Faculty of Education and International Studies, Department of Early Childhood 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 Early Childhood Education has several strong research communities that contribute to research-based knowledge with relevance for the challenges faced by society in the field of early childhood education. The Department’s study programmes are developed in close cooperation with the field of practical training, and through research and innovation projects. The Department offers several bachelor’s degrees and a master’s degree in early childhood education, as well as continuing and further education.

There are vacant up to two, permanent full-time positions as Associate Professor (førsteamanuensis or førstelektor) of sports science with an emphasis on nature, health and movement at the Department of Early Childhood Education at the Faculty of Education and International Studies from 1 January 2022.         

The Department of Early Childhood Education has approximately 2000 students and 115 academic staff members and is located at the Oslo Metropolitan University campus in the centre of Oslo. The department offers a bachelor programme in Early Childhood Education and Care, a M. Phil. programme in Early Childhood Education, courses taught in English, as well as further and continuing education programmes. The faculty offers a Ph.D. programme. The department collaborates extensively with kindergartens and other institutions relevant to our work.

The position is affiliated with the section for physical education, which works closely with the science section in the bachelor program in Early Childhood Education in connection with the subject areas “Nature, health, and physical activity”, as well as in several other areas. Relevant interdisciplinary competence includes didactics, views of nature, outdoor education and sustainability, also in the context of urban environments.

Read more about the faculty and the department: here
Read more about our research groups: here

Duties:

  • teach and supervise at the bachelor's, master’s and, if relevant, Ph.D. levels, as well as in continuing and further education programmes
  • follow up students in practical training
  • initiate and carry out research and development
    The profile of the faculty is teacher education, so profession-oriented research and development work is emphasised. It is important that the appointed candidate is willing to focus on research that is relevant to professional practice and explores issues related to nature, environment and movement in kindergartens and in the transition between kindergarten and school.
  • initiate and participate in the development of major research projects and applications for external funding in collaboration with colleagues
  • seek out and actively collaborate with national and international research partners
  • contribute to the further development of the academic community and the department’s study programmes linked to the areas of sustainable development and urban childhood
  • disseminate research results to the international academic community and society in general
  • contribute to the development of high-quality education
  • carry out academic administrative tasks

Required qualifications:

  • To be appointed to a position of Associate Professor (førsteamanuensis), a candidate must hold a doctorate degree such as a Ph.D. degree in sports science, with a focus on nature, health and movement or the equivalent.
  • To be appointed to a position of Associate Professor (førstelektor), a candidate must hold a graduate degree in sports science, with a focus on nature, health and movement or the equivalent, meeting the requirements at least equivalent to that of a master’s degree as specified by NOKUT. For details, see https://www.nokut.no/en/foreign-education/nokuts-criteria-for-general-recognition-of-foreign-higher-education/. In addition, documentation of research and development work corresponding in quality and scope to that required for a doctorate degree, is required.
  • If there are not sufficiently appropriately qualified applicants to fill the vacant positions with persons meeting the requirements for the title of Associate Professor (førsteamanuensis / førstelektor), applicants may be appointed to the position of Assistant Professor (universitetslektor), on the condition that the appointee qualifies for a permanent position as Associate Professor (førsteamanuensis / førstelektor), within three years (according to UH-loven § 6-5).
    In this case, applicants who have started the process of qualifying for the position of Associate Professor (førsteamanuensis/førstelektor), such as Ph.D. candidates who have yet to submit their dissertations, will be prioritised.  Applicants with publications of high quality who may qualify for promotion to Associate Professor (førstelektor), are also encouraged to apply.
  • To be appointed to a position of Assistant Professor (universitetslektor), a candidate must have completed a master’s degree in sports science, with a focus on nature, health and movement or the equivalent from a university, university college, or the equivalent. NOKUT specifies the requirements of a degree at this level in Norway: https://www.nokut.no/en/foreign-education/nokuts-criteria-for-general-recognition-of-foreign-higher-education/
  • Applicants must be able to document relevant educational theory and practice qualifications. Applicants who are unable to document basic teaching qualifications upon appointment, must acquire these qualifications within two years. Oslo Metropolitan University offers a course on Teaching and Learning in Higher Education (UHPED), in English, 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 after starting in the position.

