Doctoral student in Science Didactics with focus on preschool education

Linnaeus University was established when Kalmar University and Växjö University merged. The Department of Biology and Environmental Science is part of the Faculty of Health and Life Sciences. The research activities within the Department of Biology and Environmental Science include the areas of aquatic ecology, cell and organism biology, evolutionary biology, microbiology, environmental science and environmental engineering as well as zoonotic ecology.

Field of subject field for the appointment
Natural Science Didactics
Placement city
Kalmar

Job description
The research project underlying the PhD studies is part of an ongoing longitudinal study that aims to explore preschool children’s versions of, and use of, chemistry beyond the actual learning opportunity. The study involves preschools in the Kalmar region and researchers at Linnaeus University and other universities, including Kristianstad University. In this project, young children’s learning is viewed from a post-structural perspective using a dynamic systems approach, where an individual’s micro-level and environmental restrictions, e.g. group dynamics and the physical environment, provide a level of self-organisation that cause more general developmental patterns to emerge. We are concerned both with describing the more general patterns as well as the premises that underly pattern emergence. Beyond the learning situation, focus will be placed on the aspects of chemistry that children relate to and transform into their daily activities. The research work shall primarily entail field studies, data analysis and the communication of results in written and oral presentations to academics, preschool teachers and the general public, in Sweden and abroad. Results will contribute to the development of the content of the subject of chemistry in preschool education.

Requirements
A person fulfils the general entry requirements if he/she has


• Completed a degree or equivalent in preschool education, primary school education, or the equivalent.
• Completed courses totaling at least 240 higher education credits (ETCS), of which at least 60 at second-cycle (advanced) level in a related field, or
• In any other way, in Sweden or abroad, has acquired principally equivalent knowledge.

Specific requirements
Specific prerequisites for admission to graduate studies in Natural Science Didactics are


• Courses in natural science or natural science didactics, or equivalent, of at least 90 credits
• A minimum of 7.5 credits of independent project (thesis) work in the above field, or equivalent
• high degree of proficiency in written and spoken Swedish and English

Assessment grounds



• Experience and skills in qualitative research techniques of relevance to the research project
• The applicant’s creativity and capacities to work as part of a team, to work independently, to handle stress, and to work in a structured manner.
• Senior high school (gymnasieskola) natural science is a merit

Conditions of employment
According to the Higher Education Ordinance a person appointed to a doctoral studentship should primarily devote himself/herself to his/her own studies. An appointee may, however, work to a limited extent with education, research, artistic development, and administration. However, before a doctoral degree has been awarded, duties of this kind may not comprise more than 20% of a full-time post.

Contacts:
Dr Karina Adbo, +46 480 446298, e-mail karina.adbo@lnu.se, Head of Department: Per-Eric Betzholtz, +46 480-446249, e-mail per-eric.betzholtz@lnu.se , Human resources consultant: Christian Andersson,+46 470-708506, e-mail christian.andersson@lnu.se
Union representatives and the student union can be reached through the university switchboard, +46 77228 8000.

The application (in English) should contain: CV (including telephone, email, current address and date of birth), application letter (maximum four pages) containing descriptions of motivation for applying, compliance with the assessment criteria, expectations for the PhD studies, signed copies of documents containing grades for courses completed, signed copies of degrees awarded and other evidence supporting the candidate’s basic qualifications in relation to the other assessment criteria given above, summary (maximum two pages) of the master thesis or previous degree examination projects, names and contact information (including title, affiliation, telephone, email address) for two persons prepared to provide references to written letters of recommendation andcopies of any other relevant documents. Last day for application is March 13th 2017.

 


Linnaeus University has the ambition to utilize the qualities that an even gender distribution and diversity brings to the organization.

Please apply by clicking on the "Apply" button at the bottom of the ad. Applicants are requested to the application resolving CV, cover letter , a copy of a relevant essay , grades and certificates and other relevant documents. The applicant also requested to submit with their application a proposed research plan within the current area of research. All documents must be attached to digital in the application. The application and other documents shall be marked with the reference number. All documents cited must be received by the University no later than 24.00 on the closing day.