Applicants are invited for a three-year position as Postdoctoral Fellow in Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) quality and children’s language development to be based at the Department of Education, University of Oslo.
The Oslo Early Education Study is based on a researcher–sector partnership to develop, implement, and assess the effects of an intervention aimed at preparing multiethnic ECEC centers to utilize their potential to support children’s language development and collaborate with the parents. This randomized controlled intervention study is financed by the Research Council of Norway for a period of four years from April 2021. Veslemøy Rydland and Ratib Lekhal are the PIs of the project.
The Postdoctoral Fellow is expected to collaborate with the project research group in the development, implementation and evaluation of the OEES intervention. We welcome applicants who are able to demonstrate motivation and qualifications to participate in the different stages of research from the data collection to the dissemination of research findings.
We aim to recruit from 600 to 800 target children (aged 1 to 4 years old) across 250 preschool classrooms in the overall study. The assessment of intervention effects will focus on the quality of caretaker–child interactions and child outcomes. Applicants are expected to write a project description (see further descriptions below) that offers a detailed account of the research plans along one (or more) of the following three topics in the Oslo Early Education Study:
1) The quality of caretaker-child interactions
2) The language development of children
3) The ECEC-home collaboration
In our assessment of applicants, we will emphasize the methodological, analytical and theoretical contribution of the proposed projects as well as the relevance for the Oslo Early Education Study.
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, usually in the form of teaching activities. Depending on the qualifications of the
candidate, the period may be extended to four years, 25 % of which is devoted to required duties, usually in the form of teaching activities at the department. 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.
The main purpose of the fellowship is to qualify researchers for work in higher academic positions within their disciplines.
Please see the guidelines concerning appointment to post-doctoral and research positions at the University of Oslo.
Qualification requirements
- Applicants must hold a degree equivalent to a Norwegian doctoral degree in Education, Psychology, or another relevant field. Doctoral dissertation must be submitted for evaluation by the closing date. Appointment is dependent on the public defense of the doctoral thesis being approved.
- Fluent oral and written communication skills in Norwegian or one of the other Scandinavian languages (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
- A commitment to work towards the project’s common goals
- Ability to work focused and independently
We offer
- Salary NOK 534 400 – 615 800 per annum depending on qualifications in position as Postdoctoral Research Fellow (position code 1352)
- A professionally stimulating working environment
- 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 (statement of motivation, summarizing scientific work and research interest)
- A text of 8-10 pages where the applicant comments and reflects on the project description. Here the applicant should describe and reflect on how his or her research interests aligns with the overall project, and describe in detail what the applicant would like to focus on within the overall frame of the project.
- CV (summarizing education, positions, pedagogical experience, administrative experience and other qualifying activities).
- Copies of educational certificates (academic transcripts only).
- A complete list of publications.
- Any research publications that the applicant wishes to be considered.
- List of reference persons: 2-3 references (name, relation to candidate, e-mail and phone number)
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 project description and the quality of the project as well as the 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. We also want to have employees with diverse expertise, combinations of subjects, life experience and perspectives. We will make adjustments for employees who require this.
If there are qualified applicants with special needs, gaps in their CVs or immigrant backgrounds, we will invite at least one applicant in each of these groups to an interview.
Contact information
Professor Veslemøy Rydland
Associate Professor Ratib Lekhal
About the University of Oslo
The University of Oslo is Norway’s oldest and highest ranked educational and research institution, with 28 000 students and 7000 employees. With its broad range of academic disciplines and internationally recognised research communities, UiO is an important contributor to society.
The Department of Education was established in 1938 and is one of three departments at The Faculty of Educational Sciences.
The research is based on traditions from both the social and the human sciences, and the department thus accommodates great breadth in topics and perspectives. The department employs approximately 100 people; 49 scientific staff, 35 doctoral and post-doctoral students, and 16 administrative/technical staff. The number of students is approximately 900.