Ph.D. Fellowship position in Initial Education - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

Ph.D. Fellowship position in Initial Education

The Faculty of Education and International Studies announces one Ph.D. fellowship affiliated with the research group Initial education at Department of Primary and Secondary Teacher Education.  The Ph.D. fellowship position is a 100% position for three years, available from 01.09.2022. The successful applicant should have the goal to complete the Ph.D. program within this time frame and receive a Ph.D. Read more about the faculty and the institute here.

The Ph.D.-candidate is to be associated with the multidisciplinary team working with initial education and the research group Initial Education. Initial education is a focus area at the Department of Primary and Secondary Teacher education, and there is a growing interest in research-based knowledge in this area both nationally and internationally.

Area of research

The Ph.D. project is meant to contribute to relevant knowledge about children’s early literacy within lower primary school. The Norwegian national curriculum (LK20) sheds light on play and inquiry-based learning and how children learn through these approaches. This is a field in need of new research-based knowledge, that in the long run can contribute to a change of teaching practice in the school. The project of the Ph.D. candidate is expected to address how play and inquiry-based learning is and can be a part of students’ literacy development. The project proposal can be directed at either the oral or the written language use during the students’ active engagement in play or inquiry-based learning.  We know that language is a central tool in all students' learning, regardless of language background, and that play and inquiry-based approaches can be a valuable entry to early literacy. Based on this, the Ph.D. candidate is expected to work with either:

a)       the development of students’ oral language and talk in the classroom connected to play and inquiry-based learning.

or:

b)      the development of students’ writing (analog and/or digital) connected to play and inquiry-based learning.

Applicants must submit a Ph.D. project description with the application based on the template available here. The Ph.D. project description must be in English or a Scandinavian language (Norwegian, Swedish, or Danish). Potential applicants are asked to get in touch with the contact person for the overall project for additional information about the project and input on the planned individual project description.

For information and advice on how to create a good Ph.D. project description, potential applicants are encouraged to attend the Ph.D. project description seminar 14.12.2021 at 14.00-15.30 via Zoom. To attend, please register via link before the registration deadline: 11.12.2021.

Required qualifications and terms:

• Successful applicants must have completed a master’s degree (equivalent to 120 credits) with a grade B or better, and in addition have a background in teacher education or other relevant education at a comparable level. For more information, see Admission requirements. Foreign diplomas must be translated into English by the degree-conferring institution. Education taken abroad should be recognised in advance by NOKUT, and an authorized copy of the letter of recognition should be enclosed.
• Either have worked in primary school or in kindergarten and/or have good knowledge of the Norwegian school context.
• Admission to the Ph.D. programme in Educational Sciences for Teacher Education is a prerequisite.
• Successful applicants must be fluent in a Scandinavian language (Norwegian, Swedish or Danish), and have excellent written and oral communication skills in English.

When assessing and ranking the qualified applicants, emphasis will be placed on:

• The scientific quality of the Ph.D. project description, including originality and potential
• The Ph.D. project's feasibility within the standard period (three years)
• The relevance of the Ph.D. project description to the overall project to which the Ph.D. proposal is linked (cf. the overview above)
• Attached scientific work
• Other relevant publications
• Experience from previous research activities and project participation
• Teaching experience at the college and university level can be an asset
• Personal qualities that can contribute positively to the working environment

Desired qualifications

• Motivation and potential in the field of research
• Good knowledge of the field of initial education
• Personal qualities that, among other things, show perseverance and the ability to complete tasks
• The ability to work independently and in collaboration with others, as well as the ability to be innovative and creative
• The ability to work systematically and under pressure

It is important for Oslo Metropolitan University to reflect the population of our region, and all qualified candidates are welcome to apply. We make active endeavours to further develop Oslo Metropolitan University 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.

We offer: 

• an exciting job opportunity at Norway’s third largest university
• participation in a dynamic and diverse academic community
• participation in an established doctoral program and a research group relevant to the Ph.D. project
• a dynamic workplace
• loan and pension arrangements with the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund
• good employee welfare arrangements

Further information:

For further information about the position, please contact:

• Head of Studies Ingeborg Krange, +47 67 23 70 71, e-mail: ingkra@oslomet.no
• Professor Margareth Sandvik, +47 410 31 924, e-mail: margares@oslomet.no  

The salary for the Ph.D. fellowship position is in accordance with the pay scale for Norwegian state employees, job title Ph.D. and position code 1017. State salary wage scale 54, 491 200,- NOK per year.

Expert evaluation:

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.

The following documents must be uploaded with the application by the deadline:

• CV, references, and all pages of all 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 be recognised in advance by NOKUT, and an authorized copy of the letter of recognition should be enclosed.
• Ph.D. project description: maximum of 10 pages, based on the template available here. The Ph.D. project description must be written in English or a Scandinavian language (Norwegian, Swedish, or Danish).
• Master's degree/second degree thesis (and any other scholarly work that the expert committee should take into consideration)
• List of publications, if relevant

Original documents must be presented in connection with an interview. Oslo Metropolitan University inspects documents in order to give all candidates a proper evaluation and ensure fair competition.

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

Please note that incomplete applications will not be considered. The application must state your reasons for applying and provide reasons for why you are particularly qualified for this Ph.D. fellowship position.

Practical information about relocation to Oslo and living in Norway

In order to apply for the position, please apply electronically by clicking the “apply” button in the advertisement.