Description
Applicants are invited for a three-year full time position as PhD Research Fellow at the Centre for Research on Equality in Education (CREATE), University of Oslo, Norway. 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 centre integrates researchers with substantive expertise from education, psychology, sociology, economics, and genetics, and methodological expertise from educational measurement, psychometrics, econometrics, statistics, and biostatistics.
CREATE, a Centre of Excellence funded by the Research Council of Norway, is offering a PhD fellowship focused on reducing inequalities in education. The position is part of Strand 1, which investigates the causal mechanisms behind educational inequality. The selected candidate will conduct advanced research using extensive linked datasets, including decades of registry data, large-scale surveys, and genetic data. Proficiency in causal inference methods and experience with large datasets (especially register data) is required. The fellow must enroll in the faculty’s PhD program and is expected to complete the degree within the fellowship period. For more information, please see this website: Forskerutdanning: ph.d. i utdanningsvitenskapelige fag
For more information about CREATE and the position, please contact Prof. Astrid M. J. Sandsør (CREATE & ISP; a.m.j.sandsor@isp.uio.no).
Qualification
Applicants must meet the admission criteria for the faculty’s PhD program. This includes holding a Master’s degree (120 ECTS) in a relevant discipline—such as Economics, Sociology, Education, Psychology, or Special Needs Education—with a minimum grade of B (ECTS scale) and a thesis worth at least 30 ECTS also graded B or above. Bachelor's degrees must meet a minimum grade of C, with five-year programs requiring an average grade of C for the first three years and B for the final two.
Applicants who have submitted their Master's thesis but not yet received final grades may still apply, provided they submit proof of submission and later submit final grades by June 21. Candidates must also demonstrate advanced quantitative research skills and be fluent in English.
While not mandatory, preference will be given to applicants with:
- A high-quality project proposal aligned with CREATE’s research focus
- Experience with causal inference methods
- Familiarity with administrative register or big data
- Proficiency in statistical software such as Stata, R, or similar
Personal skills
- A collaborative, friendly, and team-oriented style of work
- Ability to join interdisciplinary academic communities
- Creativity and ability to work independently
- Personal suitability and motivation for the position
What do they offer
- Salary NOK 537 000 - 580 000 per annum depending on qualifications in a position as PhD Research Fellow (position code 1017)
- An interdisciplinary and international work environment, recognized as a Centre of Excellence
- Attractive welfare benefits and a generous pension agreement, in addition to Oslo’s family-friendly environment with its rich opportunities for culture and outdoor activities
How to apply and what to include in your application
Applicants must submit a cover letter detailing their motivation and research interests, along with a project description of 5–7 pages. For more details visit the guidelines page. This should include a proposed research question, methodological approach, and a tentative progress plan that outlines relevant coursework. Candidates must choose one of the specified research topics, justify their interest in it, identify three key references in the field, and outline a possible study design.
Additionally, a CV summarizing educational background, positions, and academic work is required, along with copies of academic transcripts. International applicants must also include an explanation of their grading system and documentation of English proficiency. If the Master's thesis has not yet been graded, proof of submission from the university must be attached. A full list of academic publications (if any) and the names and contact information of 2–3 referees, including the Master's thesis supervisor, should also be included. (see information on this webpage)
Incomplete applications will not be assessed.
Please note that all documents should be in English (or a Scandinavian language).
The application with attachments must be delivered in the electronic recruiting system, please follow the link: “Apply for this job”.
When evaluating the application, emphasis will be given to the project description and the applicant’s academic and personal prerequisites to carry out the project. Applicants may be called in for an interview.
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