PhD Research Fellowship in Teaching French as a Foreign Language, Norway

A position as research fellow is vacant at the Department of Teacher Education and School Research in the subject area Teaching French as a foreign language (in Norwegian: “franskdidaktikk”).
Foreign language education is a complex research area that comprises linguistic knowledge and skills in addition to knowledge about teaching and learning in various contexts. The research fellow will be expected to pursue educational issues relevant for the teaching and learning of French as a foreign language in Norwegian school settings.
A communicative, action-oriented approach to language learning has been the central framework in foreign language education for some time, in recent years along with an increasing focus on plurilingualism and intercultural skills. Promising research areas include studies of instruction in today’s foreign language classrooms and studies of students’ development of communicative skills, language learning skills and (inter)cultural competence. The department welcomes research proposals in the following areas:

Classroom observation studies
Studies on assessment and learning
Studies of written or oral student interlanguage
Teaching and learning in plurilingual and multicultural classes

Proposals drawing on two or more of these areas are particularly welcome, although other relevant applications will also be considered.
The Department of Teacher Education and School Research organizes four research groups. It is expected that the applicant is affiliated with the research group SISCO (Studies of Instruction across Subjects and Competences).
Positions as research fellows are fixed-term educational posts where the aim is that the research fellow is to complete a doctoral degree (PhD) during the period of employment. A prerequisite for employment is admission to the Faculty’s doctoral degree programme, and applicants’ formal and other qualifications for admission will therefore also be assessed. The doctoral candidate is expected to participate actively in the organized research training and in the Faculty’s research community.
The appointment is made for a period of up to four years (25 % of which is devoted to required duties, usually in the form of teaching activities).
The appointment can have a more limited scope on account of any previous employment in academic positions.
For further information, we refer to Guidelines concerning appointment to post doctoral and research posts at the University of Oslo.
Qualification requirements
Applicants must satisfy the requirements for admission to the Faculty’s PhD program. This normally includes:

Successful completion of a Master’s degree program or similar higher education program in the subject of French or French as a foreign language.
Minimum B grade or equivalent for the Master’s degree (ECTS grading scale).

Familiarity with the Norwegian school system and experience in teaching French as a foreign language will be considered an asset.
Further information on admission requirements and an application form can be found at this website.
In the assessment of applications, emphasis will be put on:

The applicant’s academic attitude with regard to completing the research training program.
The quality of the project description; the description of the research topic, the specific problems to be studied, the choice of scientific theory and method, and a proposed schedule for the study. A project description of 5 - 10 pages must be submitted with the application.
The applicant’s personal suitability and motivation for the post, including his/her ability to collaborate and to form part of a cross-disciplinary academic community.
Other qualifications that meet the objectives which form the basis of this type of post. Good English language skills are also required.

Application procedure
The application must be submitted electronically and must include the following:

Letter of application
Project description (cf. Guidance).
Completed application form for admission to the doctoral degree program
Certified copies of diplomas, grade transcripts and any other testimonials
In the event of diplomas from other countries: printouts of prospectuses or similar that describe the content and framework of the courses of study on which the application is based.
Master’s thesis and any other academic works that may be of relevance to the application.
CV that also includes an overview of any previously published academic/scientific works.

The application may be written in English or Norwegian.
Applicants from countries outside the Nordic countries where English is not the official language must attach a TOEFL test with a minimum score of 550 unless they have a diploma from a university in an English-speaking country.
Incomplete applications will in normal circumstances not be assessed.
As a rule, interviews will be conducted as part of the appointment process. At the interview the applicant will be asked to present original diplomas and grade transcripts from previous courses of study.
We offer

Salary in line with pay grades 50 – 57 (NOK 421 100 – 482 800,- per annum). Research fellows are normally allocated pay grade 50 on appointment.
A positive and challenging working environment
Pension arrangements in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund
A position in an inclusive working life enterprise
Attractive welfare arrangements

The University of Oslo has an Acquisition of Rights Agreement for all employees for the purpose of securing intellectual property rights to research results etc.
Pursuant to section 25, paragraph 2 of the Norwegian Freedom of Information Act, information about the applicant may be included in the public applicant list even though the applicant has requested non-disclosure.
The University of Oslo also aims to recruit more individuals with an immigrant background to academic positions. Candidates with an immigrant background are encouraged to apply.

Job type:
Contract

Working hours:
Full-time

Working days:
Day

Application deadline:
31 May 2015

Reference number:
2015/5650

Home page:
http://www.ils.uio.no

Contacts:
Head of Administration Astrid Waaler Kaas
Telephone: +47 22855018
Professor Glenn Ole Hellekjær
Telephone: +47 22857364
Researcher Rolf Vegar Olsen
Telephone: +47 22844510
Senior Executive Officer Paulina N. Dudzinska
Telephone: +47 22859196

Send application