Associate Professor (førsteamanuensis/førstelektor) in education - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

There are vacancies for up to four permanent full-time positions as Associate Professor (førsteamanuensis/førstelektor) in education at the Department of Early Childhood Education at the Faculty of Education and International Studies from the 1st of August 2020.

The Department of Early Childhood Education has approximately 2000 students and 115 academic staff members, and is located in Pilestredet in the centre of Oslo. The Department offers a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education and Care, a Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education Studies, and various continuing education courses. There are an increasing number of external assignments relevant to kindergarten sector. The Department is looking for new faculty members who can contribute to this, in line with our vision: New knowledge, new practice.  The Faculty offers a PhD in Education. The Department collaborates extensively with kindergartens and other institutions relevant to our work.

We are now advertising the following positions: 

Position A - The Department is looking for candidates who can strengthen its research production and contribute with obtaining externally financed projects. 

Position B - The Department is looking for candidates who can contribute to the externally financed projects at the Institute, such as competence development within the professional field.

For both positions it is expected that the successful candidates work within research, teaching and externally financed projects. 

Position A

Tasks and responsibilities:

• research, publication and presentation of research results
• participate in development and implementation of research projects, and applications for external funding together with colleagues at OsloMet and beyond, and with national and international partners
• teach and supervise at Bachelor's, Master’s and PhD levels, and in continuing and further education programmes
• carry out external assignment in the kindergarten (preschool) sector
• contribute to the continued development of the academic community and the Department’s study programmes
• active contribution to the development of a high-quality education
• active contribution to the development of the Department, and OsloMet in general
• carry out academic-administrative tasks

Qualification requirements:

• To be appointed to a position of Associate Professor (førsteamanuensis), a candidate must hold a doctorate degree (Norwegian PhD or equivalent) such as a PhD degree in education, early childhood education knowledge, kindergarten science or other relevant subject area. For details on the requirements for a doctorate degree in Norway, see https://www.nokut.no/en/foreign-education/nokuts-criteria-for-general-recognition-of-foreign-higher-education/.
• If there are no qualified applicants, we may consider an appointment to a temporary position as an Assistant Professor (universitetslektor), on the condition that the appointee qualifies for a permanent position within three years, (according to act: UH-loven § 6-5). Ph.D. candidates who have yet to submit their dissertations are examples of such applicants. To be appointed to a position of Assistant Professor in education one must hold a Master’s degree (or equivalent) from a university within education, special needs education or early childhood education or knowledge or equivalent major in education.
• The applicant must document relevant educational theory and practice within higher education. Applicants who are unable to document basic teaching qualifications at the time of appointment, must acquire these qualifications within two years. OsloMet offers a course on Teaching and Learning in Higher Education (UHPED), in English in collaboration with the University of Oslo, that meets this requirement.
• Proficiency in oral and written English is required. Applicants who do not have adequate proficiency in a Scandinavian language, must acquire Norwegian skills corresponding to at least level B2 within three years of commencement. 

General criteria for appointments to academic positions are found in the Regulations for appointment and promotion to academic posts.

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

• research and development work of relevance to the position, with particular attention to and emphasis on publications from the past six years
• experience with research networks and externally funded projects
• potential for project acquisition
• teaching and supervision experience at college and university level
• experience with external assignments and can show good results
• knowledge, interest and commitment to quality development with the field of Early Childhood Education and Care and in the kindergarten (preschool) sector
• knowledge of or experience with the kindergarten (preschool) sector
• good digital skills
• good communication skills and the ability to collaborate with students and colleagues
• personal qualities that can contribute positively to the working environment 

The last four criteria for assessment and ranking will be assessed in conjunction with trial lecture, interview and feedback from references. 

