The University of Agder invites applications for a full-time fixed-term appointment as a Research Fellow in Mathematics Education for a period of three years, or four years with 25 % of the workload allocated to other tasks at the Department of Mathematical Sciences, Faculty of Engineering and Science. The position is currently located in Kristiansand. The starting date is to be negotiated with the Faculty.

The Faculty presently has a research group in mathematics education, and history of mathematics, including six professors, four associate professors and one Post Doc researcher. There are approximately 20 research fellows registered on the PhD programme.

Mathematics Education as a research domain deals with empirical and theoretical studies regarding teaching and learning mathematics in school and other places. Pedagogical and didactical topics related to mathematics and the history of the development of mathematics is included. A tradition of qualitative studies has been developed with classroom research based on learning communities and inquiry as leading principles. However, the research carried out by the group covers a broad area from pre schools to university.

The announcement is for a research fellow within a project or an area that at present is particularly in focus:

a) Teaching and learning mathematics at university level.

b) A project that is in the process of being established (ACME). The study deals with task design and classroom activities in upper secondary school, in particular the vocational strand of teaching.

c) ICT/ Digital tools in teaching and learning mathematics

Proposals in the above mentioned areas are particularly sought, however other areas of research relevant to the interests of the Mathematics Education Research Group will also be considered.

The applicant is expected to present a project description that can form the basis for admission to the PhD programme. The project description is part of the documentation necessary for evaluating applications. Following appointment, the research proposal will be developed through discussions between the fellow and supervisors appointed by the university. For supplementary regulations for the PhD degree in Mathematics Education at University of Agder, see http://www.uia.no/en/portals/research/phd_programmes/documents.

The scholarship holder must have a master’s degree in mathematics education or mathematics, or equivalent academic/professional background. Sound competence in mathematics and mathematics education is required, relevant teaching experience will be an advantage.

A high level of proficiency in spoken and written Norwegian or another Scandinavian language is required.

The following requirements must be met:

A high level of oral and written proficiency in English is required. Applicants from certain countries must document their English skills through one of the following tests, with the stated results or better:

• TOEFL – Test of English as a Foreign Language, with a minimum score of 550 on the Paper-based Test (PBT) or 80 on the Internet based Test (iBT).
• IELTS – International English Language Testing System, with a result of 6.0.

The list of countries to which this pertains can be found at: http://nokut.no/Documents/NOKUT/Artikkelbibliotek/Utenlandsk_utdanning/GSUlista/GSU-listen_ENG_130111.pdf.

Possible categories of applicants from particular countries may be exempted, see http://nokut.no/Documents/NOKUT/Artikkelbibliotek/Utenlandsk_utdanning/GSUlista/Language_requirements_GSU.pdf. Please note that the English test requirement applies to applicants from most countries according to the list mentioned above. No other English tests will be approved, and certifications/statements cannot replace an English test.

Personal suitability and good teamwork skills will be emphasised in the evaluation as well as relevant practical experience. The PhD Research Fellow will be expected to contribute to an active research community that promotes the personal and professional growth of the doctoral candidate. The position places great demands on the applicant’s capacity for independent goal-oriented work, ability to concentrate and attention to detail. Applicants will be assessed on the basis of academic background and results, attainment, and any previous research and development work.

At the start of the study, a plan for the completion of the PhD in Mathematics Education during the period of employment will be worked out in agreement with the University. The plan will include required coursework, writing of articles and the production of a thesis based on original research.

The applicant is expected to have qualifications for admittance to the doctoral programme, which require a minimum of grade B on master degree (for both thesis and courses) and average C on lower degree. Further provisions relating to the position as PhD Research Fellow 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, laid down by the Ministry of Education and Research 31 January 2006, pursuant to section 6-4, paragraph six, of the Act relating to Universities and University Colleges. The regulations can be downloaded from www.uia.no/vacancies.

For further information on the regulations and admission requirements for the PhD programme in Mathematics Education, please see the University’s web pages at: http://www.uia.no/en/portals/about_the_university/engineering_and_science/phd/phd and www.uia.no/en/portals/research/phd_programmes/documents

The position is for a period of three years, or four years with 25% of the workload allocated to other tasks at the Faculty’s discretion. It is assumed that the PhD Research Fellow will complete a doctoral dissertation within the period of employment. It may be pertinent for the candidate to stay at an external institution or with a national or international partner for part of the stipend period.

The Norwegian public service is committed to reflecting the diversity of society in its work force, and the personnel policy of the University of Agder aims to achieve a balanced workforce. All qualified persons are therefore encouraged to apply for the position, irrespective of cultural background, gender, age or disability.

Short-listed applicants will be invited for interviews. With the applicant's permission, UiA will also conduct a reference check before appointment.

Appointment is made by the University of Agder's Appointments Committee for Teaching and Research Positions. The successful applicant will have rights and obligations in accordance with the current regulations for the Civil Service.

The position is remunerated within the State salary scale, salary plan 17.510, code 1017, salary grade 48 (NOK 391.300). A 2 % compulsory pension contribution to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund is deducted from the pay according to current statutory provisions. For information on Norwegian salary grades, see: http://tinyurl.com/p3n67d

Applicants must submit their application and CV online. Please click on the link “Send application” at [URL Easycruit]. The following documentation should be uploaded as an attachment with the online application:

• Copies* of certificates and/or grades for all post-secondary education, up to and including the bachelor's level, with a summary of the courses/subjects included in the degree.
• Copy* of your master's degree or equivalent, with a summary of the courses/subjects included in the degree.
• Applicants with a foreign higher education must attach a description of the relevant grading system used at the issuing institution.
• Summary (approximately 1–2 pages) of the master’s thesis (or “hovedoppgave”) (in special cases the university will ask for the complete master’s thesis).
• A project description (preliminary).
• The application is expected to include an outline of the applicant’s research interests and background for the proposed project.
• Applicants who are required to document their English proficiency must submit their TOEFL or IELTS test results (these may be forwarded after the closing date) or attach documentation that will give basis for exemption from the English test requirements according to the language requirements list mentioned above.
• A list of publications (if any) or summary of publications that the applicant wishes to include in the evaluation.

* Original documents must be presented for UiA together with the copies by the appointed PhD research fellow at arrival at UiA. Successful candidates will be asked to ensure that the issuing university submits documents in a sealed envelope directly to UiA, or provide that their documents are accessed online, which allows UiA to verify the authenticity of these electronic documents via a secure website hosted at the issuing university (contact person at UiA will be provided later for certain candidates).

The applicants are fully responsible for submitting complete documentation before the closing date. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

All documentation of education must be in the original language and in English, Norwegian, Swedish, or Danish (if the original language is not one of these), and the translation should preferably be from the issuing university. Additional documentation must be in English, Norwegian, Swedish or Danish.

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

Closing date: 30 October 2011.

For further information please contact Professor Anne Berit Fuglestad, tel. (+47) 3814 1538 (position 2) e-mail: anne.b.fuglestad@uia.no or head of Department Elna Svege, tel. (+47) 38141778, e-mail elna.svege@uia.no. The full text of this announcement is available online at www.uia.no/vacancies. For more information on working at UiA, see www.uia.no/work.

In case of discrepancies between the Norwegian and the English version of this description, the Norwegian version takes precedence.