Position as a PhD Research Fellow in geoscience education/pedagogy available at the Department of Geosciences.
Position as a PhD Research Fellow in geoscience education/pedagogy available at the Department of Geosciences.
No one can be appointed for more than one PhD Research Fellowship period at the University of Oslo. Starting date no later than October 1, 2022.
The PhD research fellowship is a full-time position with a fixed-term period of three years. Candidates who can and want to contribute to teaching and supervision at the department may be offered an additional year of teaching-related compulsory duties in the early stages of the contract period. In this case, the appointment period will be extended to a total of four years, where compulsory duties will be spread out over the full contract period, averaging 25% per year.
Geoscience students as partners in higher education
The advertised position is one of five PhD positions in geoscience education/pedagogy at The Centre for Excellence in Higher Education iEarth. The five positions are located at the different iEarth partners: University of Oslo, University of Bergen, University of Tromsø and the University Centre in Svalbard (UNIS).
iEarth aims to transform the geoscience education in Norway to meet the societal challenges of the Anthropocene (e.g. in climate, energy, geohazards, environment and resources). This is done in collaboration with our students within the Students as Partners framework, and our staff through research-based geoscience teaching development and the use of Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL). It will require an increased focus on an Earth System Science perspective and sustainable development, the use of authentic and ill-structured problems and collaboration with partners outside higher education.
The iEarth educational research group develops, initiates, supports and evaluates iEarth activities. It currently consists of five iEarth PhD Research Fellows, 1 post doctoral researcher, and several associate professors and professors with a variety of pedagogic, science education and geoscience backgrounds. The members are located at different universities, primarily in Nordic countries, and meet regularly on- and offline.
More about the position
The advertised PhD-position will be working at the Department of Geoscience at the University of Oslo. iEarth works for greater student involvement and uses Students as partners (SaP) as a framework to initiate, support and strengthen student involvement in their education. Students as partners is a relatively new field, originating in work in the UK, USA, Australia, and Canada. It challenges the traditional role of students in higher education, with the goal of involving students as partners throughout the educational process. Studies show benefits to both students, staff and departments, but it is challenging for organisations and their participants to rethink established roles, expectations and ways of interacting.
The successful applicant will participate actively in supporting the SaP culture / program, and research aspects of the work. Research projects will depend on the interests of the successful applicant. Potential topics include, but are not limited to: investigating promising practices for developing student agency and voice in Nordic geoscience higher education; student and staff identities and participation in SaP projects; students as change agents in higher education; SaP practices and inclusivity, or how SaP can be paired with Scholarship of Teaching and Learning to change our understanding and performance of teaching and learning practices.
Qualification requirements
The Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences has a strategic ambition to be among Europe’s leading communities for research, education and innovation. Candidates for these fellowships will be selected in accordance with this, and expected to be in the upper segment of their class with respect to academic credentials.
- Applicants must hold a master’s degree or equivalent education in geoscience (geology, geophysics, physical geography, meteorology, oceanography, climate science), or Earth System Science, or science education/pedagogy, or must submit their master’s thesis in one of the above areas for assessment in the spring of 2022. It is a condition of employment that the master’s degree is awarded.
- Degrees completed outside Norway must correspond to a minimum of four years in the Norwegian educational system.
- Experience from geoscience and science education is an advantage.
- Applicants must have fluent oral and written communication skills in English.
- Knowledge of a Scandinavian language is an advantage.
- Experience from active work in student organisations and similar is an advantage.
- Teaching experience is an advantage.
Candidates without a Master’s degree have until the 31th of July, 2022, to complete the final exam.
Grade requirements:
The norm is as follows:
- the average grade point for courses included in the Bachelor’s degree must be C or better in the Norwegian educational system
- the average grade point for courses included in the Master’s degree must be B or better in the Norwegian educational system
- the Master’s thesis must have the grade B or better in the Norwegian educational system
- Fluent oral and written communication skills in English, preferably also is a Scandinavian language
- English requirements for applicants from outside of EU/ EEA countries and exemptions from the requirements:
https://www.mn.uio.no/english/research/phd/regulations/regulations.html#toc8
Personal skills
- The candidate is able to work independently and in a structured manner.
