PhD in “Science Learning Spaces as Learning Media”

The Department of Mathematics and Computer Science at the University of Southern Denmark (Campus Odense), in collaboration with NAFA (Danish Academy of Science Education), is offering a PhD scholarship in “Science Learning Spaces as Learning Media.”

NAFA aims to promote motivating and rewarding science education in primary schools through enhanced training of science teachers. Children and young people should experience strengthened scientific competence, which they can apply in their roles as individuals, citizens, and professionals.

The PhD project should be relevant to practice in the Danish primary school and/or teacher education. The new quality program for primary schools allocates 2.6 billion DKK for investments in better learning spaces and class rooms and environments that encourage play and movement, along with 540 million DKK for books. Learning environment, tools, instruments and other learning media and educational technologies are central focus areas in science subjects, involving literacy, multimodality, aesthetics, engineering design, place-based teaching, external learning environments, outdoor school, connection to nature, and student experience in science education.

Good physical settings and learning media are crucial for varied and engaging teaching. This PhD position in science education research covers learning media broadly, including the physical environment as a facilitator of learning in science. Relevant academic perspectives may include multimodality, reception, and production of understanding.

Projects that fit within the scope may include pedagogical approaches such as subject didactics, interdisciplinarity, engineering, aesthetic, design-based, and artistic approaches in science education research or practice, as well as site-specific teaching, external learning environments, outdoor school, etc. The focus can be on the learner’s experience and perspective, teacher, teacher education, or the organizational or societal level.

Application and Assessment Criteria
The application must include a 3-page description of a clearly defined, individual research project that fits into and complements the ongoing research at NAFA, especially focusing on Theme 4 Student Experiences in Science and Theme 5 Learning Tools in Science.
Assessment Criteria for Evaluating the Application:

• The research quality and feasibility of the PhD project.
• The relevance of the PhD project to NAFA’s overall objectives and CESE’s current research strategy.
• The academic grounding of the PhD project in existing research.
• The PhD candidate’s reflections on ethical aspects specifically related to the proposed project.
• The qualifications of the PhD candidate.
• The PhD project’s plan to make the project relevant to the field of practice and for knowledge transfer through education, dissemination, or development activities.

The received applications will be assessed by an evaluation committee. Subsequently, an employment committee will invite for job interviews.

Applicant Requirements
The applicant is expected to have a relevant master’s degree in pedagogy or education studies or possess other qualifications that provide a sufficient knowledge level to conduct educational research within the field of science education. Master’s candidates approaching the completion of their studies will also be considered and should include a statement from their supervisors about their upcoming completion.
Applications to a 4+4 PhD program are also welcome.

Enrollment and Employment
The successful applicant will be enrolled in the PhD school at the Faculty of Science at SDU and will join the Science and Mathematics Education and Communication Research Training Programme (SMEC) at the Centre for Research in Science Education and Communication (FNUG).

The PhD candidate will be connected to both an active research and development environment at a university college and the research environment at SDU. The PhD candidate will be supervised by a team consisting of a co-supervisor from a university college and a main supervisor from a university.

If the applicant is already employed at a Danish university college, it will be possible to continue in this position while enrolled as a PhD student. If the applicant does not hold a position at a Danish university college, they will be employed at the University of Southern Denmark.

Employment is for a period of three years. The PhD study is conducted as a full-time study during this three year period.

More Information

• Potential applicants are encouraged to seek further information and discuss project ideas with supervisors Connie Svabo, SDU (svabo@imada.sdu.dk) and Morten Christensen, UCL Odense (moch1@ucl.dk).
• Questions regarding the PhD position’s connection to NAFA themes can be directed to CESE Research Leader Martin Sillasen (msil@via.dk).
• Application deadline: September 15, 2024.
• The proposed start date is December 1, 2024.
• For further information, please contact Professor Connie Svabo (SDU) or Associate Professor Morten Christensen (UCL).

Application, salary etc.
Appointment as a PhD Research Fellow is for three years. Employment stops automatically at the end of the period. The holder of the scholarship is not allowed to have other paid employment during the three-year period.

The successful applicant will be employed in accordance with the agreement on salaried PhD scholars between the Ministry of Finance and AC (the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations). Please check links for more information on salary and taxation.
The successful candidate will be enrolled at this university in accordance with faculty regulations and the Danish Ministerial Order on the PhD Programme at the Universities (PhD order).

Further information about the PhD-study can be found at the homepage of the University.

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

Application must be in English and made in the form of a Declaration of Interest including the following:

• A research proposal/description of your approach to the above project (max one page excluding references).
• A letter stating your specific interest, motivation, and qualifications for the project in question (max. two pages) (please attach this under box “Application form”).
• Detailed CV, including personal contact information.
• Copies of diplomas, Bachelor as well as Master’s degree, including transcript of notes/grades.
• At least two signed reference letters. Should your referees wish to send their letters directly to us, please have them use e-mail: solda@sdu.dk mentioning your name and the title of the position in the subject line. And please note that these also need to reach us before deadline.

Shortlisting may be used in the assessment process.
Incomplete applications and applications received after the deadline will neither be considered nor evaluated. This also applies to reference letters.
Applications will be assessed by an expert assessor/committee. Applicants will be informed of their assessment by the university.

Applications should be sent electronically via the link "Apply now". The faculty expects applicants to read the information "How to apply" before applying. Please note that the application documents should be in pdf-format and attached as three documents: motivation letter, CV and the remaining documents.
We recommend that as an international applicant you take the time to visit Work in Denmark where you will find information and facts about moving to, working and living in Denmark, as well as the International Staff Office at SDU.