Job: PhD fellowship in Game-based Learning at Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU)

[Note: Even if this position isn’t of interest the EduApp4Syria project may be. –Matthew]

PhD fellowship in Game-based Learning
The Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU)

https://www.jobbnorge.no/en/available-jobs/job/122776/phd-fellowship-in-game-based-learning

Deadline for application: 04.04.2016

The Faculty of Information Technology, Mathematics and Electrical Engineering (http://www.ntnu.edu/ime) at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) has a vacancy for one PhD research fellow position in Game-based Learning at the Department of Computer and Information Science (http://www.ntnu.edu/idi).

The appointment is for a term of 3 years without duties. This is a researcher training position aimed at providing promising researcher recruits the opportunity of academic development in the form of a doctoral degree.

INFORMATION ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT

Currently there are 24 professors and 14 associate professors at the department. In addition there are 16 adjunct associate professors, 15 postdoctoral researchers, approx. 70 active PhD students, and 18 technical/administrative staff. Five of the tenured scientific positions are held by women, and eight are from other countries than Norway. Research activities are organized into groups and strategic European and National projects as documented here http://www.ntnu.edu/idi/research.

WORK DESCRIPTION

The candidate will be a member of the EduApp4Syria project team (http://norad.no/eduapp4syria) within the department’s Information Systems and Software Engineering research group. The aim of the EduApp4Syria project is to develop engaging smartphone applications that can help the 2.8 million Syrian children who are currently out of school learn to read and contribute to their psychosocial wellbeing. The engaging smartphone applications will build on the principles of game-based learning and will be developed by contestants in an innovation competition which has been launched by the Norwegian government. The project is multi-disciplinary, drawing on expertise from game-development, user-centered design, human computer interaction, Arabic language, literacy, pedagogy, and psychology. The PhD candidate will work on the testing, evaluation and analysis of the effect of the resulting learning games on Syrian out-of-school children, analyze the opportunity for using game-based learning more broadly as part of aid funded interventions, and identify and further develop methods to spread, maintain, and ensure uptake of quality technology and content.

QUALIFICATIONS

To be considered for the PhD fellowship the student must have a completed Master’s Degree in computer science/software engineering or equivalent, where the weighted average grade of the two years of the Master program is of B or higher in accordance with NTNU’s grading system.

Solid knowledge of game-based learning as well as practical experience with app development are required. In addition, experience with user-centered design, innovation processes, and empirical studies is preferable.

The candidate must submit a short essay (max. 1000 words) together with the application. The essay shall describe at least one relevant project where the applicant had a major role (e.g. project course, thesis work, start-up, hobby project), and show how it relates to the EduApp4Syria project. All info about the project can be downloaded from the Norad homepage (norad.no/eduapp4syra).

The main working languages are Norwegian and English; therefore the candidate is expected to possess strong skills in oral and written English. As the end users are Arabic, skills in the Arabic Language is desired, but not required.

If the applicant’s mother tongue is not English or a Scandinavian language, and the Master’s Degree is not from an English speaking country, the following tests can be used as documentation: TOEFL, IELTS and Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English (CAE) or Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE). Minimum scores are:

  • TOEFL: 600 (paper-based test), 92 (Internet-based test)
  • IELTS: 6.5, with no section lower than 5.5 (only Academic IELTS test accepted)
  • CAE/CPE: grade B or A

FORMAL REGULATIONS

Appointments are made in accordance with the regulations in force regarding terms of employment for PhD candidates issued by the Ministry of Education and Research, with relevant parts of the additional guidelines for appointment as a PhD candidate at NTNU. Applicants must undertake to participate in an organized PhD programme of study during their period of employment. The person who is appointed must comply with the conditions that apply at any time to employees in the public sector. In addition, a contract will be signed regarding the period of employment, including duty work if relevant.

Applicants must be qualified for admission as PhD students at NTNU.

See http://www.ntnu.edu/ime/research/phd for information about PhD studies at NTNU. Together with the application, include a description of the research work that is planned for completion during the period of the grant.

SALARY CONDITIONS

The position is in code 1017 Stipendiat, salary grade range 50-62 in the Norwegian State salary scale, gross NOK 430 200 – 529 500 per year, depending on qualifications. A deduction of 2 % is made as a statutory contribution to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund.

GENERAL INFORMATION

We can offer

  • an informal and friendly workplace with dedicated colleagues
  • academic challenges
  • attractive schemes for housing loan, insurance and pensions in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund

The Faculty of Information Technology, Mathematics and Electrical Engineering want to attract outstanding and creative candidates who can contribute to our ongoing research activities. We believe that diversity is important to achieve a good, inclusive working environment. We encourage all qualified candidates to apply, regardless of the gender, disability or cultural background.

The appointment is subject to the conditions in effect at any time for employees in the public sector.

As far as possible, the State workforce should reflect the diversity of the population. Goals of our personnel policy therefore include a balanced distribution in terms of age and gender as well as recruitment of people of immigrant background.

Under Section 25 of the Freedom of Information Act, information about the applicant may be made public even if the applicant has requested not to have his or her name entered on the list of applicants.

The application must contain

  • A cover letter including an explanation of how your research interests and background would fit the position.
  • Information about education and relevant experience (a CV).
  • Certified copies of academic diplomas and certificates.
  • Applicants from universities outside Norway are kindly requested to send a diploma supplement or a similar document, which describes in detail the study and grading system and the rights for further studies associated with the obtained degree.
  • A short essay (up to 1000 words) describing at least one relevant project where the applicant had a major role, and how it relates to the challenges in the EduApp4Syria project.
  • Names and contact information of at least two references

Incomplete applications will not be taken into consideration.

The application must be sent electronically as one combined PDF file via this page (jobbnorge.no).

Potential successful candidate will be interviewed via Skype or other means.

For further information, please contact Professor Alf Inge Wang, e-mail: alfw@idi.ntnu.no, phone: +47 73 59 44 85.

For information about processing of applications, please contact Senior Executive Officer Anne Kristin Bratseth, phone +47 73 59 67 15, e-mail: anne.kristin.bratseth@ime.ntnu.no.

Mark the application: IME 021-2016

Deadline for application: 04.04.2016

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