further develop as an inclusive workplace and to adapt the workplace if required.

When reviewing the applications we will pay particular attention to

• the quality of the project proposal, and its contribution to the IMaT project
• the quality of your previous research, including the doctoral thesis
• competence in quantitative research methods
• the application letter’s description of your motivation for applying for this position and explanation of how your background, research and experience is relevant to the research project.

We will look at your general academic and personal capacity to contribute to the IMaT project within the given timeframe, to interact within national and international networks, and to be part of a dynamic research group. You must complete the project in the course of the period of employment.

Expert evaluation

An expert committee will assess applicants. You must upload the following documents together with your application by the final date for applications:

• a project proposal and plan (max 5 pages including research questions, method, progress plan and literature – font size 12, 1 ½ line space and 3 cm margines
• application letter. Please describe your motivation for applying for this position and explain how your background, research and experience is relevant to the research Project.
• CV, references and all pages of certificates/diplomas. The certificates/diplomas must include ECTS grades (A–F). Foreign diplomas must be translated into English by the degree-conferring institution. Education taken abroad should preferably be recognised in advance by NOKUT, and a confirmed copy of the letter of recognition should be enclosed.
• a complete list of your academic Production
• up to 5 academic documents including your PhD dissertation (in English or Scandinavian languages only)

In assessing applications, particular emphasis will be placed on the academic and personal capacity of the candidate to contribute to the project within the given timeframe, to interact within national and international networks, and to be part of a dynamic research group. We expect the successful candidate to complete the project in the course of the period of employment

Original documents and valid passport must be presented if you are invited for an interview. OsloMet performs document inspections in order to give you as a candidate a proper evaluation and ensure fair competition.

If you have documents that cannot be uploaded electronically, please contact andjo@oslomet.no

Please note that incomplete applications will not be considered.

We can offer you

• an exciting job opportunity at Norway’s third largest and most urban university
  the opportunity to be a part of a dynamic professional environment and unique academic network
• membership in an active research group and academic seminars where you will receive feedback on articles etc.
• a work environment where we see and encourage each other
• beneficial pension arrangements with the Norwegian State Pension Fund
• good employee welfare arrangements
• free Norwegian language classes to employees and their partners
• relocation support, cultural courses and on boarding services
• working location in downtown Oslo with multiple cultural offers

OsloMet’s International Career Site gives information on living and working in Oslo.

Other information

If you would like more information about the positon, feel free to contact:

• Centre Director, Oddgeir Osland, +47 67 23 53 26, oddos@oslomet.no
• Professor Håvard Helland, +47 67 23 53 58, havhel@oslomet.no

The position is remunerated in accordance with the pay scale for Norwegian state employees, 1352 Postdoc, with a salary range between NOK 524.200-682.200 (annual). For particularly well qualified applicants we may consider a higher salary. By law, 2% of the salary will be deducted and sent to the State Pension Fund

If you wish to apply for the position, please apply electronically by clicking the button at the bottom of the page.

Deadline for applications: 1 February 2019

Ref.: 18/12154

OsloMet has implemented the Charter & Code and been certified by the EU Commission with HR Excellence in Research (HRS4R) and is part of the EU network for mobility of Researchers Euraxess.