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

Quantitative postdoc on effects of school environment and teaching practices on students’ results

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" funded by the Norwegian Research Council. More precisely, you will be working on the project’s Work Package 1 “Mapping the provision of adapted education in Norway and its effects”, led by Håvard Helland and Øyvind N. Wiborg at the Centre.

WP1 will examine how learning environment and teaching practices correlate with and affect students’ results and well-being, and answer questions like:

• How is adapted education perceived and practiced in Norwegian schools?
• What is the impact of such practices on student outcomes in terms of performance, experience and engagement?
• How are teaching environments and adapted education experienced and assessed by teachers and students?
• How do school leaders’ and teachers’ perception of adapted education vary with the school’s student composition (according to social origin, country of origin etc.)?
• What are the effects of accelerated learning (completion of subjects earlier than expected) on grades, future education and labour market position?

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).

We 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 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 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.

The post-doctoral fellow will 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 graduate study within the study of professions in the Nordic countries.

Currently there are about 50 persons attached to the Centre.

Main duties of the position

• carry out your own research (postdoc project)
• participate in collaborative research with national and international partners
• contribute to the development of the scholarly environment at the Centre
• actively contribute to the general development of the Centre and the University as a whole
• disseminate research results to your peers as well as to the wider society

We are looking for applicants who 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.

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.

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.

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.
• up to 5 academic documents (in English or Scandinavian languages only) including your PhD dissertation and a list of your publications, if relevant

You must upload all of these documents. 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
• 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 offer

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 salary for the position is in accordance with the pay scale for Norwegian state employees, 1352 postdoctoral fellow, with a range between NOK 524.200-686.200 annually. A higher salary may be considered for particularly well qualified applicants. 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: May 31, 2019

Ref.:                               18/12154

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