Faculty of Education and International Studies, Department of Vocational Teacher Education

Oslo Metropolitan University is Norway's third largest university with almost 22,000 students and over 2,500 employees. We have campuses in central Oslo and at Romerike. OsloMet educates students and conducts research that contributes to the sustainability of the Norwegian welfare state and the metropolitan region.

The Faculty of Education and International Studies (LUI) has approximately 550 employees and 7000 students and is located in Oslo and Akershus. The Faculty is comprised of four departments as well as the National Centre of Multicultural Education (NAFO). The Faculty educates tomorrow’s teachers from kindergarten through upper secondary school, in close cooperation with the field of practical training. The Faculty offers a PhD in Education. In addition, the Faculty offers development studies and studies in sign language and interpreting. Diversity is a core value for the Faculty and its activities. The Faculty’s research and development focuses on practical training and is both profession-oriented and internationally oriented.

The Department of Vocational Teacher Education (YLU) is the leading academic community for vocational pedagogy in Norway. We offer study programmes in vocational teacher education and vocational pedagogy, postgraduate certificate education for vocational teachers (PPU-Y) and driving instructor education. The department also offers continuing and further education and does considerable contract work. We have a broad focus on research and development and work in close cooperation with schools and workplaces.

The Department of Vocational Teacher Education announces a fellowship attached to the PhD program: Educational Sciences for Teacher Education, in the Faculty of Education and International Studies.

The Faculty's strategic goal is to become a leader in the field of teacher education. Within the Department of Vocational Teacher Education, this means pursuing new research subjects on vocational trades and vocational education; relationships between education at school and workplace based learning, as well as practice-led knowledge development and research.

We seek original, empirical and theoretical projects of high quality. 

The position will be based at the Department of Vocational Teacher Education at Campus Kjeller and will be held for 3 years (alternatively, 4 years including 25% teaching or other duties for the department). 

Area of research

The PhD fellows will develop projects or subprojects related to one of the department’s main research areas: 

1.Quality in professional practice and vocational training

This area focuses on quality in vocational education in schools, businesses and the public sector. The research will help to illuminate and develop quality and flexibility in professional practice and vocational education, from the perspectives of both individuals and future industry stakeholders. Analyses of the competence needs for the labour force, professional practice and work processes should be considered as a primary focus and should form the basis for content and working methods in vocational education. Vocational didactics, as a tool in the development of vocational training and occupational differentiation, is central to the development of quality in vocational education. Other areas that may be considered are changes in occupation and the need for vocational skills in different professions, including key skills and/or generic skills.

2. Relevant competence in vocational teacher education

This area focuses on the qualification of vocational teachers in vocational teacher education (YFL and PPUY). Research in this area will help to highlight and develop quality and flexibility in both vocational education and in vocational teacher education, from the perspectives of both individuals and future industry stakeholders. Key research themes here are, for example, changes in vocational skills, key skills and/or generic skills. The relationship between quality in vocational education and quality in vocational teacher education is pivotal, especially the relationship between the professionalization of vocational education (including professional didactics), professional relevance and professional practice.

3. Technology in vocational training, vocational education and vocational teacher education

This area focuses on the development of technological competence, digitalization, automation, robotization, and simulation, as well as relationships between technology and learning in different vocations and professions. What implications might these changes have for vocational education in upper secondary school and for vocational teacher education? Research on the development of learning technologies, changes in both learning processes and the roles of teachers, as well as online support for teaching and guidance in teacher education is also relevant. 

4. Diversity and inclusion in vocational training and vocational education

This area focuses on the challenges associated with diversity issues, including the relationship between specially facilitated teaching and education, dropout rates and motivation, development of alternative learning arenas, training practice and training candidature schemes, and the teaching of students with Norwegian as a second language. In this area of focus it may also be appropriate to develop projects related to the management of diversity and inclusionary practices in relation to gender, ethnicity, functional capacity, etc. Research questions related to vocational students' daily school lives and the relationship between youth and vocational identities in different learning situations are also relevant. 

5. Lifelong learning

Learning through the lifetime and validation of real-world skills is an important research field. The field is linked to workplace learning, lifelong learning, requalification, experiential competence and methods of assessment, dual models in adult learning, migration as well as qualification of refugees for the Norwegian workforce.

The appointment is for a period of 3 or 4 years, according to agreement with head of studies. The nominal length of the PhD program is three years, with a possibility of a fourth year consisting of teaching or other duties for the department (the additional year is distributed as 25 % of each of the four years). 

Qualification requirements:

  • A completed master's degree/second degree (corresponding to 120 credits) with a letter grade of B or better in vocational education, teacher education, other teaching qualifications, educational sciences or development studies (act and regulationsfor PhD Programmes).
  • Good knowledge of, and experience in vocational trades and vocational education.
  • Proficiency in both written and spoken English, or a Scandinavian language
  • Admission to the doctoral programme at the faculty is a prerequisite for employment. 

In the assessment and ranking of qualified applicants, the following will be emphasised:  

  • professional Certificate (fagbrev) or equivalent professional qualification and professional experience
  • relevant experience from research and development work
  • knowledge of vocational teacher education
  • experience in the management of vocational education in an education or business setting 

We are looking for applicants who can demonstrate:

  • independence and the ability to complete tasks on time
  • good collaborative skills
  • good interpersonal and communication skills

In assessing the applicants, emphasis will be placed on the submitted project proposal

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. You are also welcome to apply for a position with us if you have experienced periods where you have not been in work, education or training. 


Application process:

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

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.

Your master's degree/second degree thesis (and any other scholarly work that you wish the expert committee to take into consideration) and a list of your publications, if relevant

Project description: maximum 10 pages.

The project description must be written in English or a Scandinavian language.

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 heidihertzberg.wold@oslomet.no

Please note that incomplete applications will not be considered. The application must state your reasons for applying to the project and what makes you particularly qualified to carry out this PhD work. 

We offer

  • an exciting job opportunity at Norway’s third largest and most urban university
  • opportunities for professional development
  • the opportunity to specialise in an exciting academic field with an important social mission
  • beneficial pension arrangements with the Norwegian State Pension Fund
  • good employee welfare arrangements


Other information

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

  • Head of studies, Grete Haaland, + 47 95424548
  • Head of studies, Lars Gjelstad, +47 91819250 

The salary for the position is in accordance with the pay scale for Norwegian state employees, job title and position code 1017. Salary NOK 479 600,- per year. 

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

Type of employment Stipendiat
Contract type Full time
First day of employment Så snart som mulig
Salary NOK 479 600,- per year
Number of positions 1
Full-time equivalent 100
City Kjeller
County Viken
Country Norway
Reference number 19/09784
Published 15.Oct.2019
Last application date 26.Nov.2019 11:59 PM CET

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