PhD candidate
Applications are invited for a full-time position as a PhD research fellow at the Centre for Educational Measurement at the University of Oslo (CEMO) within the subject areas of educational assessment and measurement.
Description
The proposed PhD position is attached to the research project "Educational assessments of the 21st century: Measuring and understanding students' adaptability in complex problem solving situations (ADAPT21)" that is funded by the Norwegian Research Council. This is a fully-funded (100%), three-year position with a possible extension to four years.
The project is aimed at developing and validating an innovative computer-based assessment (CBA) of students’ ability to deal with novelty, changes, and uncertainty in complex problem-solving situations – an ability that is referred to as “adaptability” or “flexibility”. Given the rapid development of modern information and communication technology in our society, adaptability has become as important as never before, particularly in the domain of science. The project will generate new knowledge about students’ adaptability as a key skill in 21st century education and contribute to the area of educational assessment and measurement.
We particularly welcome proposals that are linked to the above mentioned goals and to the development of CBAs of 21st century skills.
Selected responsibilities:
- Applicants are supposed to conduct self-contained research targeted at receiving a PhD in education (cumulative dissertation based on scientific, peer-reviewed publications).
- Development of a computer-based assessment of students’ adaptability
- Data analysis, documentation, and publication of results in international, peer-reviewed journals and at scientific conferences
- Limited administrative responsibilities within the project and CEMO (e.g., coordination of data collection)
- Work on these tasks in collaboration with the project group
The appointment is a fulltime position and is made for a period of up to three years with a possible extension to four years . If four years the position will entail a compulsory work load of 25%.
The appointment may be given a more limited scope within the framework of the applicable guidelines on account of any previous employment in academic positions.
Research fellowship positions are defined as recruitment posts and represent an important instrument in the sector’s work of generating qualified applicants for other posts at universities and university colleges as well as outside in the long-term perspective
The doctoral candidate is expected to participate actively in the organized research training and in the Faculty’s research community.
Qualification requirements
Candidates’ profile:
- Completed Master’s degree in an area of relevance to educational measurement, educational technology, educational psychology, or related fields.
- Good knowledge of and interest in test development and educational measurement; preferably prior experience, for example in the context of the Master thesis
- Preferably interest and knowledge of computer-based assessments, problem solving, or educational technology
- Willingness to travel nationally and internationally
- Ability to work both independently and collaboratively with a strong personal commitment
Applicants must satisfy the formal requirements for admission to the Faculty’s PhD programme. This normally includes:
- Documented successful completion of a Master's degree program (normally equivalent to a Norwegian two years' MA degree/ECTS 120 credits), or a similar higher education program, in both cases with thesis, and within relevant and accepted subject areas.
- Documented result of the masters' degree required: Minimum grade B or equivalent (ECTS grading scale) including the grade on the thesis.
In the assessment of applications, emphasis will be put on:
- The applicant’s academic attitude for completing the research training programme.
- The project description that outlines the candidate’s ideas for self-contained research that directly contributes to the ADAPT21 project and is submitted along with the application.
- The applicant’s personal suitability and motivation for the post, including his/her ability to collaborate and to form part of a cross-disciplinary academic community.
- Other qualifications (as listed above) that meet the objectives which form the basis of this type of post.
Good English language skills and a strong willingness to learn Norwegian are required.
It is expected that an extended draft of the research to be carried out is developed in agreement with the projectleader within the first three months on this job. This draft will serve as a basis for acceptance into the faculty's PhD program.
What we offer
This is an opportunity to work at an established and international research unit which conducts basic research in educational measurement and applied research in early childhood, secondary, and higher education. Employment at CEMO will give the successful candidate the opportunity to work in a highly cross-disciplinary field in an internationally competitive research group with a high degree of international and national collaboration. In this project, the PhD candidate will closely collaborate with the research group “Computer-Based Assessment” that is led by Associate Professor Dr. Samuel Greiff at the University of Luxembourg. Short-term research visits to Luxembourg or other project partners will be supported. CEMO provides an academically stimulating and positive working environment.
The Faculty of Educational Sciences offers a structured doctoral program in which PhD candidates are trained in various fields of educational science, including methodology and research in substantive areas.
Salary in line with pay grades 50–57 (NOK 432 700–486 100 per annum). Doctoral research fellows are normally allocated pay grade 50 on appointment. The position as a research fellow is remunerated according to the Norwegian State salary scale.
How to apply
The application must be submitted electronically and must include the following:
- A cover letter
- An outline of potential research studies leading up to the dissertation (3-5 pages). The description of these studies should include the research question to be examined, the methods to be applied, and information about how much experience with these methods exist. These studies must directly contribute to the ADAPT21 project.
- Documentation of the earlier education (diplomas, transcripts, information of the University’s grading system)
- The completed application form for admission to the doctoral degree program
- An electronic version of the Master’s thesis and any other academic works that may be of relevance to the application. If the thesis has been written in languages other than English, a short executive summary in English (1-2 pages) needs to be handed in. The grade of the Master thesis must be clearly indicated.
- A curriculum vitae that also includes an overview of any previously published academic/scientific works.
- 1-2 references with contact information or letters of reference (e.g., Master’s thesis supervisors)
Applicants from countries outside the Nordic countries where English is not the official language must attach a TOEFL test with a minimum score of 550 (paper-based test) or 80 (internet-based test) unless they have a diploma from a university in an English-speaking country.
Incomplete applications will in normal circumstances not be assessed.
As a rule, interviews will be conducted as part of the appointment process. At the interview the applicant will be asked to present original diplomas and grade transcripts from previous courses of study. These should sent us from the universities from which they obtained their degrees.
Further information on the position can be obtained from Postdoctoral Researcher Ronny Scherer (ronny.scherer@cemo.uio.no) or Senior Adviser Anne-Catherine Lehre (a.c.w.g.lehre@cemo.uio.no).
Formal regulations
Positions as research fellows are fixed-term educational posts where the aim is that the research fellow completes a doctoral degree (PhD) during the period of employment. A prerequisite for the employment is admission to the Faculty’s doctoral degree program, and applicants’ formal and other qualifications for admission therefore also be assessed.
The University of Oslo has an Acquisition of Rights Agreement for all employees for the purpose of securing intellectual property rights to research results etc. Pursuant to section 25, paragraph 2 of the Norwegian Freedom of Information Act, information about the applicant may be included in the public applicant list even though the applicant has requested non-disclosure. The University of Oslo also aims to recruit more individuals with an immigrant background to academic positions. Candidates with an immigrant background are encouraged to apply.
For more information please click "Further Official Information" below.
This opportunity has expired. It was originally published here:
http://uio.easycruit.com/vacancy/1783567/98343?iso=no