Through research, education and social engagement, Nord University contributes to the creation of a sustainable future.
In cooperation with society, business and industry in Northern and Central Norway, our 11,500 students and 1,350 staff promote innovative solutions and knowledge-based practice, both locally and internationally.
Nord University has four strategic focus areas: blue and green growth, sustainable innovation and entrepreneurship, societal security, and health, welfare and education.
The Faculty of Education and Arts (FLU) educates the teachers of the future, from kindergarten to upper secondary school and in sports and the arts subjects. Our candidates play a key role in knowledge-based development of society, both regionally and nationally. We shall contribute to developing a praxis field about which we are passionate, which is why our research approach is profession- and praxis-oriented. The Faculty offers a PhD in Science of Professions. The Faculty of Education and Arts has 3,500 students and 350 employees in Levanger, Bodø and Nesna.
Read more: Nord.no/FLU
About the position
The Faculty of Education and Arts at Nord University, in conjunction with the research group on educational games at the Faculty of Social Sciences, has a full-time vacancy for a PhD Candidate in Professional Studies with a focus on educational research into game-based learning for higher education in IT. The post is linked to the PhD programme in Professional Studies and the Learning & Technology research group. The PhD Candidate will be part of the research community on educational research through the Centre of Excellence for Education in IT, Excited, which is a collaboration between the Department of Computer Science and Information Technology at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) and the Educational Games research group at Nord University.
The main focus of the PhD project must be aimed at pedagogy, gaming, game design and gamification in education, for which it would be desirable to look at opportunities and limitations, as well as the importance of these types of didactic approaches.
The project must have a clear theoretical anchoring, as well as practical usefulness for IT in higher education.
Examples of relevant topics:
- Gamification in project-based learning
- Game-based learning as an educational method
- Game design as an educational method for the development of IT expertise, professional expertise, sustainability expertise, etc.
- The use of serious games in higher education
The position will be based in Levanger. The Excited research group is split between several campuses and collaboration between academic staff will be important, regardless of the geographical location.
The successful candidate may also be required to work at other Nord University campuses.
The position is for three years. The duration of employment can be considered to four years, including 25% required duties each year.
There is a residency requirement in the position.
Duties and responsibilities
- Development and clarification of relevant research questions
- Data collection and analysis, e.g. through action research, case studies, etc.
- Writing articles and publication of results
- Further development of research questions together with the research group
Qualification requirements
- A master’s degree in a relevant field of study is required. Applicants from outside the EU/EEA must submit NOKUT approval of their master’s degree.
- A minimum average grade of B or better is normally required
- Documentation showing that all requirements for admission to the PhD programme in Professional Studies at Nord University have been met. Please see the admission requirements: PhD in Professional Studies
- It is a prerequisite that the successful applicant gains admission to the Faculty’s PhD programme
- The final project outline, including a plan for the PhD work, must be approved and regulated by agreement no later than 3 months after appointment to the position. Termination may be considered if admission to the PhD programme is not in place before this deadline, in the event of failure to report on annual progress and/or serious shortcomings in progress and required duties
- A good command of written and spoken English is required for this position. The thesis may be written in English, Norwegian, Swedish or Danish. Applicants who are proficient in written and spoken Norwegian, Swedish or Danish will be preferred.
- The individual who is appointed should possess knowledge and expertise of pedagogy and should possess or acquire expertise in IT didactics
Qualified applicants will be ranked according to the following criteria:
- The subject and perspectives from the applicant’s master’s programme will be emphasised in the assessment of candidates
- Project outline containing a description of the project concept and implementation plans
- The applicant’s description of their motivation for their PhD work and opportunities for implementation. Relevant research experience will be an advantage
- The applicant’s motivation for applying for the position
- Personal suitability
We offer
The annual salary for doctoral researchers (code 1017) is set at wage level 54, LR 20, NOK 491 200,- in the Norwegian State Salary Scale. Suitably qualified candidates may be placed in code 1378.
- Advantages within the Government Pension Fund for borrowing, insurance and pension.
- Creative and collegial working environment
- A workplace with steady progressive development
- Flexible working hours
- Active university sports team
General information
The person who is appointed must abide by the applicable laws, agreements, and directives. The responsibilities and duties associated with the position may change with future reorganization at Nord University.
The public sector workforce is expected to reflect the diversity of the population in general. Nord University therefore encourages qualified candidates with disabilities, gaps in their CV, immigrant backgrounds or different life experience to apply. Nord University practices moderate allocation according to gender quotas in accordance with the Basic Agreement for State Employees.
If applicants indicate they have disabilities or gaps in their CV, their details may be used anonymously for the purposes of governmental annual review
Contact information
Further information about the position can be obtained by contacting :
- Associate professor Robin Isfold Munkvold, e-post: robin.munkvold@nord.no, tlf. 74 11 22 45 / 99 63 65 98
- Associate professor Line Kolås, e-post: line.kolas@nord.no, 74 112226 / 95231984
Application process
Applicants will be evaluated by an internal expert committee. Relevant applicants will be invited for an interview, trial lecture or other presentations.
The Faculty reserve the right not to hire applicants who may be scientifically qualified but who do not meet other criteria such as language, educational background or personal characteristics
Application
Applications must be submitted electronically by 28.08.2022
The application should include:
- Cover letter outlining the candidate’s motivation and suitability for the position.
- Description of the project idea, 3-5 pages, including the theoretical basis and intended methodology.
- A complete CV (education, work experience and publications).
- Certified copies of academic degree transcripts for academic degrees (both bachelor and master degree) and other relevant qualifications
- Other activity that is considered relevant, such as list of publications and academic work
- Contact details for at least two referees
- Names and contact details of 1-3 references (name, relation to candidate, e-mail and telephone number)
- Signed consent form PhD (if relevant)
All documents must be uploaded as attachments to the electronic application form.
It is the applicant’s responsibility to submit the complete documentation within the deadline.
After the application period has expired a list of applicants will be published. Note that, in special cases, the identity of particular applicants to a position may be made public even when that applicant has requested that their application be processed confidentially. Applicants requesting an exemption from publication of their identity must explain their reasons for doing so in their application. In this case, advance notice will be given in the event of a decision to make any information about the applicant public.
Refnr. 30089430