Position B

Tasks and responsibilities:

• carry out external assignment in the kindergarten (preschool) sector
• teach and supervise at Bachelor's and Master’s levels, and in continuing and further education programmes
• maintain contact and cooperation with the field of practice, in relation with the student’s placement periods
• contribute to the continued development of the academic community and the department’s study programmes
• implement research and development work, publication and presentation of research results
• participate in development and implementation of research projects internally, and together with national and international partners
• active contribution to the development of a high-quality education
• active contribution to the development of the department, and OsloMet in general
• carry out academic-administrative tasks

Qualification requirements:

• To be appointed to a position of Associate Professor (førstelektor), a candidate must hold a Master’s degree or equivalent degree in education, special needs education, early childhood education or other relevant major in education. In addition, documentation of research and development work corresponding in quality and scope to that required for a doctorate degree in Norway. For details on the requirements for a doctorate degree in Norway, see https://www.nokut.no/en/foreign-education/nokuts-criteria-for-general-recognition-of-foreign-higher-education/.
• If there are no qualified applicants, we may consider an appointment to a temporary position as an Assistant Professor (universitetslektor), on the condition that the appointee qualifies for a permanent position within three years, (according to act: UH-loven § 6-5). Ph.D. candidates who have yet to submit their dissertations are examples of such applicants. To be appointed to a position of Assistant Professor (universitetslektor) in education one must hold a Master’s degree (or equivalent) from a university within education, special needs education or early childhood education or knowledge or equivalent major in education.
• The applicant must document relevant educational theory and practice within higher education. Applicants who are unable to document basic teaching qualifications at the time of appointment, must acquire these qualifications within two years. OsloMet offers a course on Teaching and Learning in Higher Education (UHPED), in English in collaboration with the University of Oslo, that meets this requirement.
• Proficiency in oral and written English is required. Applicants who do not have adequate proficiency in a Scandinavian language, must acquire Norwegian skills corresponding to at least level B2 within three years of commencement. 

General criteria for appointments to academic positions are covered by the Regulations for appointment and promotion to academic posts.

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

• knowledge of / experience with the kindergarten (preschool) sector
• experience with external assignments and documentation of good results
• experience with research networks and externally funded projects
• teaching and supervision experience at college and university level
• publishing preferably recent research and development work relevant to the position
• good digital skills
• knowledge, interest and commitment to quality development with the field of Early Childhood Education and Care and in the kindergarten (preschool) sector
• good communication skills and the ability to collaborate with students and colleagues
• personal qualities that can contribute positively to the working environment 

The last four criteria for assessment and ranking will be assessed in conjunction with trial lecture, interview and feedback from references. 

OsloMet evaluates teaching qualifications in conjunction with interviews. 

It is important for OsloMet to reflect the population of our region, and all qualified candidates are welcome to apply. We make active endeavours to further develop OsloMet as an inclusive workplace and to adapt the workplace if required. If there have been periods when you have not been in work, under education or in training, you are also welcome to apply. 

Expert assessment
Applicants will be assessed by an expert committee. By the application deadline, please upload the following documents together with your application:

• CV, references and all pages of your certificates/diplomas
• A list of scientific publications
• Up to 10 scientific publications, including your PhD thesis 

You must upload all the documents in order for your application to be processed.  The documents must be in either English or a Scandinavian language. Translations must be authorised. Originals must be presented if you are invited for an interview. OsloMet checks documents 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: Ingrid Andvin Tsolakis – iats@oslomet.no 

We offer

• interesting tasks at Norway’s third largest university
• participation in research groups
• opportunities for academic development in a professional research environment
• a creative and inspiring academic environment
• interaction with the kindergarten (preschool) sector
• interaction with a diverse student group
• loan and pension arrangements through the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund
• beneficial welfare schemes and a wide range of sports and cultural offers
• free Norwegian language classes to employees
• relocation support, cultural courses and on-boarding services
• working location in downtown Oslo with multiple cultural offers 

Practical information about relocation to Oslo and living in Norway

The position is remunerated in accordance with the Norwegian State salary scale. The annual salary range for Associate Professor (førsteamanuensis, position code 1011 and førstelektor, position code 1198) is NOK 524 200 – NOK 658 300. The annual salary range for Assistant Professor (universitetslektor, position code 1009) is NOK 456 400  – NOK 594 400. Higher salaries may be considered for particularly qualified applicants. A contribution of 2% to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund is deducted from the salary. 

Other information
For further information about the position, feel free to contact:

• Head of Programme, Unn Christin Håvie, email: Unn-Christin.Havie@oslomet.no, mobile: +47 469 60 864
• Professor and section coordinator, Anne Greve, email: anne.greve@oslomet.no, mobile: +47 959 90 942

If you wish to apply for the position, please do so via our application portal.