In the assessment and ranking of qualified applicants, emphasis will be placed on:

  • research and development work of relevance to the position
    Emphasis will be placed on publications from the past six years.
  • experience with research networks and externally funded projects
  • potential for project acquisition
  • experience with teaching and supervision at the bachelor’s and master’s levels
  • teaching skills
  • knowledge of and/or experience with subject didactics, views of nature, outdoor education and sustainability, also related to the urban environment.
  • digital proficiency, including experience with student-active and digital learning tools
  • the ability to communicate and collaborate with students and colleagues
  • personal qualities that can contribute positively to the working environment
  • good oral and written presentation skills in a Scandinavian language and English

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

Oslo Metropolitan University tests teaching qualifications through trial lectures held in connection with interviews.

Oslo Metropolitan University strives to ensure that our employees reflect the diversity of the population of the region. We work continuously to further develop Oslo Metropolitan University as an inclusive workplace, and to adapt the workplace if required. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates, also those who have experienced periods without work, education or training. 

Application process:

The following documents must be uploaded before the deadline:

  • application letter
  • CV
  • all pages of certificates and diplomas
  • complete list of publications
  • up to ten scholarly works and an overview of them, including your Ph.D. dissertation if relevant
  • two references with contact information

All documents must be uploaded in order for your application to be processed. The documents must be in a Scandinavian language or English. Translations must be government authorised, and originals must be presented in connection with interviews. Oslo Metropolitan University checks documents in order to ensure a proper evaluation of all candidates and ensure fair competition. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Applicants will be assessed by an expert committee. All applications will be reviewed by the faculty before the application papers are forwarded to the expert committee. Applications from applicants who are not qualified, will not be forwarded for assessment.

If you have documents that cannot be uploaded electronically, please contact Ingrid Andvin Tsolakis: iats@oslomet.no

We offer: 

  • an exciting job opportunity at Norway’s third largest university
  • participation in a dynamic and diverse academic community
  • opportunities for professional development
  • time for profession-oriented research and development
  • loan and pension arrangements with the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund
  • beneficial welfare schemes and a wide range of sports and cultural offers
  • Norwegian language classes for employees (free of charge)

Practical information about relocation to Oslo and living in Norway

Further information:

For further information about the position, please contact:

  • Head of department Torgeir Alvestad, mobile: +47 415 65 546/
    E-mail: Torgeir.Alvestad@oslomet.no
  • Associate Professor Anikke Hagen, mobile: +47 975 65 158/
    E-mail: anikke.hagen@oslomet.no

The salary for the position is in accordance with the pay scale for state employees:

The annual salary range for Associate Professor (førsteamanuensis, position code 1011 or førstelektor, position code 1198) is NOK 535 200 – NOK 694 400. The annual salary range for Assistant Professor, position code 1009 is NOK 458 900 –NOK 597 000. A higher salary may be considered for particularly qualified applicants. A contribution of 2% to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund is deducted from the salary.

To apply for the position, please apply electronically by clicking the button at the bottom of the page.

Type of employment Permanent position
Contract type Full time
First day of employment 01.01.2022
Salary Annual salary NOK 458 900 – NOK 694 400.
Number of positions 1
Full-time equivalent 100 %
City Oslo
County Oslo
Country Norway
Reference number 21/03616
Contact
  • Torgeir Alvestad, Torgeir.Alvestad@oslomet.no, +47 415 65 546
  • Anikke Hagen, anikke.hagen@oslomet.no, +47 975 65 158
Published 01.Jun.2021
Last application date 22.Jun.2021 11:59 PM CEST

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