PhD Fellowship position in the field of vocational education - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

PhD Fellowship position in the field of vocational education

The Department of Vocational Teacher Education announces up to 3 fellowships attached to the PhD program: Educational Sciences for Teacher Education, in the Faculty of Education and International Studies.

The positions may also be linked to projects at the newly established Center for vocational education, training and research.

The Faculty's strategic goal is to become a leader in the field of teacher education. Within the Department of Vocational Teacher Education, this means pursuing new research subjects on vocational trades and vocational education; relationships between education at school and workplace based learning, as well as practice-led knowledge development and research.

We seek original, empirical and theoretical projects of high quality.

The positions will be based at the Department of Vocational Teacher Education at Campus Kjeller.

Area of research
The PhD fellows will develop projects or subprojects related to one of the department’s target areas:

1. Quality in professional practice and vocational training

This area focuses on quality in vocational education in schools, businesses and the public sector. The research will help to illuminate and develop quality and flexibility in professional practice and vocational education, from the perspectives of both individuals and future industry stakeholders. Analyses of the competence needs for the labour force, professional practice and work processes should be considered as a primary focus, and should form the basis for content and working methods in vocational education. Vocational didactics, as a tool in the development of vocational training and occupational differentiation, is central to the development of quality in vocational education. Other areas that may be considered are changes in occupation and the need for vocational skills in different professions, including for example key skills and/or generic skills. 

2. Relevant competence in vocational teacher education

This area focuses on the qualification of vocational teachers in vocational teacher education (YFL and PPUY). Research in this area will help to highlight and develop quality and flexibility in both vocational education and in vocational teacher education, from the perspectives of both individuals and future industry stakeholders. Key research themes here are, for example, changes in vocational skills, key skills and/or generic skills. The relationship between quality in vocational education and quality in vocational teacher education is pivotal, especially the relationship between the professionalization of vocational education (including professional didactics), professional relevance and professional practice. 

3. Technology in vocational training, vocational education and vocational teacher education

This area focuses on the development of technological competence, digitalization, automation, robotization, and simulation, as well as relationships between technology and learning in different vocations and professions. What implications might these changes have for vocational education in upper secondary school and for vocational teacher education? Research on the development of learning technologies, changes in both learning processes and the roles of teachers, as well as online support for teaching and guidance in teacher education is also relevant. 

4. Diversity and inclusion in vocational training and vocational education

This area focuses on the challenges associated with diversity issues, including the relationship between specially facilitated teaching and education, dropout rates and motivation, development of alternative learning arenas, training practice and training candidature schemes, the teaching of students with Norwegian as a second language. In this area of focus it may also be appropriate to develop projects related to the management of diversity and inclusionary practices in relation to gender, ethnicity, functional capacity, etc. Research questions related to vocational students' daily school lives, and the relationship between youth and vocational identities in different learning situations are also relevant. 

5. Lifelong learning

Learning through the lifetime and validation of real-world skills is an important research field. The field is linked to workplace learning, lifelong learning, requalification, experiential competence and methods of assessment, dual models in adult learning, migration and qualification of refugees for the Norwegian workforce.

General Qualifications: 

• Masters Degree in Vocational Pedagogy or another relevant subject
• Good knowledge of, and interest in vocational trades and vocational education
• Final project plan for the fellowship period is required to be completed and verified within 3 months after commencement of contract
• Proficiency in both written and spoken English, in addition to a Scandinavian language 

Desired skills, one or more: 

• Professional Certificate (fagbrev) or equivalent professional qualification and professional experience
• Relevant experience from research and development work
• Knowledge of vocational teacher education
• experience in the management of vocational education in an education or business setting 

We are looking for applicants who can demonstrate:  

• Independence and the ability to complete tasks on time
• Good collaborative skills
• Good interpersonal and communication skills 

In assessing the applicants, emphasis will be placed on the submitted project proposal. It is important for OsloMet to reflect the population of our region, and all qualified candidates are welcome to apply. We make active efforts to further develop as an inclusive workplace and to adapt the workplace if required. 

We can offer you

• An exciting job opportunity at Norway’s third largest and most urban university
• Opportunities for professional development
• Opportunities to immerse yourself in an exciting field of study with an important social assignment
• Beneficial pension arrangements with the Norwegian State Pension Fund
• Good employee welfare arrangements
• Free Norwegian classes to employees and their partners
• Relocation support, cultural courses and on boarding services 

OsloMet’s International Career Site gives information on living and working in Oslo.

Terms:

 The positions will be held for four years, and include a 25% teaching and supervision obligation within the department. Expected start: 1 September 2018.

Admission to the doctoral programme at the faculty is a prerequisite for employment. Read more about the program here 

Other information

If you would like more information about the positon, feel free to contact:

• Head of studies, Center for vocational education, training and research, Grete Haaland, + 4795424548
• Head of studies, Lars Gjelstad, +47 91819250 

For more information about the PhD program, contact:

• Miriam Elmoussaoui, miriam.elmoussaoui@oslomet.no, tel.:+4767237637

The salary for the position is in accordance with the pay scale for Norwegian state employees, job title and position code 1017. Salary NOK 436 900-466 500,- per year. A higher salary may be considered for particularly well qualified applicants.  

If you wish to apply for the position, please apply electronically by clicking the button at the bottom of the page. 

Expert evaluation
An expert committee will assess applicants. You must upload the following documents together with your application by the final date for applications:

• CV, references and all pages of certificates/diplomas. The certificates/diplomas must include ECTS grades (A–F). Foreign diplomas must be translated into English by the degree-conferring institution. Education taken abroad should preferably be recognised in advance by NOKUT, and a confirmed copy of the letter of recognition should be enclosed.
• Your master's degree/second degree thesis (and any other scholarly work that you wish the expert committee to take into consideration) and a list of your publications, if relevant
• Project description: maximum 10 pages.

 The project description must be written in English or a Scandinavian language.

You must upload all of these documents. Original documents and valid passport must be presented if you are invited for an interview. OsloMet performs document inspections in order to give you as a candidate a proper evaluation and ensure fair competition. 

If you have documents that cannot be uploaded electronically, please contact heidihertzberg.wold@oslomet.no

Please note that incomplete applications will not be considered. The application must state your reasons for applying to the project and what makes you particularly qualified to carry out this PhD work. 

OsloMet has implemented the Charter & Code and been certified by the EU Commission with HR Excellence in Research (HRS4R) and is part of the EU network for mobility of Researchers Euraxess.