About the position

We have a vacancy for a full-time, permanent position as Associate Professor in English linguistics and language acquisition at the Department of Language and Literature. The position encompasses research, teaching, administration, and outreach. The main area of the position is language acquisition in bi- and multilingual speakers (including L2, Ln) where English is one of the languages. Applicants should pursue research from an experimental and formal perspective.

The English section of the Department of Language and Literature currently has 19 permanent employees within three broad areas of specialization – linguistics, literature, and cultural studies – of which 10 are permanent staff in linguistics. The linguistics group is actively engaged in individual and collaborative research projects within theoretical linguistics, psycho- and neurolinguistics, first and second/third language acquisition, sociolinguistics, and translation studies, including a number of active research groups and laboratories. The section offers bachelor’s, master’s and PhD education within a broad spectrum of courses in campus-based programs, and offers continuing eduction credits in an active distance program. Several MA courses are co-taught with the Nordic, German, and French sections.

The position will be part of the AcqVA research group, which is a joint research group between NTNU and UiT The Arctic University of Norway (Tromsø). The NTNU part of AcqVA includes 7 permanent members of staff, 5 adjunct professors, 3 postdocs, and 9 PhD candidates. The group investigates variation, acquisition, and attrition from a formal grammar perspective, and includes faculty from multiple sections: English, French, German, and Nordic.

Duties of the position

It is expected that the employee will:

• pursue cutting-edge research within their field of specialization and publish regularly in respected international outlets.
• teach and supervise in relevant courses at all levels, in BA/MA courses, the teacher training program, the MPhil in English Linguistics and Language Acquisition, and our distance and continuing education program Take Credit. The employee will teach courses and supervise theses in language acquisition and will also be required to teach or contribute to teaching in general English linguistics and proficiency. The department puts weight on research-based teaching, but the employee must potentially be prepared to also teach and supervise outside of his/her research area, especially at the first-year undergraduate level.
• contribute actively to student recruitment and program quality development
• actively work to establish externally funded research projects
• take on administrative duties and, potentially, leadership roles in the department

The language of teaching and supervision for this position is English. Administration in the department is predominantly conducted in Norwegian.

Required selection criteria

The position of Associate Professor in English linguistics and language acquisition requires that you meet the criteria in the Regulations concerning appointment and promotion to teaching and research posts section 1-4. 

The successful candidate must:

• have a PhD within linguistics, psychology or a related field, focusing on language acquisition in bi- and multilingual speakers (including L2, Ln) where English is one of the languages, employing an experimental and formal perspective
• have a strong track record of research and publishing in recognized international venues, as appropriate to the candidate’s career stage.
• have a strong track record of high-quality teaching at university level, as appropriate to the candidate’s career stage. Evaluation of these skills will be based on documented experience and relevant teaching qualifications.
• have excellent oral and written competence in English

You must document relevant basic competence for teaching and supervision at university/higher education-level, ref. Regulations. If this cannot be documented, you are required to complete an approved course in university teaching within two years of commencement. NTNU offers qualifying courses. 

It is a requirement that within three years of appointment, new employees who do not speak a Scandinavian language can demonstrate skills in Norwegian or another Scandinavian language equivalent to level three in the course for Norwegian for speakers of other languages at the Department of Language and Literature at NTNU.

Please see the Regulations concerning appointment and promotion to teaching and research posts for general criteria for the position.

Preferred selection criteria

• Experience in successfully applying for and working on externally funded research projects, and/or well-developed plans to apply for such funding
• Independent teaching and supervision experience, at various levels (undergraduate and postgraduate)
• Experience of public engagement and outreach.
• Knowledge of the Norwegian education system (at all levels), as well as the role of English in Norwegian education and society.
• Knowledge of a Scandinavian language

Personal characteristics

• Motivation for the position
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• The ability to contribute to an inclusive work environment

We offer 

• exciting and stimulating tasks in a strong international academic environment 
• an open and inclusive work environment with dedicated colleagues 
• favourable terms in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund 
• employee benefits 

Salary and conditions

In a position as Associate Professor (førsteamanuensis, code 1011) you will normally be remunerated within the range NOK 555 800 – NOK 618.600 per annum , depending on qualifications and seniority. From the salary, 2% is deducted as a contribution to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund.

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. Candidates who by assessment of the application and attachment are seen to conflict with the criteria in the latter law will be prohibited from recruitment to NTNU. After the appointment, you must assume that there may be changes in the area of work.

