About the positions

Up to three 100% positions as PhD Research Fellows in Mathematics Education are available at the University of Agder, Faculty of Engineering and Science, affiliated to the Department of Mathematical Sciences, for a period of three years. The positions are located at Campus Kristiansand, and the fellow must be present at the campus for a dominant part of the time.The starting date is negotiable with the Faculty.

The fellowships are within the Department of Mathematical Sciences. The Department has a large and active research center in mathematics education, MERGA, with about 15 fellows on its PhD programme. The PHD Research Fellows appointed will join MERGA. We are looking for three PhD Research Fellows, for positions connected to three of the four current research groups within MERGA. There will be one position connected to each of the three projects described below. This means that it is possible for a candidate to apply for more than one project, with a separate proposal for each.

The mathematics education research group has substantial and on-going experience of leading and contributing to large research projects funded by the EU, the Research Council of Norway, Nordforsk, the Competence Development Fund of Southern Norway, and others. The Department hosts the Graduate School in Mathematics and Science Education in Norway, MaScE and contributes actively to the Nordic mathematics education community. The University of Agder has excellent library support and collection of research literature in mathematics education (in English and Scandinavian languages) and on-line access to all leading journals in the field.

Research proposal project

The application must contain a research proposal. The proposal (preliminary) sets out background, rationale, recent work and research design for the intended study. This should not extend beyond about 5 pages. It must be evident which projects below it relates to (Project 1, 2 or 3).

Project 1: Creating opportunities for productive ambiguity, productive struggle, and productive failure in mathematics education

This project is connected to the research group Math-CuSP: Cultural, Social, and Political Perspectives on Mathematics Education

This PhD project focuses on productive ambiguity, productive struggle, and productive failure in mathematics education. Although these three concepts are often treated separately in the mathematics education literature, the project seeks to examine them in relation to one another and to explore the extent and nature of their connections. It aims to investigate how these concepts can be understood, developed, and studied empirically across a range of educational contexts. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to shape the project in line with their own interests and may, for example, focus on pre-service teacher education, in-service teacher professional development, or school-based research in mathematics classrooms. These are intended as illustrative research directions rather than as an exhaustive list. The project will contribute to knowledge about the teaching and learning of mathematics in ways that value uncertainty, sustained effort, and reflection.

Project 2: Recruitment to STEM grades 8-13 Teacher Education Programs

This project is connected to the research group Mathematics in Higher Education.

In Norway STEM grades 8-13 teacher programs are facing a sharp decline in recruitment. Statistics show that from 2019 to 2024 the number of first-choice applicants to STEM teacher education programmes dropped by more than half. Thus, Norway needs a strategy for recruitment to these programs. Melander and Lind (2021) responding to these challenges, argued for availability of a one-year “add-on” programme that allowed students from non-STEM upper-secondary backgrounds to enter university STEM programmes. Additionally, they found that targeted efforts to improve girls’ and women’s attitudes toward STEM increased recruitment effectively over time. In Norway, we need to know why students are not entering STEM grades 8-13 teacher education programmes and develop incentives that are rooted in knowledge of individual and systemic obstacles and lost opportunities for recruitment. This project aims to produce knowledge of such individual and systemic obstacles and lost opportunities and develop incentives and establish policy guidelines to increase recruitment.

Project 3: Comparing and measuring quantities as an approach to develop number sense in primary school.

This project is connected to the research group Mathematics teaching and learning in kindergarten and early school years

This project is inspired by Davydov’s mathematics curriculum and seeks to understand how comparing continuous quantities and measuring continuous quantities can develop primary school children’s number sense. Davydov argues that, when introducing children to mathematics, teachers should focus on comparisons of physical attributes of objects and continuous quantities rather than on counting and numbers. Comparisons of quantities can be described using concepts such as shorter than, longer than, or equally long (when focusing on length), and can be represented by relational statements such as G > L, where the letters represent the quantities being compared. After working with comparisons of quantities, teachers should focus on measurement. In Davydov’s approach, the concept of a unit is a prerequisite for understanding the concept of number. Measuring requires a unit (either discrete or continuous). For example, if you are going to count socks, you must decide whether the unit is a pair or a single sock. Likewise, if you are going to measure an amount of sugar, you must decide whether a spoonful or a cup is the unit. This also lays the groundwork for understanding higher‑order units (such as the base‑10 system), as well as how a unit may be divided into smaller units or parts (fractions). Therefore, the project could focus on children’s development of the unit concept or the fraction concept through Davydov’s approach. Candidates are welcome to propose other theoretical approaches or additional to Davydov's approach to investigate the project topic.

Required qualifications

The candidates must hold a master’s degree in Mathematics Education or a closely related and relevant field.

This year’s master’s candidates/candidates where the final evaluation result is ready by June 2026 can also apply.

