Postdoctoral Fellow University of Oslo in Pedagogy

Applicants are invited for a three or four year position as Postdoctoral Fellow in university pedagogy attached to the Department of Education (IPED), Faculty of Educational Sciences, University of Oslo. Through their research, the Postdoctoral Fellow is expected to contribute directly to the ongoing research project Academic Hospitality in Interdisciplinary Education  funded by the Research Council of Norway. Mary Preston Sutphen (UiO) and Kristin Ewins (Örebro University, Sweden) co-lead the AHIE project, which began in 2022 and will end in 2026.

Policy makers, university educators and leaders, as well as students see interdisciplinary education as critical for addressing the world’s wicked problems, such as climate change or income inequality. AHIE’s chief purpose is to develop recommendations for improving interdisciplinary education designed to prepare students to cope with wicked problems. AHIE seeks to better our understanding of collaboration in teaching and learning in interdisciplinary education. To this end, AHIE explores the concept of academic hospitality, which describes different ways of collaborating among academics and students, including giving and receiving from each other materials, resources, ideas, concepts, methods, and respect.   

The Postdoctoral Fellow is expected to collaborate with the project research group in the development, implementation and dissemination of AHIE research. The Fellow will also be expected to take on research administrative duties, such as contributing to the AHIE Forum (a biannual meeting of stakeholders dedicated to interdisciplinary education) and co-organising the project’s final international conference in 2025. We welcome applicants who demonstrate their motivation and abilities to participate in all stages of the project, from the data collection to the dissemination of research findings. We are equally interested in applicants who have the knowledge and skilled know-how to develop innovative university pedagogy courses to strengthen interdisciplinary education.

The Postdoctoral Fellow will join nine research partners from six institutions in five countries (Australia, Ireland, Norway, Sweden, and the UK), who are studying academic hospitality in interdisciplinary teaching and learning.

The Postdoctoral Fellow will be part of the research group Knowledge, Learning and Governance: Studies in higher Education and Work 

More about the position

The appointment is a full-time position for a period of up to three years, 10% of which is devoted to required duties, such as teaching university pedagogy, supervision, and other kinds of academic development work. Depending on the qualifications of the candidate, the period may be extended to four years, where required duties will be spread out over the full contract period, averaging up to 25 %per year. The teaching portion of the position is affiliated with LINK 

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 the field of university pedagogy.

Qualification requirements

• Applicants must hold a degree equivalent to a Norwegian doctoral degree in Education or a field relevant to the AHIE project. A doctoral dissertation must be submitted for evaluation by the closing date. Appointment depends on the public defense of the doctoral thesis being approved
• Fluent oral and written communication skills in one of the following: Norwegian, Swedish or Danish
• Fluent oral and written communication skills in English

The following qualifications will count in the assessment of the applicants:

• The scholarly merit and relevance of the research proposal
• The track-record and potential to complete the proposed project within the time frame

Personal skills

• Strong collaborative and communication skills
• High personal motivation for research and the development of innovative university pedagogy
•  A commitment to work towards the research project’s common goals
•  Ability to be focused and work independently

We offer

• A salary of NOK 553 500 – 626 300 per annum depending on qualifications in position as Postdoctoral Research Fellow (position code 1352)
• A professionally stimulating working environment
• An 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 the following:

• A cover letter (statement of motivation, summarizing scientific work and research interest)
• A project proposal of 8-10 pages, including a progress plan 
• A CV (summarizing education, positions, experience in university pedagogy, administrative experience and other qualifying activity)
• 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
• Copies of educational certificates (academic transcripts only)
• A complete list of publications
• Two academic works by the applicant which they consider to be of particular relevance to the AHIE project
• A 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 the CV, cover letter, and project proposal must be in English. Other documents can be in any of the following: English, Norwegian, Swedish, or Danish.

In assessing the applications, special emphasis will be placed on the documented academic qualifications, project description, quality of the project, and candidates’ motivation and personal suitability. Interviews with the best qualified candidates will be arranged.

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

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

Professor Mary Preston Sutphen

Professor Tone Dyrdal Solbrekke