Postdoctoral researcher

Isls; Oslo; On-site; NOK 520,000 - 680,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Oslo invites applications for a postdoctoral project focused on collaborative learning and AI in higher education. The DBR design-based study will involve colleagues from the KITE research group and will explore how AI tools and infrastructures shape student learning opportunities.

Applicants should outline a project with a strong theoretical framing, research methods, design processes, data analysis, and clearly framed research questions; PhD must be submitted for formal

Qualifications

• PhD submitted and eligible to start postdoctoral work.
• Experience in design-based research (DBR) in learning sciences is preferred.
• Strong theoretical framing and data analysis skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead a DBR postdoctoral study investigating AI's impact on collaborative learning in higher education.
• Collaborate with the KITE research group and other faculties at the University of Oslo; design, implement and analyze the study.

Education

PhD in Educational Sciences or related field

Job description

We seek a candidate with deep insight and interest in investigating the interaction between collaborative learning processes in specific knowledge domains in educational sciences and AI tools and infrastructures.

Different types of AI (generative and domain specific intelligent technologies) change the conditions for student learning in higher education. The position is anchored in the learning sciences a field in rapid development. The field needs to improve both descriptions, understanding, and explanations about the interaction that takes place between students, content, context and AI. The learning sciences is an interdisciplinary field of knowledge, building on learning-theoretical principles but also capitalizing on research from various other subfields – educational psychology, sociology of education, design studies or computer science, and more recently, learning analytics and AI in education.

GenAI have the last years changed important parts of the knowledge infrastructures for students in higher education. Multiple resources contribute to form their learning trajectories. To navigate and use multiple resources increases the complexity for students learning processes and demands for agency and cognitive efforts change. Today we have limited insight into students’ processes and outcomes with AI within specific areas in higher education.

This postdoctoral project is planned as design-based research (DBR) study based on different AI tools and infrastructures. Design-based research is a specific design approach that has been developed in the learning sciences over the last 30 years. It implies that researchers and practitioners collaborate in the design, implementation and analysis of the project. They will usually have different roles in the different phases of the projects, and a DBR study usually runs in several iterations to improve the students’ learning opportunities.

The project will be implemented in collaboration with the senior members of the research group KITE.

The study will be conducted with students at the Faculty of Educational Sciences and, if relevant during the project period, with students from other faculties at University of Oslo.

Applicants are asked to outline a postdoc project that includes their interest towards collaborative learning and AI in higher education. They must formulate a project proposal with a clear theoretical framing, research methods, description of design processes, data analysis and justification of relevant research questions.

Only applicants who have submitted their PhD thesis are formally eligible for the position.The application with attachments must be delivered in the electronic recruiting system Jobbnorge. Foreign applicants are advised to attach an explanation of their university’s grading system.