Professor of Mathematics Education
Permanent position
Full time
The application deadline is 2024-02-29
Ref no: ORU 2.1.1-04037/2023
We are looking for a professor of mathematics education for a permanent position at the School of Science and Technology.
Subject area
The subject area for this position is: Mathematics
Background
The mathematics division at Örebro University accommodates research and education in both mathematics and mathematics education. The fact that several of our members of staff research and teach in both fields is a great asset to us. The division has about 25 members of staff and around a third has a primary focus on mathematics education. At present, there is one visiting professor of mathematics education at the division. We also collaborate with lecturers and researchers of science education.
The division’s mathematics education research group are united around an interest in practice-based research, and they collaborate with in-service teachers on most of their research projects. The focus of the research conducted is on characterising and understanding learning processes and the teaching of mathematics, but also on the resources needed to support the development of mathematics teaching. Learn more about the research group here.
The collaboration within the group involves joint seminars where researchers present and process their own texts as well as new and exciting ideas put forward in other mathematics education research. The group strives to expand the exchange and collaboration with other research environments in mathematics education, both nationally and internationally.
We are now seeking a professor of mathematics education who wants, and has the ability, to take the lead in building on this setup and continuing the development of our mathematics education research environment. As professor of mathematics education with us, you will also play a significant role in developing the collaboration with colleagues in science education, with the aim of creating more joint and fruitful projects.
Duties and responsibilities
As professor, you will normally spend most of your working hours on research. Your duties and responsibilities include working actively to bring in external research grants to the subject, take overall responsibility for its research activities, and monitor its development internationally. As professor, you are expected to engage in education at all three levels and to communicate and collaborate around your own and the subject’s research activities. You are moreover expected to make yourself available for management and administrative assignments at the university.
On the research side, you are expected to take a leading role in continuing to build, develop and define our research environment both internally and externally. Supervision of doctoral students and doctoral level courses are also an integral part of your duties and responsibilities.
We view the courses and study programmes offered by the division as a matter of joint concern. On the teaching side, you are therefore expected to take an active role on our teacher education programmes, in terms of both teaching and course development. In practice, this may include lectures, assessment and supervision of independent projects.
Qualifications and assessment criteria
A person who has demonstrated both research and teaching expertise is qualified for employment as a professor, and when assessed, as much attention is to be given to the applicant’s teaching expertise as to their research expertise. The assessment is also to consider the applicant’s qualifications and experience from collaboration with the wider community, of which the university is a part, as well as national and international experience and mobility. In addition, the applicant’s suitability for the position and their leadership skills will be assessed.
Research expertise
The applicant’s research expertise is assessed based on national and international standing and recognition in the scientific community. Research expertise is demonstrated through independent research contributions that significantly exceed the requirements for appointment as a docent, in terms of both quality and quantity and number of publications and citations in accordance with the disciplinary traditions of the post applied for. Further evidence of recognition is provided by the ability to lead and develop research as well as through supervision of doctoral students. It is desirable that an applicant has been principal supervisor to at least two doctoral students who have successfully defended their theses. Research expertise also encompasses being/having been the principal researcher of projects with grants awarded in competition and appointments to positions of trust within academia.
It is desirable that the applicant has a research interest that, at least to some degree, is in line with the areas of interest currently held by the research group.
Teaching expertise
The completion of courses equivalent to 10 weeks of study in teaching and learning in higher education is a general qualification requirement for permanent employment as a professor at Örebro University. Örebro University may also assess whether other experience of teaching in higher education meets this assessment criterion. A professor who on appointment lacks training in teaching and learning in higher education or equivalent expertise undertakes to complete the requisite training course(s) within two years of their appointment. Appointment as a professor also requires that the applicant has completed training in supervising doctoral students.
At Örebro University, teaching expertise is assessed in the categories teaching approach, teaching approach in practice, and professional development as a teacher. Applicants’ teaching qualifications shall be documented in accordance with Örebro University’s template for teaching portfolios and clearly relate to the values set out in Örebro University’s educational philosophy.
