Location
Nord University
Global challenges demand new insight, innovative solutions and local legitimacy. Nord University is a young university with strong regional ties and a global perspective. We are committed to delivering relevant educational programmes and research, with a focus on blue and green growth, innovation and entrepreneurship, and welfare, health and education. Nord University has 12,000 students and 1,400 employees at nine study locations in central and northern Norway.
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 Professional Praxis. 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
At Nord University, Faculty of Teacher Education, Aesthetic and Cultural Disciplines, study location Bodø, there is currently a vacant, temporary position as a research fellow in the study of professional praxis focusing on the didactics of mathematics. The position is affiliated with the "Mathematics teaching and learning" research group.
The term of employment is three years without mandatory duties, alternatively four years with 25% mandatory duties per year. The office location for the position is Bodø.
Nord University’s academic community is distributed over several campuses, providing ample opportunity for cooperation, irrespective of geographical location. Residence is obligatory for the position.
The fellowship is a research position aimed at completing a PhD thesis. The position is meant to contribute to the development of new theoretical and empirical knowledge pertaining to professional praxis.
The PhD fellow will be affiliated with the research project “Mathematics Opportunities for Deep Learning - MODEL Project”, which investigates through empirical studies of textbooks, teachers’ practices, and students’ competences, in connection with development work done together with educators in primary school, how the quality of education in primary school can be improved by offering students opportunities for developing mathematical reasoning skills in the domain of early algebra. The project group is associated with a broad network of national and international researchers.
The training component of the study amounts to a total of 30 credits. In addition, a scientific dissertation must be written and published in the form of a compendium of articles. The dissertation must be written in English.
It is a prerequisite that the successful applicant gains admission to the faculty's PhD programme.
The final outline 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 doctoral study has not been confirmed by this deadline, if no annual progress reports are submitted, and/or in the event of serious lack of progress in academic work and in mandatory duties.
It is expected that the appointee will actively participate in the academic community, the relevant research group, and in international conferences. It is possible that during the PhD project the candidate will spend some time for studying abroad.
The work of the PhD is aimed to contribute towards strengthen the scientific knowledge base for the study of professional praxis and at the same time strengthen the scientific knowledge base for professional performance within the professions encompassed in the programme.
The PhD study programme will qualify the student for research activities at a high scientific level and for other work demanding scientific insight and knowledge about the application of scientific methods.
Through the PhD study programme, PhD students are expected to acquire academic depth and breadth in the cross-disciplinary area of studies of professional praxis, and be able to place the discipline in a broader societal context. The various doctoral assignments are to be high-level academic contributions to both the professional praxis and to society in general.
The output of the PhD research is expected to put new topics on the agenda, and to contribute to the development of new knowledge, both theoretical and empirical, for the professional praxis.
Read more about professional praxis as a subject area on our website.
Qualification requirements
- The candidate should have an masterdegree (or equivalent) in the didactics of mathematics or adapted teaching focusing on mathematics or, alternatively, a master's degree in mathematics or an adjoining subject and approved teacher education, or the equivalent.For admission to the PhD study programme on professional praxis, an average grade of B or better (ECTS scale from A-E) is required from the master's degree.
- It is a prerequisite that the applicant is proficient in Norwegian, Swedish or Danish, both written and oral. In addition, a good command of written and oral English is required for this position.
Emphasis will be placed on the following when assessing and ranking qualified applicants
- Evidence of the applicant's interest in improving the quality primary school mathematics education by offering students opportunities for developing mathematical reasoning skills in the domain of early algebra.
- Experience in research work, including disseminating and publishing it.
- The applicant’s view on becoming a PhD student.
- The applicant’s motive(s) for applying for the position.
We offer
The salary for the position is governed by the Norwegian government wage scale, fellowship code 1017, salary code 20, minimum step 54, NOK 482,200.
In special cases, can position code 1378 and higher salaries be considered.
- Good loan, insurance, and pension plan in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund
- Creative and collegial working environment
- A continually evolving workplace
- Flexible working hours
- Active Enterprise Sports Team
General Information
The successful applicant must abide by the relevant laws, agreements and instructions that apply for the position. We reserve the right to make changes to the responsibilities and area of work associated with the position that may result from future organizational development and reorganization at Nord University.
The government labour force shall reflect the diversity of the population whenever possible. Nord University therefore encourages qualified candidates with disabilities, gaps in their CVs, immigrant backgrounds or alternative educational, work and life experiences to apply. The university has a moderate gender quota policy in accordance with the local adjustment agreement which falls under the Basic Agreement for the Norwegian Civil Service.
Any information about impaired functional abilities or gaps in CVs may be used for anonymised registration purposes.
Contact
For further information about the MODEL project and the position, kindly contact::
- Professor Marja van den Heuvel-Panhuizen, m.vandenheuvel-panhuizen@nord.no
- Director of Studies Gisle Pettersen, Tlf. 75 51 77 77 gisle.i.pettersen@nord.no
Application process
Applicants will be assessed by an expert committee.
Successful applicants will be summoned for an interview, sample lecture or other presentation.
Applications
Application is to be sent electronically by April 18th 2021 The online application shall include:
- A cover letter with a description of your motive(s) for applying for the position and details about your interest in and approach to the MODEL project
- Complete CV (education, work and teaching experience and a list of any scientific publications) Certified copies of diplomas from your bachelor's and master's studies and relevant testimonials
- Project description 3-5 pages in length in which you account for the idea for your PhD project, theoretical foundation and methodical approach The project outline should include a progress plan.
- A plan for how you think the fellowship period will be applied.
- Name and contact information for 1-3 references (name, your relationship to the person, e-mail and phone number)
- Other activity considered relevant to the position and that you wish to be taken into consideration
- Signed form giving your consent to having your foreign education assessed (if applicable)
All documentation must be uploaded as attachments to the online application.
It is the applicant's responsibility to submit complete documentation electronically by the application deadline.
Following expiry of the application deadline, a public list of applicants will be prepared. Please note that information about the applicant may be published even after the applicant has expressed a desire to be omitted from the list of applicants. Applicants who nevertheless request confidential processing must justify this specifically in their application. In such cases, applicants will be notified prior to publication.
Ref. no. 30070689