It is a prerequisite that you can be present at and accessible to the institution daily.

Preferred start date is January 2022.

Application Process

You can find more information about working at NTNU and the application process here.

About the application

The application and supporting documentation must be in English.

Please note that applications are only evaluated based on the information available on the application deadline. You should ensure that your application shows clearly how your skills and experience meet the criteria which are set out above.

If, for any reason, you have taken a career break or have had an atypical career and wish to disclose this in your application, the selection committee will take this into account, recognizing that the quantity of your research may be reduced as a result.

The application must include:

• CV, certificates and diplomas
• A description of the academic works that you regard as most relevant and that you particularly want to be considered in the assessment
• A list of your works including information about where they are published
• Name and address of three potential referees
• An outline of a possible project for which you can apply for external funding (about 400 words)
•  A statement of your pedagogical qualifications based on the following check list "Documentation of applicant’s teaching qualifications in connection with appointment to an academic position at NTNU”
• Details of the projects you have managed, with information about funding, duration and size

Scholarly publications should NOT be attached to the application. Following the application deadline, an internal selection committee will carry out a short evaluation of the applications. This evaluation will be passed onto an external committee of experts, and only the best qualified applicants will be shortlisted.

Applicants shortlisted for the expert committee will be requested to submit up to 5 scientific works that you wish to be considered in the evaluation (max. 500 pages). It is possible to submit parts of larger scientific works, as well as unpublished works.

Collaborative work will also be considered. If it is difficult to identify your contribution to joint work, you must attach a brief description of your contribution.

In the assessment of the best-qualified applicant, we will emphasize education, experience and personal suitability as well as your motivation for the position. You will be expected to deliver high-quality teaching at undergraduate and postgraduate levels, and undertake supervision of Masters and Doctoral candidates. Evaluation of these skills will be based on documented experience and relevant teaching qualifications. Applicants with teaching experience at university level are preferred. Quality and breadth of the teaching qualifications will be evaluated.

NTNU is committed to following evaluation criteria for research quality according to The San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment - DORA. This means that we pay special attention to the quality and professional breadth of these works. We also consider experience from research management and participation in research projects. We place great emphasis on your scientific work from the last five years.

General information

A good working environment is characterized by diversity. We encourage qualified candidates to apply, regardless of their gender, functional capacity or cultural background. NTNU wishes to increase the proportion of women in its academic positions, and women are therefore encouraged to apply.

The city of Trondheim is a modern European city with a rich cultural scene. Trondheim is the innovation capital of Norway with a population of 200,000. The Norwegian welfare state, including healthcare, schools, kindergartens and overall equality, is probably the best of its kind in the world. Professional subsidized day-care for children is easily available. Furthermore, Trondheim offers great opportunities for education (including international schools) and possibilities to enjoy nature, culture and family life and has low crime rates and clean air quality.

As an employee at NTNU, you must continually maintain and improve your professional development and be flexible regarding any organizational changes.

Under the Freedom of Information Act (offentleglova), your name, age, position and municipality may be made public even if you have requested not to have your name entered on the list of applicants. 

If you have any questions about the position, please contact the coordinator of the English language section, Associate Professor Andrew Weir (andrew.weir@ntnu.no), or Head of Department, Annlaug Bjørsnøs (annlaug.bjorsnos@ntnu.no). If you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact Hege Tverå Nilsson, e-mail: hege.tvera.nilsson@ntnu.no

Please submit your application and supporting documentation via jobbnorge.no. If you are invited for interview, you must bring certified copies of certificates and diplomas. Mark the application with reference number: HF 21-003.

Application deadline: 08.05.2021

NTNU - knowledge for a better world

The Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) creates knowledge for a better world and solutions that can change everyday life.

Department of Language and Literature

We conduct research and teaching in comparative literature, English, French, Spanish, German, Scandinavian studies, linguistics, phonetics, applied linguistics, sign language and interpreting, and cultural history. We are also responsible for the five-year master’s programmes in teacher education (lektorutdanning) in language subjects. The Department has an active research environment with responsibility for several large research projects. The Department of Language and Literature is one of six departments in the Faculty of Humanities.

Deadline 8th May 2021
Employer NTNU - Norwegian University of Science and Technology
Municipality Trondheim
Scope Fulltime
Duration Permanent
Place of service NTNU Dragvoll