PhD Research Fellow in Mathematics Education

About the position

A 100 % position is available at the University of Agder, Faculty of Engineering and Science as a PhD Research Fellow in Mathematics Education, affiliated to the Department of Mathematical Sciences, for a period of three years, or for suitable candidates four years with 25 % required duties. The position is located, at present, at Campus Kristiansand. The starting date is negotiable with the Faculty, but preferable January 2025. 

The fellowship is within the Department of Mathematical Sciences. The department has a large and active research group in mathematics education, MERGA, with about 20 fellows on its PhD programme. MERGA was rated very highly in a national survey of educational research conducted by The Research Council of Norway in 2017, and when University of Agder in 2018 recognised Priority Research Centres, MERGA was awarded such a status for five years, documenting the quality of the research group. The person appointed will join MERGA, and one of the three current strands of research within MERGA: Teaching and learning mathematics in higher education. More information about the MERGA and the particular strand is available from the Departmental web address above. The strand and position are closely connected to activities developed in MatRIC, The Centre for Research, Innovation and Coordination of Mathematics Teaching. The Norwegian Agency of Quality Assurance in Education (abbreviated NOKUT) awarded MatRIC, as a national Centre for Excellence in Higher Education, to University of Agder back in 2013. The centre was led by the Department of Mathematical Sciences. The person appointed will contribute to the continued efforts in developing and researching university mathematics education.

The mathematics education research group has substantial and on-going experience of leading and contributing to large research projects funded by the EU, the Research Council of Norway, Nordforsk, the Competence Development Fund of Southern Norway, and others. The Department hosts the Graduate School in Mathematics and Science Education in Norway, and contributes actively to the Nordic mathematics education community. The University of Agder has excellent library support and collection of research literature in mathematics education (in English and Scandinavian languages) and on-line access to all leading journals in the field. 

Research proposal area

Innovative approaches to university mathematics teaching

Mathematics research, application of mathematics in industry and the teaching of mathematics in schools have all been affected by societal, technological and didactical changes. However, much of university mathematics teaching does not reflect these changes. We invite research projects addressing this gap. These could combine foci on:

• A changing aspect, for example: 
  • Research related to children’s mathematical developmental and learning trajectories. 
  • Digital tools used in research and industry (AI, Mathematica, automated theorem provers, CAS) and in schools (dynamic geometry, CAS). 
  • Concrete materials and visualizations used in research, industry and schools. 
• A target group, for example engineering students, calculus students, future teachers, etc. early or late in their studies.
• One or more research methods, for example teaching experiments, eye tracking studies, task-based interviews, surveys or literature reviews.
• A background theoretical framework, for example socio-cultural, constructivist, etc.

Responsibilities

A prerequisite for employment is that the candidate is to be admitted to UiA’s PhD programme at the Faculty of Engineering and Science, specialisation in Mathematical Sciences and the scientific area Mathematics Education. 

Required qualifications

The candidate must hold a cand. scient. or master’s degree in Mathematics Education or a closely related and relevant field. A teaching qualification is also essential.

The applicant must submit an approved project description within three months of appointment.

Further provisions relating to the positions as PhD Research Fellows can be found in the Regulations Concerning Terms and Conditions of Employment for the post of Post-Doctoral Research Fellow, Research Fellow, Research Assistant and Resident.

The successful applicant must have written and spoken English proficiency.

Desired qualifications

Competence in Norwegian and/or Scandinavian language are desired and will be prioritized in the valuation of the candidates. The research group includes Norwegian and international scholars, and the research will be carried out at the University of Agder and in classes being taught in Norwegian. Additional University classes from elsewhere in Norway might also be included. 

Length of relevant school/university teaching experience will also be taken into account in the selection of a suitable candidate. 

Experience in one or several of the below are also beneficial

• Collaboration in larger or smaller research projects and / or working groups. 
• Knowledge and experience of conducting literature reviews.
• Documented competence in qualitative and/or quantitative research methods. 

At the University of Agder, PhD dissertations may be written in Norwegian, another Scandinavian Language or English.

Personal qualities

Personal suitability and good teamwork skills will be emphasized in the evaluation as well as relevant practical experience. Research Fellows are expected to contribute to the active research community at the University. The position places demands on the applicant’s capacity for independent goal-oriented work, ability to concentrate and attention to detail.

Ability to familiarize oneself with new issues and methodological approaches. Applicants will be assessed on the basis of academic background and results, attainment, and any previous research activity, in addition to a (preliminary) research proposal submitted with the application (see below).

Research visits to an external institution or with a national or international partner for part of the period of employment may be anticipated.

We offer

• professional development in a large, exciting and socially influential organisation 
• a positive, inclusive and diverse working environment 
• modern facilities and a comprehensive set of welfare offers 
• membership of the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund 

More about working at UiA.

The position is remunerated according to the State Salary Scale, salary plan 17.515, code 1017 PhD Research Fellow, NOK 532 200 gross salary per year. A compulsory pension contribution to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund is deducted from the pay according to current statutory provisions. 

General information

UiA is an open and inclusive university. We believe that diversity enriches the workplace and makes us better. We, therefore, encourage qualified candidates to apply for the position irrespective of gender, age, cultural background, disability or an incomplete CV.

The successful applicant will have rights and obligations in accordance with the current regulations for the position, and organisational changes and changes in the duties and responsibilities of the position must be expected. The engagement is to be made in accordance with the regulations in force concerning the acts relating to Control of Export of Strategic Goods, Services and Technology. Appointment is made by the University of Agder’s Appointments Committee for Teaching and Research Positions. 

Short-listed applicants will be invited for interview. With the applicant’s permission, UiA will also conduct a reference check before appointment. Read more about applying for a position and the employment process.

In accordance with the Freedom of Information Act § 25 (2), applicants may request that they are not identified in the open list of applicants. The University, however, reserves the right to publish the names of applicants. Applicants will be advised of the University’s intention to exercise this right.

Application

The application and any necessary information about education and experience (including diplomas and certificates) are to be sent electronically. Use the link "Apply for this job".

The following documentation must be uploaded electronically: 

• A letter of application which includes a rationale for applying for the position, together with an outline of the applicant’s research interests and ability to conduct the proposed project within the outlined research proposal area.
• Certificates with grades.
• Master’s thesis.
• References.
• A summary and links to the applicant's scientific publications, if produced, must be included if to be considered.
• A short research proposal (preliminary) that sets out background, rationale, recent work and research design for the intended study. This should not extend beyond about 5 pages, but it will form an important part of the evaluation of candidates. It must be evident that it relates well to one of the proposed areas above (under the heading “Research proposal area”).
• Any other relevant documentation.

The applicant is fully responsible for submitting complete digital documentation before the closing date. We draw your attention to the fact that candidates who do not include all required documentation listed above will not be included in the evaluation process if attachments are missing. All documentation must be available in a Scandinavian language or English. 

Application deadline: 04.10.24

Contact

For questions about the position: 

• Associate Professor Shaista Kanwal, tel. (+47) 38 14 24 05, e-mail shaista.kanwal@uia.no 
• Professor David Reid, tel. (+47) 38 14 12 67, e-mail david.reid@uia.no
• Head of Department Ingvald Erfjord, tel. (+47) 38 14 15 47, e-mail ingvald.erfjord@uia.no 

For questions about the application process:

• HR-adviser Heidi Kristensen, tel. (+47) 38 14 13 79, e-mail heidi.kristensen@uia.no

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