PhD Research Fellow at the Center for Computing in Science Education
About the position
A position as PhD Research Fellow is available at the Center for Computing in Science Education, Department of Physics, under the direction of associate professor Tor Ole Odden.
No one can be appointed for more than one PhD Research Fellowship period at the University of Oslo.
Starting date no later than October 1, 2024.
The fellowship period is 3 years. A fourth year may be considered with a workload of 25 % that may consist of teaching, supervision duties, and/or research assistance. This is dependent upon the qualification of the applicant and the current needs of the department.
Knowledge development in a changing world – Science and technology towards 2030.
The Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences
Job description
The candidate for this position will work on a PhD project related to the core mission of the Center for Computing in Science Education, which is to improve science teaching using computation and programming. The PhD project will focus on understanding how generative artificial intelligence, like ChatGPT, can be used as a tool for educational practice and research within the mathematics and natural sciences.
The project will involve 1) collection and analysis of student artifacts and interviews from courses that use generative AI as a tool for scientific programming and conceptual understanding, 2) design of assignments, best practices, and guidelines for use of generative AI in science teaching and learning, and 3) exploration of how NLP methods may be used for analysis of STEM education research data at scale.
Qualification requirements
The Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences has a strategic ambition to be among Europe’s leading communities for research, education and innovation. Candidates for these fellowships will be selected in accordance with this, and expected to be in the upper segment of their class with respect to academic credentials.
Required:
- Master’s degree or equivalent in the mathematics or natural sciences, computer science/informatics, data science, or education with a STEM/data science focus.
- Foreign completed degree (M.Sc.-level) corresponding to a minimum of four years in the Norwegian educational system
- Documented experience with designing computational activities or problem sets for use in computational science or data science courses
- Documented experience teaching STEM courses with a computational component (for example, as a teaching assistant or learning assistant)
- Interest for education research
- Experience with Python programming.
- Fluent oral and written communication skills in English
Desired:
- Experience with machine learning and/or natural language processing
- Practical experience with using generative AI in teaching
Candidates without a Master’s degree have until 30 June, 2024 to complete the final exam.
Grade and language requirements:
The norm is as follows:
- The average grade point for courses included in the Bachelor’s degree must be C or better in the Norwegian educational system
- The average grade point for courses included in the Master’s degree must be B or better in the Norwegian educational system
- The Master’s thesis must have the grade B or better in the Norwegian educational system
- Fluent oral and written communication skills in English
- For candidates who would like to apply for a fourth year including teaching, good knowledge of Norwegian or another Scandinavian language is strongly preferred.
- English requirements for applicants from outside of EU/ EEA countries and exemptions from the requirements:
https://www.mn.uio.no/english/research/phd/regulations/regulations.html#toc8
The purpose of the fellowship is research training leading to the successful completion of a PhD degree.
The fellowship requires admission to the PhD programme at the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences. The application to the PhD programme must be submitted to the department no later than two months after taking up the position.
For more information see:
http://www.uio.no/english/research/phd/
http://www.mn.uio.no/english/research/phd/
Personal skills
- We are seeking a highly motivated, enthusiastic and hard-working candidate with the ambition to gain new insights and publish papers in leading, international journals. Applicants must show good interpersonal skills and be willing to work in close collaboration with the project PIs and other members of the project team, as well as have the ability to work independently.
We offer
- Salary NOK 532 200 – 575 400 per annum depending on qualifications and seniority as PhD Research Fellow (position code 1017)
- Attractive welfare benefits and a generous pension agreement
- Vibrant international academic environment
- Career development programmes
- Oslo’s family-friendly surroundings with their rich opportunities for culture and outdoor activities
How to apply
The application must include:
- Cover letter – statement of motivation and research interests
- CV (summarizing education, previous positions and academic work)
- Copies of the original Bachelor and Master’s degree diploma and transcripts of records
- Documentation of English proficiency
- List of any publications and academic work that the applicant wishes to be considered by the evaluation committee
- Names and contact details of 2-3 references (name, relation to candidate, e-mail and telephone number)
- Applicants who are interested in teaching need to add to this application a description of their motivation for and (if any) experience with teaching.
The application with attachments must be delivered in our electronic recruiting system (please follow the link “Apply for this job”). 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.
Interviews will be part of the hiring process.
The research area for the position may include technologies referred to in the Ministry’s export control regulations and all candidates will be evaluated in accordance with these regulations.
Formal regulations
Please see the guidelines and regulations for appointments to Research Fellowships at the University of Oslo.
According to the Norwegian Freedom and 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.
UiO has an agreement for all employees, aiming to secure rights to research results a.o.
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
For further information please contact: Associate Professor Tor Ole Odden, e-mail: t.o.b.odden@fys.uio.no
For questions regarding Jobbnorge, please contact HR Adviser Elin Thoresen, e-mail: elin.thoresen@mn.uio.no
About the University of Oslo
The University of Oslo is Norway’s oldest and highest rated institution of research and education with 28 000 students and 7000 employees. Its broad range of academic disciplines and internationally esteemed research communities make UiO an important contributor to society.
The research at the Department of Physics covers a broad range of subfields within physics and technology: From space research to medical physics.
A good proportion of the research is interdisciplinary, and conducted in close cooperation with collaborators in Norway and abroad. Education and teaching are other essential activities. We offer a broad range of courses, and the Department is involved in several study programmes at bachelor’s and master’s level. Some of the best lecturers in Norway are amongst our employees, and we are proud of our prizewinning teaching and learning environment. The Department has 200 employees, of which 50 are permanent scientific positions. On a yearly basis 20 students complete their Ph.D. and 50 finish their M.Sc. degree.
Deadline: 2024-02-29 at 23:59
Unit: Engineering/it
Read the job description at the university homepage or apply.