PhD Fellowship position in Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality in Teacher Education

Faculty of Technology, Art and Design, Department of Computer Science

Oslo Metropolitan University is Norway's third largest university with almost 22,000 students and over 2,500 employees. We have campuses in central Oslo and at Romerike. OsloMet educates students and conducts research that contributes to the sustainability of the Norwegian welfare state and the metropolitan region.

The Faculty of Technology, Art and Design (TKD) offers higher education and research and development (R&D) activities within technical subjects, arts and design. The Faculty has approximately 4.000 students and 400 staff members and is situated at Pilestredet Campus in downtown Oslo and at Kjeller Campus in Viken.

The Department of Computer Science offers three bachelor's degree programmes, a master's degree programme, and is part of a cross-departmental PhD program. Academic staff at the department are pursuing research in a wide range of areas including computer science, the natural sciences, and innovation and management. Both students and researchers are also involved in an increasing number of interdisciplinary initiatives across the university.

Faculty of Technology, Art and Design (TKD), Department of Computer Science, is recruiting a candidate for a PhD Fellowship position in Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality in Teacher Education. This is a multi-disciplinary project at the intersection of Computer Science, Human Computer Interaction, Pedagogy and Ethics. The main aspect with this PhD-project will be to contribute with new knowledge in improving the conditions of using AR/VR as a part of teacher training within teacher education programs.

Area of research

Teacher education often involves problem-based and scenario-based learning approaches. The benefits and drawbacks of using AR/VR will be investigated by means of designing and developing a series of dynamic software prototypes that will simulate teaching scenarios and experiences.

The respective effectiveness and user experience are central aspects of the project and should be evaluated by means of qualitative and quantitative approaches. The project is expected to contribute to the understanding of which medium (AR or VR) is more appropriate in the context of teacher education. The candidate is expected to design and develop AR and/or VR software solutions and usable user interface designs. Since that requires specialist knowledge the project is expected to mitigate this issue by enabling non-technical users to have input into tailoring the AR/VR software.

In addition, this project will gain a thorough understanding of the ethical issues in using AR/VR and methodically map the benefits and drawbacks of using and integrating AR/VR for teacher education within established degree programs. Ethical issues will be investigated theoretically by thoroughly reviewing the existing literature and relevant legislation. Finally, since much of the work for the project is technical in nature, it is expected that significant new knowledge will be generated for the field of AR/VR and linked to these computer science and human computer interaction.

Main duties of the position

Design, development and evaluation of AR/VR prototypes

Conducting research with users

Researching pedagogical possibilities of VR/AR in the context of teacher education

Researching ethical aspects of the use of VR/AR in teacher education

Carrying out research within appropriate research methods

The fellowship will be for a period of three years, or alternatively, four years including 25% compulsory work (teaching and supervision activities or research administrative work). The decision on whether a 3 or a 4-year position is suitable will be discussed as part of the interview process. The academic work is to result in a doctoral thesis that will be defended at the Faculty to obtain the degree PhD.

Qualification requirements

Master's degree in computer science, Human Computer Interaction and/or Universal Design of computer systems. The degree must be equivalent to 120 credits with an average grade of A or B within a scale of A-E passing of grades

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or similar

Proficiency in both written and spoken English

Programming ability

User interface design and development knowledge

In-depth knowledge of and experience with universal design of computer/software systems

Knowledge of designing and carrying out evaluations of computer systems

Statistical analysis knowledge, e.g. using SPSS or similar

Admission to the doctoral program Innovation for Sustainability at the Faculty of Technology, Art and Design at OsloMet, within 3 months after employment in the position, is a prerequisite for joining the position. To be admitted to the PhD program, the applicant must have a B or better at the master's degree and C or better at the bachelor's degree. Candidates who already hold a PhD in the same or similar field may not apply.

The final plan for research work must be approved and agreed upon no later than 3 months after joining the department. Applicants who already hold a PhD, in the same or related field, cannot apply. General criteria for appointments to academic positions are covered by the Forskrift om ansettelsesvilkår for stillinger som postdoktor, stipendiat, vitenskapelig assistent og spesialistkandidat.

