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Through robust and close interaction with the world around us – globally, nationally and locally – we shall be instrumental in building a society based on knowledge, skills and attitudes.
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PhD Research Fellow in Biology Education Research
There is a vacancy for a PhD Research Fellow in Discipline-Based Education Research (DBER) at the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Bergen. The position is for a fixed-term period of 3 years with the possibility of a 4 th year with compulsory other work (e.g. teaching duties at the Department).
About the project/work tasks:
We are seeking to fill a PhD position in Discipline-Based Education Research. The PhD candidate will focus on evidence-based assessment in higher education in Norway and the US, specifically addressing the following questions and topics:
- How do STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) instructors in Norwegian higher education make decisions regarding assessment in their courses? What factors drive these decisions?
- How do the impacts of an in-class test-anxiety intervention vary across institution types?
- Evidence-based assessment. The specific topic to be mutually agreed upon between the candidate and supervisor. Options include studying impacts of assessment changes in Norwegian STEM Higher Education, focusing on student perceptions of different assessment strategies, studying assessment strategies from an equity lens etc.
The fellow will be housed in the Department of Biological Sciences (BIO) and will join a growing DBER community through several networks for excellence in higher education (e.g. Centres for Excellence in Education – SFUs) in Norway, including SFU bioCEED – Centre for Excellence Biology Education hosted by the Department of Biological Sciences. The fellow will be supervised by Professor Sehoya Cotner, in BIO and Centre Leader for bioCEED.
Qualifications and personal qualities:
- Applicants must hold a master’s degree or equivalent education in Biology or similar natural science (e.g., Environmental Science, Physiology, Ecology), or a field otherwise relevant for DBER (e.g. pedagogy, teacher education, didactics, social science psychology). If your degree is outside STEM/natural science your education must include some courses within these disciplines. Master students can apply provided they have submitted the master’s thesis for assessment prior to the application deadline. It is a condition of employment that the master’s degree has been awarded.
- Some experience in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) teaching and learning (as a Teaching Assistant, Tutor, etc.) or STEM-education research is a requirement.
- Some experience in educational development and analysis of higher education, teaching, quantitative and/or qualitative methods, surveys and learning outcomes is an advantage.
- Ability to provide strong evidence of existing research skills and/or knowledge to match the project topic (generally, discipline-based education research/ evidence-based assessment) is an advantage.
- Teaching experience, at any level, is an advantage.
- Familiarity with R (or similar statistical package) is an advantage.
- Applicants must be able to work independently and in a structured manner and demonstrate good collaborative skills.
- Applicants must be proficient in both written and oral English.
- Applicants must have a good command of the Norwegian language.
Personal and relational qualities will be emphasized. Ambitions and potential will also count when evaluating the candidates.
About the PhD position
About the PhD Research Fellow: The fellowship will be for a period of 3 years, with the possibility for a 4th year, consisting of 25 % compulsory work (e.g. teaching responsibilities at the department) distributed over the employment period. The 4th year is contingent on the qualifications of the candidate and the teaching needs of the department and will be decided by the head of department upon appointment.
The fellow will have many opportunities for professional development, including travel opportunities, and will join an active group of scholars focusing on evidence-based STEM education.
The employment period may be reduced if you have previously been employed in a qualifying post (e.g,. research fellow, research assistant).
About the research training: As a PhD Research Fellow, you must participate in an approved educational programme for a PhD degree within a period of 3 years. The deadline for applying for admission to the PhD programme at The Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences is 2 months after you start your position or after the start of the research project that will lead to the PhD degree. It is a condition that you satisfy the admission requirements for the PhD programme at the University of Bergen
We can offer:
- a good and professionally stimulating working environment.
- salary at pay grade 54 (Code 1017/Pay range 20, alternative 10) in the state salary scale. This constitutes a gross annual salary of NOK 501 200. Further promotions are made according to length of service in the position.
- enrolment in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund.
- good welfare benefits
Your application must include:
- a brief account of the applicant’s research interests and motivation for applying for the position.
- the names and contact information for two reference persons. One of these should be the main advisor for the master’s thesis or equivalent thesis
- CV
- transcripts and diplomas showing completion of the bachelor’s and master’s degrees or equivalent. If you have not yet completed your master’s degree or equivalent, please submit a statement from your institution confirming that the master’s thesis has been submitted.
- relevant certificates/references
- approved documentation of proficiency in English (if required, cf. English language requirements for PhD admission)
- a list of any works of a scientific nature (publication list).
- any publications in your name
The application and appendices with certified translations into English or a Scandinavian language must be uploaded at Jobbnorge.
General information:
For further details about the position, please contact Sehoya Cotner, Professor, University of Bergen atsehoya.cotner@uib.no.
The state labour force shall reflect the diversity of Norwegian society to the greatest extent possible. People with immigrant backgrounds and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply for the position.
The University of Bergen applies the principle of public access to information when recruiting staff for academic positions.
Information about applicants may be made public even if the applicant has asked not to be named on the list of persons who have applied. The applicant must be notified if the request to be omitted is not met.
The successful applicant must comply with the guidelines that apply to the position at all times.
For further information about the recruitment process, click here.
Life as a PhD candidate at UiB
Marion Claireaux tells about life and work as a PhD candidate at UiB.
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About UiB
The University of Bergen is a renowned educational and research institution, organised into seven faculties and approximately 54 institutes and academic centres. Campus is located in the centre of Bergen with university areas at Nygårdshøyden, Haukeland, Marineholmen, Møllendalsveien and Årstad.
There are seven departments and several centres at Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences. Read more about the faculty and departments.