Postdoctoral fellow Special Needs Education and Inclusive Practice at the University of Oslo

Job description

Applicants are invited for a 4 year position as Postdoctoral Fellow within Centre for Research on Special Needs Education and Inclusive Practice (SpedAims) to be based at the Department of Special Needs Education, University of Oslo.

SpedAims contains five different work packages. The vacant position is linked to work package 5 (WP5), a project named SpedAims ABC123. The project aims at promoting knowledge on how to both understand and support children with both reading and mathematical learning difficulties. The primary objective of this project is to develop and assess the effectiveness of a randomized trial for first graders who are at risk of developing reading and mathematical difficulties.

The candidate should take part in developing the intervention material in collaboration with fellow researchers in the project, and further participate in all aspects of the intervention (e.g., empirical framing of the study, and data collection). The project will culminate in a series of publications, and the successful candidate will have access to other data sets, which for example enables integrative data analysis. Thus, methodological, and substantive ingeniousness is highly regarded.

The successful applicant is expected to work with the interdisciplinary team on WP5 and contribute with both first- and co-authorships for publications in high quality journals. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to define and pursue their own research interests within the scope of the project and work package.

Information about the work package and research center can be found on the centre’s website.

More about the position

The appointment is a fulltime position and is made for a period of up to four years (25 % of which is devoted to required duties, usually in the form of teaching activities).

It is expected that the successful candidate will be able to complete the project in the course of the period of employment.

Postdoctoral fellows who are appointed for a period of four years are expected to acquire basic pedagogical competency in the course of their fellowship period within the duty component of 25 %.

The main purpose of the fellowship is to qualify researchers for work in higher academic positions within their disciplines.

Qualification requirements

• Applicants must hold a degree equivalent to a Norwegian doctoral degree in educational sciences, psychology or other relevant fields. Doctoral dissertation must be submitted for evaluation by the closing date of application. Appointment is dependent on the public defence of the doctoral thesis being approved.
• Fluent oral and written communication skills in English and a Scandinavian language.
• Advanced quantitative research skills and eagerness to develop such skills further
• Experperience analyzing large datasets using software such as Mplus, R, Python or Stata
• A publication record in high quality journals
• A genuine interest for, and preferably knowledge of, the substantive themes of the project

Candidates that have a research background from special needs education or educational psychology preferably on children's math development and candidates that have focused on language and reading development are encouraged to apply.

Personal skills

• A cooperative, friendly and team-oriented style of work
• Creativity and ability to work independently

We offer

• salary NOK 553 500 – 626 300 per annum depending on qualifications in position as Postdoctoral Research Fellow (position code 1352)
• an interdiciplinary team of highly accomplished scholars
• 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:

• Cover letter including statement of motivation, summarizing scientific work and research interest within the project, based on the information provided on the project's website (max 2 pages)
• CV (summarizing education, positions, pedagogical experience, administrative experience and other qualifying activity)
• Copies of educational certificates (academic transcripts 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
• A maximum of 5 publications/academic works that the applicant wishes to be considered
• List of reference persons: 2-3 references (name, relation to candidate, e-mail and phone number)

Incomplete applications will not be assessed.

The application with attachments must be delivered in our electronic recruiting system. 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).

In assessing the applications, special emphasis will be placed on the documented, academic qualifications, the candidate's research interest within the project, as well as the candidate's motication and personal suitability.

Interviews with the best qualified candidates will be arranged.

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. 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

Associate Professor: Anita Lopez-Pedersen

Professor: Monica Melby-Lervåg