Job description
Applications are invited for a fully funded Postdoctoral Fellowship to be based at the Department of Teacher Education and School Research, University of Oslo. The position is linked to the project Co-constructing mathematics motivation in primary education. A longitudinal study in six European countries (MATHMot), which is funded by a grant from the Research Council of Norway (Principal Investigator: Jelena Radišić).
Primary objective of the MATHMot project is to identify factors affecting the development of motivation in mathematics in primary education using a comparative perspective. MATHMot focuses on: (a) students’ background characteristics and the home environment that contribute to the development of motivation and mathematics competence, differentiating effects of gender and SES; (b) relevant policies at national/school level and teaching practices supporting development of motivation and competence in mathematics; (c) different profiles of students reflecting their motivation in math, background characteristics and mathematics competence. More about the MATHMot project, see website or www.mathmot.com.
Foto: Colourbox
More about the position
The appointment is a fulltime position and is made for a period of two years. Position start date is September 1st 2022, ending August 31st 2024. We welcome applicants who are able to demonstrate motivation and qualifications to participate in the different stages of research from the data collection to the dissemination of research findings and collaborate with a large international group within MATHMot. The MATHMot project is situated within the research group Large-scale Educational Assessment (LEA).
Taking both an educational and a developmental perspective, MATHMot investigates factors affecting development of motivation in mathematics from an international viewpoint. The study will be conducted in primary school grades 3 and 4 (wave 1 in spring 2022) and the set of indicators in focus will be captured one year later with the same students, in grades 4 and 5 respectively (wave 2 in spring 2023) as to deepen our understanding on how motivation related to mathematics develops. Wave 1 and 2 instruments capture students’ mathematics motivation, academic emotions, math competence and perception of supportive practices at home and in school.
These are combined with a parent survey (measuring background, beliefs, and home practices) in wave 1 and information from the math teacher both in waves 1 and 2 (i.e. teacher background, beliefs, classroom practices). Data will be collected in six European countries in 50 schools (one classroom per school) sampling around 1,000 students per grade in each country, controlling for students’ background characteristics (e.g., gender, socio-economic status, home learning environment), while capturing reported classroom practices through surveys and later focus groups with teachers (wave 3). The countries included in the study are Estonia, Finland, Norway, Portugal, Sweden and Serbia. The project aims to generate new knowledge about the nature and development of motivation in mathematics and its role relative to students’ competence, and contribute to advancing teacher capacities in supporting positive student attributions towards mathematics at an early age.
The main purpose of the fellowship is to qualify researchers for work in higher academic positions within their disciplines.
Qualifications and personal skills
The following qualifications will count in the assessment of the applicants:
- Applicants must hold a degree equivalent to a Norwegian doctoral degree in relevant fields such as education, mathematics education and psychology (focus on educational or developmental psychology) or other related fields. The doctoral dissertation must be submitted for evaluation by the closing date. Appointment is dependent on the public defence of the doctoral thesis being approved.
- Previous experience with collecting and analysing large (longitudinal) datasets
- Previous experience with statistical analysis in Mplus and SPSS (knowledge of R package is an advantage)
- Fluent oral and written communication skills in English is required
The following qualifications are advantageous:
- Knowledge and experience with theories of motivation and emotions in educational setting
- Experience with qualitative analysis (using for example MaxQda, NVivo)
- Fluent oral and written communication skills in Norwegian (or another Scandinavian language)
We offer
- Salary NOK 544 400 – 626 300 per annum depending on qualifications in position as Postdoctoral Research Fellow (position code 1352)
- A professionally stimulating working environment
- Attractive welfare benefits and a generous pension agreement, in addition to Oslo’s family-friendly environment with its rich opportunities for culture and outdoor activities
How to apply
The application must include:
- Application letter with a brief statement of interest, summarizing the candidate’s main research experience and interests.
- A research agenda statement (maximum 2,000 words not including references). This document should briefly summarize how the applicant will contribute to the project and related research goals that the candidate would like to pursue during the fellowship, taking into account the type of data collected in the project.
- A CV including education, positions, research experience, administrative experience and other qualifying activity.
- Academic transcripts (university degrees only).
- Copy of PhD diploma or documentation of thesis submission. Applicants who have not yet defended their PhD dissertation need to include an advisor’s letter confirming specific expectations about when the degree will be received.
- A complete list of publications.
- Up to 3 academic works that the applicant wishes to be considered (which can include preprints).
- List of reference persons: 2-3 references (name, relation to candidate, e-mail and phone number)
The application with attachments must be delivered in our electronic recruiting system. Please follow the link “apply for this job”.
The application must be written in English. Please note that all documents should be in English. Foreign applicants are advised to attach an explanation of their University’s grading system.
In assessing the applications, special emphasis will be placed on academic qualifications, the candidate’s motivation, and personal suitability. Interviews will be performed as part of the selection process.
Formal regulations
Please see the guidelines and regulations for appointments to Postdoctoral fellowships at the University of Oslo.
No one can be appointed for more than one Postdoctoral Fellow 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.
Inclusion and diversity are a strength. The University of Oslo has a personnel policy objective of achieving a balanced gender composition. We also want to have employees with diverse expertise, combinations of subjects, life experience and perspectives. We will make adjustments for employees who require this.
If there are qualified applicants with special needs, gaps in their CVs or immigrant backgrounds, we will invite at least one applicant in each of these groups to an interview.
Contact information
Project leader Dr. Jelena Radisic
About the University of Oslo
The University of Oslo is Norway’s oldest and highest ranked educational and research institution, with 28 000 students and 7500 employees. With its broad range of academic disciplines and internationally recognised research communities, UiO is an important contributor to society.
The Department of Teacher Education and School Research (ILS) is one of three departments at The Faculty of Educational Sciences at the University of Oslo.
ILS is a leading institution in the fields of subject didactics, school leadership and practice-relevant school research. It hosts Norway’s first Centre of Excellence in Education, ProTed – a joint project between the University of Oslo and the University of Tromsø.
EKVA (Unit for quantitative analysis in education) is also part of the department, as well as four interfaculty research groups (CLEG, TEPEC, SISCO and LEA).
The Department enrols 400 students in the Teacher Education Programme (PPU) and administers the university’s Graduate Teacher Education Programme (Lektorprogrammet) with about 300 new students each year. About 200 students follow the Master Programme in Educational Leadership. ILS also manages the study programme Teach First Norway in cooperation with the City of Oslo Education Agency and Equinor.
The Department of Teacher Education and School Research has approximately 40 administrative and 100 academic staff.