Postdoc in Communication and Learning in Science

Information about the research
This is an open call for a postdoctoral project focusing on any topic bridging at least two (ideally more) of the following broader areas of research with a higher education focus:

• teaching and learning in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) education
• learning design and learning experiences in STEM education
• integrating communication and learning in higher education
• technology enhanced learning
• authentic learning environments
• education for sustainable development
• academic and/or disciplinary literacy
• writing research
• genre studies

Decisive drivers of research conducted by Department of Communication and Learning in Science (CLS) are the rapid and extensive digitization of academia and industry, the increased internationalization of academia and higher education, and the globalization of industry. Knowledge of the effects of these paradigmatic changes in society is still limited. CLS scholars address this research need by focusing on communication and learning as necessary components to promote and manage technological understanding and development, digitalization and internationalization/ globalization.

The department’s research constitutes an important part of its mission to operate – on a scientific basis
– as an educational hub and quality enhancer in relation to Chalmers’ other areas of research, education and utilization.

Major responsibilities
As a postdoctoral scholar, your major responsibility is to conduct research related to one or several dedicated project(s). Your research activities will contribute to enhanced knowledge in the scientific field, in particular by presenting your research work in scientific journals, at international conferences or in other academic (or indeed non-academic) outlets. In addition, you will be expected to collaborate with other scholars and seek external funding for research to enable the establishment of a future research platform involving your own as well as other's research. Finally, depending on your research experience and research interests, you will be expected to serve as a mentor and/or supervisor to junior researchers at the department, particularly PhD-students and masters students (comprising < 10% of your time). The position may also involve some minor teaching commitments (< 5% of your time).

Position summary
Full-time temporary employment. The position is limited to a maximum of two years (1+1).

Qualifications
The successful applicant has a Ph.D. degree, obtained after 2015-12-31, in a field that is relevant to the research project described in their proposal/application (e.g. Education Science, Education Studies, Educational Psychology, Applied Linguistics, Educational Linguistics, or Composition and Rhetoric). Alternatively, the applicant has a Ph.D. degree in Engineering, obtained after 2015-12-31, with a strong interest and significant documented experience in a research field that is relevant to the proposed research project.

The applicant must have:
• Knowledge of and experience in applying quantitative and qualitative research methods (to the extent that this is relevant to the proposed project)
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English.
• A strong publication record in highly ranked journals/conferences relevant to the field of research.

It is meritorious if the applicant has a higher education teaching diploma/equivalent. Additional meritorious qualifications include:
• Ambition and success in attracting external funding
• Participation in international research networks within the research area
• Teamwork skills to work closely and collaboratively with colleagues (and external partners)
• Experience working with students and/or teachers in close-to-practice educational research
• Swedish language skills

Application procedure
The application should be marked with Ref 20200159 and written in English. The application should be sent electronically and be attached as pdf-files, as below:

CV: (Please name the document as: CV, Surname, Ref. number) including:
• CV, include complete list of publications
• Previous teaching and pedagogical experiences
• Two references that we can contact.

Personal letter: (Please name the document as: Personal letter, Family name, Ref. number)
1-3 pages where you:
• Introduce yourself
• Describe your previous research fields and main research results
• Describe your future goals and future research focus

Other documents:
• Attested copies of completed education, grades and other certificates.

Mandatory:
In addition to the CV, personal letter and other supporting documents, each applicant is required to submit a tentative project proposal of no more than two A4 pages, excluding references. The document should be titled "Project proposal". The proposal should articulate - in very broad terms - the kind of research project the applicant would be interested in conducting and why (focusing on the purpose, methods, possible results and the significance of those results in view of the state of the art of the relevant research field). When writing the proposal, it is important that the applicant displays how the proposed scholarly work bridges research focusing on learning in higher education and language and/or communication.

Please use the button at the foot of the page to reach the application form. The files may be compressed (zipped).

Application deadline: 15 May, 2020