Postdoctoral Fellow

Job descriptionApplicants are invited for a three- or four- year Postdoc position at the Department of Education, University of Oslo. We are seeking a candidate with deep insight and interest in investigating the interaction between collaborative learning processes in specific knowledge domains in educational sciences and AI tools and infrastructures. Different types of AI (generative and domain specific intelligent technologies) change the conditions for student learning in higher education. The position is anchored in the learning sciences a field in rapid development. The field needs to improve both descriptions, understanding, and explanations about the interaction that takes place between students, content, context and AI. The learning sciences is an interdisciplinary field of knowledge, building on learning-theoretical principles but also capitalizing on research from various other subfields – educational psychology, sociology of education, design studies or computer science, and more recently, learning analytics and AI in education. GenAI have the last years changed important parts of the knowledge infrastructures for students in  higher education. Multiple resources contribute to form their learning trajectories. To navigate and use multiple resources increases the complexity for students learning processes and demands for agency and cognitive efforts change.  Today we have limited insight into students’ processes and outcomes with AI within specific areas in higher education. This postdoc project is planned as design-based research (DBR) study based on different AI tools and infrastructures. Design-based research is a specific design approach that has been developed in the learning sciences over the last 30 years. It implies that researchers and practitioners collaborate in the design, implementation and analysis of the project. They will usually have different roles in the different phases of the projects, and a DBR study usually runs in several iterations to improve the students’ learning opportunities. The project will be implemented in collaboration with the senior members of the KITE research group (se link to KITE below) and, if relevant, members of other research groups at the Faculty of Educational Sciences.   The study will be conducted with students at the Faculty of Educational Sciences and, if relevant during the project period, with students from other faculties at University of Oslo. The project will be part of the portfolio of KITE’s AI related projects in the TRUST center (se link below).  Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact the contact persons for guidance in the preparation of their application and project proposal.  More about the positionThe appointment is a fulltime position for a period of three or four years. In a four-year position 25% of the time is devoted to teaching duties, usually in the form of teaching activities at the department. The main purpose of the fellowship is to build a research profile and competence that qualifies the postdoctoral fellow to apply for a position as associate professor within their disciplines. The position will also provide other competence with relevance for the postdoctoral fellow's further career. Please see the guidelines concerning appointments to post-doctoral and research positions at the University of Oslo. If the Postdoctoral Fellow does not already have educational qualifications that meet the requirements for an associate professor position, UiO shall facilitate the acquisition of such competence during the employment period. A career plan shall be developed for the Postdoctoral Fellow, specifying the competencies the Postdoctoral Fellow should acquire. UiO is responsible for following up on the career plan and ensuring that the Postdoctoral Fellow has access to career guidance throughout the postdoctoral term.  The appointed postdoc will be part of the faculty research group KITE, which conducts research on knowledge work, collaboration and learning with emerging technologies in higher education and in work settings. The group has an extensive national and international network of researchers and user partners and participants in the AI-centre TRUST (The Norwegian Centre for Trustworthy AI - TRUST – The Norwegian Centre for Trustworthy AI). Qualification requirementsThe applicants would need to have PhD in either; learning sciences, educational sciences, educational psychology or human-computer interactions studies.    The focus of the PhD-thesis needs to contain knowledge areas such as learning theory, cognitive theories with applications on studies of learning, design of learning environments, design-based research methods, digitalization and AI preferable in higher education, but background in K-12 studies might also be of relevance. Applicants with PhD thesis that involves studies of interaction with intelligent technologies will be given priority.  Doctoral dissertation must be submitted for evaluation by the closing date. Appointment is dependent on the public defense of the doctoral thesis being approved.  Proficiency in English is required. Fluent and written communication in Norwegian would be seen as an advantage in the work with the study design and data analysis.  Personal skillsStrong collaborative and communication skills A commitment to work towards the project’s common goals Ability to work focused and independently   We need different perspectives in our workUiO is an open and internationally oriented comprehensive university that strives to be an inclusive and diverse workplace and academic environment. You can read more about UiO’s work on equality, inclusion, and diversity at uio.no. We fulfill our mission most effectively when we draw upon applicants with diverse background, variety of experiences, backgrounds, and perspectives. We are looking for colleagues that could contribute to advanced research in the field of collaborative learning with AI.  We will do our best to accommodate your needs. Relevant adjustments may include modifications to working hours, task adaptations, digital, technical, or physical adjustments, or other practical measures. If you have an immigrant background, a disability, or CV gaps (Norwegian), we encourage you to indicate this in the job application portal. We always invite at least one qualified candidate from each group for an interview. In this context, disability is defined as an applicant who identifies as having a disability that requires workplace or employment-related accommodations. For more details about the requirements, please refer to the Employer portal (Norwegian). The selections made in the job application portal are used for anonymized statistics that all state employers include in their annual reports. More information about gender equality initiatives at UiO can be found here.  We hope you will apply for the position with us. We offerExciting and meaningful tasks in an organization with an important societal mission, contributing to knowledge development, education, and enlightenment that promote sustainable, fair, and knowledge-based societal development. A professionally stimulating working environment Good welfare schemes. Opportunity of up to 1.5 hours a week of exercise during working hours. A workplace with good development and career opportunities. Membership in the Statens Pensjonskasse, which is one of Norway's best pension schemes with beneficial mortgages and good insurance schemes. Salary in position as Postdoctoral Fellow, position code 1352 in salary range from NOK 595.000 - to NOK 670.000 per annum -, depending on competence and experience. From the salary, 2 percent is deducted in statutory contributions to the State Pension Fund. Read more about the benefits of working in the public sector at Employer Portal. How to applyYour application should include: Cover letter that includes statement of motivation, summarizes scientific work and project proposal within research area described above. Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact the contact persons for guidance in the preparation of their application a project description of 7-8 pages, including a progress plan, which should outline 3-4 scientific articles/papers.  Applicants are asked to outline a postdoc project that includes their interest towards collaborative learning and AI in higher education. They must formulate a project proposal with a clear theoretical framing, research methods, description of design processes, data analysis and justification of relevant research questions.  CV (summarizing education, positions, pedagogical experience, 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,  academic works that the applicant wishes to be considered,  a 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 Jobbnorge. 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). Incomplete applications will not be assessed. 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 candidate’s 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 during the period of employment.  Formal regulationsThe best qualified candidates will be invited for interviews. Applicant lists can be published in accordance with Norwegian Freedom of Information Act § 25. When you apply for a position with us, your name will appear on the public applicant list. It is possible to request to be excluded from this list. You must justify why you want an exemption from publication and we will then decide whether we can grant your request. If we cannot, you will hear from us. Please refer to Regulations for the Act on universities and colleges chapter 3 (Norwegian) and 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. Applicant lists can be published in accordance with the Norwegian Freedom and Information Act § 25. When you apply for a position, your name will appear on the public applicant list. It is possible to request to be excluded from this list. You must justify why you want an exemption from publication and we will then decide whether we can grant your request. If we cannot, you will hear from us. The University of Oslo has an agreement for all employees, aiming to secure rights to research results etc.