The following will be considered an advantage

Knowledge of AR/VR, Unity or similar

Knowledge of C++, C# and/or Python

Knowledge of a Scandinavian language

Ability to work in line with theories relevant in educational settings

Experience in teaching and assessment

We are looking for applicants who have:

Ability to work in an interdisciplinary context

Ability to work with others and independently

Ability to be motivated and engaged with computer science research and contribute to its advancement

Interest of formal educational systems and teaching practices

Personal suitability will be emphasised. It is important to OsloMet to reflect the population of our region, and all qualified candidates are welcome to apply. We make active endeavours to further develop OsloMet as an inclusive workplace and to make adaptations to the workplace where required. You are also welcome to apply for a position with us if you have had periods where you have not been in employment, education or training.

Expert evaluation

An expert committee will assess the applications. You must upload the following documents with the application within the final date for applications:

Application letter, describing your motivations for applying to this fellowship as well as a short overview of the qualifications, technical skills, experience, and personal skills that make you an attractive candidate for a successful and productive completion of this work.

Project description in English or a Scandinavian language of up to two pages

CV and copies of diplomas and transcripts of bachelor´s and master´s degree (which list subjects and grades) and certificates.The certificates/diplomas must include ECTS grades (A– F). Foreign diplomas must be translated into English by the degree-conferring institution. Education taken abroad should preferably be recognised in advance by NOKUT, and a confirmed copy of the letter of recognition should be enclosed

Names and contact details of 2-3 references (name, relation to candidate, email, and telephone number).

Master's thesis and any other scholarly work that the expert committee should take into consideration

Applicants from countries where English is not the first language must present an official language test report. The following tests qualify as such documentation: TOEFL, IELTS, 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 is accepted).

The following applicants are exempt from the above-mentioned language requirements:

Applicants from EU/EEA countries.

Applicants who have completed one year of university studies in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the UK or USA.

Applicants with an International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma.

We only process applications sent via our electronic recruitment system and all documents must be uploaded for your application to be processed. The documents must be in either English or a Scandinavian language. Translations must be authorized. Originals must be presented if you are invited for an interview. OsloMet performs document inspections in order to give you as a candidate a proper evaluation and ensure fair competition. Incomplete applications will not be considered. The final project plan will be made in collaboration with the assigned supervisor when applying for admission to the doctoral programme.

We can offer you

An exciting job opportunity at Norway's third largest and most urban university

Opportunities for professional development

An interdisciplinary research environment

Beneficial pension arrangements with the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund (spk.no/en/)

Beneficial welfare schemes and a wide range of sports and cultural offers

Free Norwegian language classes to employees and their partners/spouses

Workplace in downtown Oslo with multiple cultural offers

Practical information about relocation to Oslo and living in Norway.

Other information

If you would like more information about the position, feel free to contact:

Head of Group Siri Fagernes

Professor Pietro Murano, +47 67 23 87 40, [email protected]

Associate Professor Lotta Johansson, +47 67 23 54 48, [email protected]

The salary for the position is in accordance with the pay scale for Norwegian state employees, job title and position code. State salary NOK 532 200 per year.

The engagement is to be made in accordance with the regulations in force concerning State Employees and Civil Servants, and the acts relating to Control of the Export of Strategic Goods, Services and Technology.

A background check may be conducted to verify information in submitted CVs and available documents. Background checks are not conducted without the consent of the applicant and relevant applicants will receive further information about this.

OsloMet has adhered to the principles in the DORA declaration and obliged the institution to follow the recommendations in this declaration.

If you would like to apply for the position, you must do so electronically through our recruitment system.

Deadline for application: 30.11.2023 Ref.: 23/07019

OsloMet is a Charter & Code certified institution by the EU Commisson holding the right to use the logo HR Excellence in Research (HRS4R). OsloMet is a member of the EURAXESS network supporting a positive work environment for researchers in motion.

OsloMet has signed The Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA). DORA recognizes the need to improve the ways in which the outputs of scholarly research are evaluated.

Type of employment Stipendiat

Contract type Full time Salary I henhold til Hovedtariffavtalene i staten og OsloMets lønnspolitikk Number of positions 1 Full-time equivalent 100 City Oslo County Oslo Country Norway Reference number 23/05707 Contact

Siri Fagernes, +4767238663

Published 25.Oct.2023 Last application date 30.Nov.2023 11:59 PM CET

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