- Good collaborative skills are important as the candidate will work in close collaboration with students and staff.
- Personal suitability.
The purpose of the fellowship is research training leading to the successful completion of a PhD degree.
The fellowship requires admission to the PhD programme at the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences. The application to the PhD programme must be submitted to the department no later than two months after taking up the position. For more information see:
http://www.uio.no/english/research/phd/
http://www.mn.uio.no/english/research/phd/
We offer
- Salary NOK 491 200 – 534 400 per annum depending on qualifications and seniority as PhD Research Fellow (position code 1017)
- Attractive welfare benefits and a generous pension agreement
- Vibrant international academic environment
- Career development programmes
- Oslo’s family-friendly surroundings with their rich opportunities for culture and outdoor activities
How to apply
The application must include
- A cover letter of your research interests and motivation for applying for the position.
- CV (summarizing education, positions and academic work).
- Copies of the original Bachelor and Master’s degree diploma, and transcripts of records.
- Documentation of English proficiency.
- List of any publications and academic work that the applicant wishes to be considered by the evaluation committee.
- Names and contact details of 2 references (name, capacity in which they are known to the candidate [e.g. lecturer, thesis supervisor, employer], e-mail and telephone number).
The application with attachments must be delivered in our electronic recruiting system, please follow the link “apply for this job”. Foreign applicants are advised to attach an explanation of their University’s grading system. Please note that all documents should be in English (or a Scandinavian language).
Applicants may be called in for an interview.
Formal regulations
Please see the guidelines and regulations for appointments to Research Fellowships at the University of Oslo.
No one can be appointed for more than one PhD Research Fellowship period at the University of Oslo.
According to the Norwegian Freedom of Information Act (Offentleglova) information about the applicant may be included in the public applicant list, also in cases where the applicant has requested non-disclosure.
The appointment may be shortened/given a more limited scope within the framework of the applicable guidelines on account of any previous employment in academic positions.
The University of Oslo has an agreement for all employees, aiming to secure rights to research results etc.
Inclusion and diversity are a strength. The University of Oslo has a personnel policy objective of achieving a balanced gender composition. Furthermore, we want employees with diverse professional expertise, life experience and perspectives.
If there are qualified applicants with disabilities, employment gaps or immigrant background, we will invite at least one applicant from each of these categories to an interview.
Contact information
Mattias Lundmark phone: +47 22856686, e-mail: a.m.lundmark@geo.uio.no
Karianne S. Lilleøren, phone: +47 22855647, e-mail: k.s.lilleoren@geo.uio.no
For questions regarding the recruitment system, please contact HR Adviser Ole Rustad, phone:+47 22851387, e-mail: ole.rustad@mn.uio.no
About the University of Oslo
The University of Oslo is Norway’s oldest and highest rated institution of research and education with 28 000 students and 7000 employees. Its broad range of academic disciplines and internationally esteemed research communities make UiO an important contributor to society.
The geosciences are the studies of the planet Earth and its comparative planetology; the atmosphere, the hydrosphere and cryosphere, the Earth’s surface and its interior. The Department of Geosciences conducts research and teaching in most of the domains of geoscience; geology, geophysics, physical geography, geomatics, hydrology, meteorology and oceanography. The Department is the broadest geoscience research and education environment in Norway. The Department encompasses five sections; Meteorology and Oceanography, Geography and Hydrology, Geology and Geophysics, Physics of Geological Processes (Njord centre) and one Centre of Excellence CEED – Centre of Earth Evolution and Dynamics.
The Department aims to contribute to the new and important UN Sustainability Development Goals. The staff consists of 40 professors and associate professors, in addition to postdoctoral fellows, PhD students, researchers, technical- and administrative staff. Approximately number of employees are 240 at the Department.