Postdoctoral Fellows in Educational Measurement

Job description

Applications are invited for two three- to four-year fulltime positions as Postdoctoral Fellows at the at the Centre for Research on Equality in Education (CREATE), Faculty of Educational Sciences, University of Oslo, Norway. The positions have a double affiliation with the Centre for Educational Measurement (CEMO).

CREATE is an interdisciplinary Centre of Excellence funded by the Research Council of Norway with the objective to generate novel knowledge about how to reduce inequalities in education. The interdisciplinary center integrates researchers with substantive expertise from education, psychology, sociology, economics, and genetics, and methodological expertise from educational measurement, psychometrics, econometrics, statistics, and biostatistics. The Postdoctoral fellowships are affiliated with CREATE’s research strand 3 «Addressing key methodological challenges».

CEMO provides a stimulating research environment by bringing internationally renowned substantive and methodological experts together. Research at CEMO combines basic research and applications of advanced measurement techniques to solve core educational problems. CEMO also contributes to the development of measurement competence through teaching and outreach.

More about the positions

The positions are tied to CREATE’s strand 3. Strand 3 aims to develop novel methods and statistical software that are tailor-made to the research questions and data of CREATE. 

The successful candidate will conduct advanced methodological and psychometric research. Potential topics include (a) AI, machine learning, and large language models for measurement challenges (e.g., for small-sample calibration or for accelerated algorithms), (b) identifying and investigating aberrant response behavior (such as rapid guessing, cheating, or careless responding), (c) estimation methods for latent variable models (e.g., two-step approaches or approximate maximum likelihood estimation), or (d) meta-analytic models to address complex data structures (e.g., spatial models or second-order meta-analytic models).

The appointments are full-time positions and made for a period of 3 years, 10% of which is devoted to required duties, usually in the form of teaching activities. If there is a good match between the candidate’s competence and the teaching needs at CEMO, the positions may be extended to 4 years, 25% of which is devoted to required duties, usually in the form of teaching activities and supervision. For these positions, the teaching activities will be part of CEMO’s master’s program in Measurement, Assessment, and Evaluation.

Postdoctoral fellows who are appointed for a period of four years are expected to acquire educational competence during their fellowship period (as part of the duty component), if such competence has not already been acquired. The main purpose of the fellowship is to qualify researchers for work in higher academic positions within their disciplines.

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 may also provide other competence with relevance for the postdoctoral fellow's further career.

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.

Qualification requirements

• Applicants must hold a degree equivalent to a Norwegian doctoral degree in one of the social and behavioral sciences, statistics, or computer science evaluating and/or developing advanced quantitative methods.. 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 English
• Proficiency in programming and data analysis in the statistical software environment R, Python, or other relevant programming languages, as evidenced in relevant courses or publication(s)

The following qualifications will count in the assessment of the applicants:

• Proficiency in item response theory
• Prior experience with Monte Carlo simulation studies
• Experience with two of the following topics: (a) AI, machine learning, and large language models for measurement challenges, (b) identifying and investigating aberrant response behavior, (c) estimation methods for latent variable models or (d) meta-analytic models to address complex data structures

Personal skills

• Creativity and ability to work independently 
• Self-motivated, eager to learn and ready to tackle and deal with challenges
• Able to collaborate with others in a polite fashion yet being straightforward in communication 
• A critical eye for quality

Personal suitability and motivation for the position will be emphasized

We need different perspectives in our work

UiO 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 our variety of experiences, backgrounds, and perspectives. We are looking for great colleagues—could you be the next one?

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 offer

• Salary NOK 595 000 - 670 000 per annum depending on qualifications in position as Postdoctoral Research Fellow (position code 1352). 
  From the salary, 2 percent is deducted in statutory contributions to the State Pension Fund
• A professionally stimulating work environment
• An interdisciplinary and international work environment, recognized as a Centre of Excellence
• Attractive welfare benefits 
• Membership in the Statens Pensjonskasse, which is one of Norway's best pension schemes with beneficial mortgages and good insurance schemes

How to apply

The application must include:

• Cover letter (maximum two pages), including a statement of motivation and a description of your experience with up to two of the topics: (a) AI, machine learning, and large language models for measurement challenges, (b) identifying and investigating aberrant response behavior, (c) estimation methods for latent variable models or (d) meta-analytic models to address complex data structures
• 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
• Copy of the PhD thesis 
• Copies of educational certificates (academic transcripts only)
• A complete list of publications
• 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 applicants, special emphasis will be placed on the documented, academic qualifications, the project description (whenever this is required in the call for applicants), 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 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.