PhD in Geoscience Education Research

University of Copenhagen; København; Presencial; DKK 357.000 - 446.000; Jornada completa

Descripción de la vacante

University of Copenhagen invites applications for a three-year PhD fellowship in geoscience education research, starting April 1, 2027 or as soon as possible thereafter. The PhD is part of the GER research group within the NNF-USE center and involves international collaboration and an emphasis on disciplinary writing in the AI era.

The position is full-time and enrolled with the PhD School at the Faculty of SCIENCE.

Formación

• Hold a master’s degree by 1 April 2027 in geoscience discipline or geoscience education.
• Are comfortable working in research groups and are interested in collaborative work.
• Are very interested in pursuing geoscience education research.
• Have excellent written and oral English skills.

Responsabilidades

• Carry through an independent research project under supervision at the host institution.
• Complete PhD courses corresponding to approx. 30 ECTS / ½ FTE.
• Participate in active research environments, including a stay at another research institution, preferably abroad.
• Teaching and knowledge dissemination activities (≈ ½ FTE).
• Write scientific papers aimed at high-impact journals.
• Write and defend a PhD thesis based on your project.

Conocimientos

English skills

Team collaboration

Research interest

Educación

Master’s in geoscience

Bachelor’s in geoscience

Descripción del empleo

Novo Nordisk Foundation Centre for University Science Education (NNF-USE). The Department of Science Education invites applications for a three-year PhD position in geoscience education research, commencing on April 1, 2027, or as soon as possible thereafter. The position is part of the research work package "Disciplinary Writing Practices in the AI Era: Enhancing Learning in the Geosciences" at NNF-USE, led by Professor Kristine Harper. The PhD will be part of the research group on University Science Education, which hosts several other scholars working on higher education discipline-based educational research (DBER). NNF-USE, led by Professor Jenny Dauer, also partners with scholars from two other Danish universities (University of Aarhus, University of Southern Denmark) as well as those from abroad. Writing is key to disciplinary learning, development and knowledge production. The role of writing in disciplines, however, remains understudied and underutilized in university science education. Particularly in Geoscience Education Research (GER), disciplinary writing often serves merely as an assessment tool, rather than a vehicle for learning. As emerging GenAI technologies fundamentally disrupt writing practices, there is an urgent need to understand the role of writing in disciplinary learning and examine how extant and emerging GenAI technologies interact with disciplinary teaching practices, writing norms, and student learning.

About the Department of Science Education

The Department of Science Education aims to open up science and mathematics for all through research that enhances education, communication, and public engagement. The Department brings together expertise from the sciences, social sciences, and humanities to lead internationally in science and mathematics education, digital education, history and philosophy of science, and science communication. The Department currently employs approx. 100 persons – many of whom are international. We offer a vibrant interdisciplinary research environment and an attractive and friendly work environment for all employees, and we are determined to support PhD students, postdocs, and assistant professors in building of a foundation for their future career within and outside academia. It is a hallmark of our research to unite strong fundamental and applied research, with high impact in society. A large part of the Department’s teaching activities concerns the mandatory university pedagogical training and competence development for teaching faculty at the Faculties of Science and Health.

You may read the Department’s strategy towards 2030 and you may read about the USE Center here: https://use.ku.dk/. You may read more about the department in general here: https://www.ind.ku.dk/english/. Copenhagen is one of the 10 most livable cities in the world with a rich culture within music, theater and associations (https://www.visitcopenhagen.com). Life for families is made easier by a publicly supported daycare and health care system, dual career opportunities, maternity/parental leave and six weeks of annual vacation. International candidates may find information on living and working in Denmark at https://workindenmark.dk/. Useful information is also available at the International Staff Mobility (ISM) office at the University of Copenhagen (https://ism.ku.dk/). ISM offers a variety of services to international researchers coming to and working at the University of Copenhagen. The University wishes our staff to reflect the diversity of society and thus welcomes applications from all qualified candidates regardless of personal background.

Qualifications needed

• Hold a master’s degree by 1 April 2027 (see specifications below) in an appropriate geoscience discipline (see above) or in geoscience education, with a bachelor’s degree in an appropriate geoscience discipline.
• Are comfortable working in research groups and are interested in collaborative work.
• Are very interested in pursuing geoscience education research.
• Have excellent written and oral English skills.

Advantageous qualifications

• Have expertise in geology, since that will be the focus for the undergraduate education part of the project.
• Have experience and/or training in qualitative research methods.
• Have Danish language skills or are willing to adapt to an environment where Danish is often used.

Terms of employment

Employment as a PhD fellow is full time and for a maximum 3 years. Employment is conditional upon your successful enrolment as a PhD student at the PhD School at the Faculty of SCIENCE, University of Copenhagen.

The terms of employment and salary are in accordance with the agreement between the Ministry of Finance and The Danish Confederation of Professional Associations on Academics in the State (AC). The position is in Copenhagen.

Responsibilities and tasks

• Carry through an independent research project under supervision at the host institution.
• Complete PhD courses corresponding to approx. 30 ECTS / ½ FTE.
• Participate in active research environments, including a stay at another research institution, preferably abroad.
• Teaching and knowledge dissemination activities (corresponding to approx. 1/2 FTE).
• Write scientific papers aimed at high-impact journals.
• Write and defend a PhD thesis based on your project.

Professor Kristine Cecile Harper, Department of Science Education, University of Copenhagen, [e-mail], [phone].

The University wishes our staff to reflect the diversity of society and thus welcomes applications from all qualified candidates regardless of personal background.