Postdoc in Educational sciences and (language) teacher development, with a focus on classroom interaction and participation

Mälardalen University is growing and evolving due to increased research funding from the Swedish Government. Join our team on this exciting journey towards MDU`s vision, to be a progressive and collaborative University where together we shape a sustainable future. You can make a difference. Together, we can create a sustainable future through knowledge and innovation. We believe that knowledge and new perspectives are best attained and reached together in collaboration with others – our colleagues, students, the private and public sectors, both nationally and internationally.
Around 20 000 students are currently studying courses and programmes with us in the various domains. We offer education in areas such as design and communication, economics, health, engineering and technology, preschool and compulsory school teacher training as well as in chamber music and opera. In most of our areas we also offer programmes entirely taught in English. We conduct research in all disciplinary domains and our research in Future Energy and Embedded Systems is internationally prominent.
Mälardalen University is located in Sweden, on both sides of Lake Mälaren, with campuses in Eskilstuna and Västerås. Mälardalen is a region dominated by strong growth with several multinational companies based here such as ABB, Volvo, Westinghouse, Alstom and Northvolt. We enjoy close cooperation with the region’s private sector, municipalities, and county councils.

At the School of Education, Culture and Communication (UKK) our students mainly study programmes relating to teacher education, but we also offer programmes and courses in languages and communication, mathematics/applied mathematics, physics, music and opera as well as the preparatory technical foundation year. MDU's research specialisation educational sciences and mathematics is part of the School. We collaborate with the surrounding community and our international partners. Lärum, which is the University's Centre for Teaching and Learning for staff and students, also belongs to UKK.

Take the chance to become a postdoctoral researcher at Sweden's newest university. We are now announcing four postdoctoral positions for those who want to build our future, contributing not only to the development of our university but also to our country.

The four postdoctoral positions (one for each school) are part of MDU's strategic initiative in health and welfare technology where research and collaboration will be developed. The postdoctoral projects are all interdisciplinary and together with the other postdoctoral researchers and supervisors you will be part of both academy-specific and interdisciplinary groups that meet regularly for seminars and other research-related activities.

Employment: Temporary employment, 2 years
Scope: Full time
Closing date for application: 2023-03-31
Campus location: Västeras
School: School of Education, Culture and Communication, (UKK)

We are looking for a postdoctoral fellow who will join the Mälardalen INteraction and Didactics (MIND) Research group as part of the project “Fostering student participation in classrooms: Digitally-enhanced teacher reflection and feedback in education”. The post-doctoral researcher will focus on the interactional aspects of classroom participation and engagement, and explore- from micro-analytic, multimodal, and reflective perspectives- the ways digital tools encourage transformative reflections.

The researcher is expected to be involved in collection and analysis of audio-visual data from classroom settings, while also attending and taking active part in organizing regular activities of the research group, including data sessions, research seminars, and workshops.

The researcher will be expected to (1) transcribe and analyse pedagogical interaction data using (multimodal) conversation analysis, (2) annotate audio-visual data from reflection sessions, and (3) carry out thematic/content analysis of stimulated recall data and interviews. The post-doctoral researcher will be expected to work with the research group members in reporting research findings in international peer-reviewed publications and collaborate with the members of the group in disseminating research findings (e.g. presenting in and organizing research conferences/symposia as well as events for teachers).

The position is a temporary employment of 2-3 years.

The applicant is required to have a PhD degree in educational sciences, applied language studies (e.g., applied linguistics, educational linguistics, (second) language education, TESOL) or related fields, with a focus on interactional aspects of learning and teaching, or discursive practices in institutional interaction in its broad sense. The applicant is also expected to be very proficient in English language, both in speech and writing. The applicant must have completed the degree no more than three years before the end of the application period.

The candidate should be able to demonstrate skills and expertise in using discursive methodologies, preferably (multimodal) conversation analysis, for analyzing interactions where learning is mediated, including, but not limited to, classrooms. The researcher should have in-depth knowledge and experience in the analysis of discursive data, demonstrated through published work and other academic activities. Experience in publishing research in international journals will be important in the decision. Personal qualities required include willingness to collaborate and (demonstrated) skills in collaboration; good communication skills; and the ability to take research initiatives and work independently.   

Decisive importance is attached to personal suitability. We value the qualities that an even distribution of age and gender, as well as ethnic and cultural diversity, can contribute to the organisation.

In addition to the requirements listed above, the candidates who have knowledge and skills in analyzing classroom interaction may have an additional advantage. Furthermore, experience in the use of other discursive methodologies and analysis software are meriterous. Having taken part in data sessions, experience and skills in dealing with corpora, as well as video annotation tools may be advantageous.  

Application is made online. Make your application by clicking the "Apply" button below.

The scientific publications that you do not have in digital form are to be sent by post to:

Mälardalen University
Division of Human Resources
Ref.no: 2023/0039
Box 883
721 23 Västerås

The applicant is responsible for ensuring that the application is complete in accordance with the advertisement and will reach the University no later than closing date for application.

We look forward to receiving your application!

We decline all contact with recruiters and salespersons of advertisements. We have made our strategic choices for this recruitment.

Union representatives:

Michaël Le Duc (SACO), tel: +46 (0) 21-10 14 02
Susanne Meijer (OFR), Tel: +46 (0) 21-10 14 89

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