As a general rule, the following should normally apply:

The average grade for courses included in the bachelor's degree (or equivalent) should be C (or equivalent) or higher.
The average grade for all courses (including the dissertation) in the master’s degree should be B (or equivalent) or higher.
The master's dissertation (or equivalent) should have the grade B (or equivalent) or higher.
When the applicant's average grades are lower than required, the hosting research group at the Faculty of Engineering and Science must document the probability of the applicant being able to complete the PhD programme. In such an event, the Faculty of Engineering and Science may recommend extra requirements to be included in the basis for admission.
Competence in English is a requirement for all applicants to the PhD programme. International candidates that are not exempt from the English language requirements pursuant to the guidelines of the Norwegian Agency for Quality Assurance in Education (NOKUT), must document this through one of the following tests with the stated results or better:
- TOEFL - Test of English as a Foreign Language with a minimum score of 600 for the Paperbased Test (PBT), or 92 for the Internet-based Test (iBT)
- IELTS - International English Language Testing System, with the result of 6.5

The applicant must submit an approved project description within three months of appointment. More information about the programmes and a complete list of admission requirements to the PhD-programme in Engineering and Science, Specialisation in Mathematical Sciences can be found here.

Criteria for positions as PhD Research Fellow (in Norwegian).

Desired qualifications

The working language at the University of Agder is Norwegian. Proficiency in Norwegian or another Scandinavian language, both written and oral, is strongly desired.
The research group includes Norwegian and international scholars, and the research will be carried out at the University of Agder and in classes being taught in Norwegian. Additional University classes from elsewhere in Norway might also be included.

Length of relevant school/university teaching experience will also be taken into account in the selection of a suitable candidate.

Experience in one or several of the below are also beneficial

Collaboration in larger or smaller research projects and / or working groups.
Knowledge and experience of conducting literature reviews.
Documented competence in qualitative and/or quantitative research methods.

At the University of Agder, PhD dissertations are usually written in English. Occasionally it may be written in Norwegian or another Scandinavian language.

Personal qualities

Personal suitability and good teamwork skills will be emphasized in the evaluation as well as relevant practical experience. Research Fellows are expected to contribute to the active research community at the University. The position places demands on the applicant’s capacity for independent goal-oriented work, ability to concentrate and attention to detail.

Ability to familiarize oneself with new issues and methodological approaches. Applicants will be assessed on the basis of academic background and results, attainment, and any previous research activity, in addition to a (preliminary) research proposal submitted with the application (see below).

Research visits to an external institution or with a national or international partner for part of the period of employment may be anticipated.

We offer

professional development in a large, exciting and socially influential organisation
a positive, inclusive and diverse working environment
modern facilities and a comprehensive set of welfare offers
membership of the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund

More about working at UiA.

The position is remunerated according to the State Salary Scale, salary plan 17.515, code 1017 PhD Research Fellow, NOK 550 800 gross salary per year. A compulsory pension contribution to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund is deducted from the pay according to current statutory provisions.

General information

UiA is an open and inclusive university. We believe that diversity enriches the workplace and makes us better. We, therefore, encourage qualified candidates to apply for the position irrespective of gender, age, cultural background, disability or an incomplete CV.

The successful applicant will have rights and obligations in accordance with the current regulations for the position, and organisational changes and changes in the duties and responsibilities of the position must be expected. The engagement is to be made in accordance with the regulations in force concerning the acts relating to Control of Export of Strategic Goods, Services and Technology. Appointment is made by the University of Agder’s Appointments Committee for Teaching and Research Positions.

A background check may be conducted to verify information that appears in available documents. Background checks are always done with the applicant's consent, and employment in the position requires an approved background check. Relevant applicants will receive further information.

Short-listed applicants will be invited for interview. With the applicant’s permission, UiA will also conduct a reference check before appointment. Read more about the applying for a position process.

In accordance with the Freedom of Information Act § 25 (2), applicants may request that they are not identified in the open list of applicants. The University, however, reserves the right to publish the names of applicants. Applicants will be advised of the University’s intention to exercise this right.

Application

The application and any necessary information about education and experience (including diplomas and certificates) are to be sent electronically. Use the link "Apply for this job".

The following documentation must be uploaded electronically:

A letter of application which includes a rationale for applying for the position, together with an outline of the applicant’s research interests and ability to conduct the proposed project within the outlined research proposal area.
Certificates with grades.
Master’s thesis.
References.
A summary and links to the applicant's scientific publications, if produced, must be included if to be considered.
A short research proposal (preliminary) that sets out background, rationale, recent work and research design for the intended study. This should not extend beyond about 5 pages, but it will form an important part of the evaluation of candidates. It must be evident that it relates well to one of the three proposed projects (under the heading “Research proposal project”).
Any other relevant documentation.

The applicant is fully responsible for submitting complete digital documentation before the closing date. We draw your attention to the fact that candidates who do not include all required documentation listed above will not be included in the evaluation process if attachments are missing. All documentation must be available in a Scandinavian language or English.

Application deadline: 12.05.26.

Contact

For questions about the positions:

Project 1: Professor Konstantinos Xenofontos, tel (+47) 38 14 21 53, e-mail konstantinos.xenofontos@uia.no
Project 2: Professor Martin Carlsen, tel (+47) 38 14 16 59 martin.carlsen@uia.no
Project 3: Associate Professor Svanhild Breive, tel (+47) 38 14 19 81, e-mail svanhild.breive@uia.no

For questions about the application process:

HR-advisor Heidi Kristensen, tel. (+47) 38 14 13 79, e-mail heidi.kristensen@uia.no

Creating knowledge together

When people who are committed come together to further knowledge, anything is possible.

The University of Agder combines the unique warmth and charm of Southern Norway with first-class scientific, technological and artistic expertise.

Would you like to work with us to create better solutions to our shared challenges?

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AMM-5UKuldA

Three PhD Research Fellows in Mathematics Education