The assessment of applicant’s teaching expertise is based on the breadth and scope of various forms of working and teaching at the bachelor’s, master’s and/or doctoral levels, including experience of individual supervision at various levels, in addition to doctoral supervision. In addition, applicants’ ability to develop, plan, implement and evaluate teaching and examination formats is assessed, as is their ability to contribute to the pedagogical development of teaching, such as preparing teaching material, learning aids and/or governance documents for teaching. The assessment of teaching expertise is further based on applicants’ experience of management and leadership responsibilities at the bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral levels that have actively promoted student learning. Applicants’ ability to link teaching to research and contribute to a scientific approach in their teaching will also be assessed.
Experience and abilities mentioned above that are directly associated with teacher education are considered a particular advantage.
Collaboration and public engagement skills
The ability to interact with the surrounding society is an important part of a professor’s role and it requires a good understanding of various societal processes and the impact of university activities on these. Assessment of collaboration and public engagement skills looks at three aspects: the ability to communicate, the ability to collaborate with the surrounding society, and the ability to facilitate utilisation of the university’s research. Applicants are expected to present national and international external relations and collaborations. The ability to communicate research and science is to be considered along with the ability to conduct research in collaboration with the wider community and the ability to utilise research so that it benefits society.
Previous experience of close collaboration with schools and a wide network within mathematics education research, nationally and internationally, are considered an advantage. Another advantage is if applicants have experience of collaboration with researchers within science education or education researchers in other subjects.
Leadership skills
In assessing leadership and administrative skills, the applicant’s qualifications and experience from leadership roles within education and research are to be considered, such as a proven ability to lead activities and staff, and an ability to organise and lead research projects, research teams and/or study programmes. Experience of serving in academic positions of trust, such as faculty assignments or appointments with government research funding bodies will also be considered.
It is desirable that the applicant has previous experience of developing and building research environments within the field of mathematics education.
Suitability
Suitability refers to the applicant having the personal qualities required to successfully perform the duties and responsibilities at hand, to cooperate with other members of staff, and to drive the development of the operations in question. Applicants are also expected to have the ability to make research-ethical considerations and to follow good research practice.
Other assessment criteria
Documented interpersonal and communicative skills are considered an advantage.
A good command of English is a requirement. A good ability to communicate orally and in writing in Swedish is considered an advantage.
Information
This is a permanent full-time position. At Örebro University, salary depends on the successful candidate’s qualifications and experience.
For more information about the position, contact deputy Head of Unit Malin Hagström +46 19 30 37 09, email: malin.hagstrom@oru.se, Head of Division Henrik Olsson, +46 19 30 12 36, email: henrik.olsson@oru.se, or Head of School Mattias Bäckström, +46 19 30 39 65, email: mattias.backstrom@oru.se,
At Örebro University, we expect each member of staff to be open to development and change; take responsibility for their work and performance; demonstrate a keen interest in collaboration and contribute to development; as well as show respect for others by adopting a constructive and professional approach.
Örebro University actively pursues equal opportunities and gender equality as well as a work environment characterised by openness, trust and respect. We value the qualities that diversity adds to our operations.
Örebro University aims to improve the gender balance among professors and especially encourages female candidates to apply.
Application
The application is made online. Click the button “Apply” to begin the application procedure.
For the application to be complete, the following electronic documents must be included:
Only documents written in Swedish, English, Norwegian and Danish can be reviewed.
More information for applicants will be found at out career site: https://www.oru.se/english/working-at-orebro-university/jobs-and-vacancies/applicants-and-external-experts/
The application deadline is 2024-02-29. We look forward to receiving your application!
After the application deadline, no supplements can be made electronically. If you have scientific publications that cannot be attached electronically to the application, you will, once the external experts have been appointed, receive instructions on how the missing publications can be submitted.
As we have already made our choices in terms of external collaboration partners and marketing efforts for this recruitment process, we decline any contact with recruitment agencies and advertisers.
As directed by the National Archives of Sweden (Riksarkivet), we are required to deposit one file copy of the application documents, excluding publications, for a period of two years after the appointment decision has gained legal force.
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