About the position

The systematic use of learning technologies has become widely employed in the past years, of teaching and learning practices. Designing the conditions for engaging in meaningful learning is vital but challenging process. Contemporary learning systems utilize data such as keystrokes, log files, and clicks to interpret complex learning phenomena. In recent years, multimodal data’s potential to help us understand the world around us and interpret the complex learning processes in it led learning technology research to develop models that can process information from multiple modalities. Although the collection, interpretation, and visualization of multimodal data has been extremely challenging for researchers, recent technological developments and data science, and AI advancements have boosted the growth of non-invasive high-frequency multimodal-data collections.

The position reports to Head of Department

Main duties and responsibilities

The goal of this project is to explore the potential of multimodal data for understanding learners’ cognition, emotion, attention, information acquisition and more. This work will build on an interdisciplinary approach, bridging the domains of learning sciences, interaction design, and learning technology. We are seeking a highly motivated individual that wants to excel in a research environment.

Part of the main duties and responsibilities include conducting the following tasks:

• Conduct a literature review
• Plan and conduct empirical studies
• Collect and analyze empirical data
• Write up reports and research articles

Qualification requirements

The PhD-position's main objective is to qualify for work in research positions. The qualification requirement is completion of a master’s degree or second degree (equivalent to 120 credits) with a strong academic background in interaction design, learning technology, learner/human-centered design or equivalent education with a grade of B or better in terms of NTNU’s grading scale. Applicants with no letter grades from previous studies must have an equally good academic foundation. Applicants who are unable to meet these criteria may be considered only if they can document that they are particularly suitable candidates for education leading to a PhD degree.

• A solid knowledge on Human-Computer Interaction and Learning Technologies is essential, and a research-oriented master thesis within one of these or related areas is expected
• Hands-on experience with conducting user studies and collecting, and analyzing data
• A solid knowledge on quantitative and qualitative research methods
• Good programming skills
• Good written and oral English skills. Applicants must provide evidence of good English language skills, written and spoken. The following tests can be used as such documentation: TOEFL, IELTS or 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 accepted)
  • CAE/CPE: grade B or A
• In extraordinary circumstances, formal documentation of language skills can be relinquished. In such cases the candidate’s language skills will be assessed in a personal interview

The appointment is to be made in accordance with the regulations in force concerning State Employees and Civil Servants and national guidelines for appointment as PhD, postdoctor and research assistant

NTNU is committed to following evaluation criteria for research quality according to The San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment - DORA.

Other qualifications

The following qualifications will be considered as an advantage:

• Relevant experience as a research assistant in research projects
• Published or submitted relevant research work

Emphasis will be put on personal qualities and potential as a researcher. High importance will also be attached to personal communication and cooperation skills.

Potential successful candidate will be interviewed via Skype or other means

Personal characteristics

• Excellent analytical skills
• Ability to work independently as well as in teams
• Result-oriented
• Strong motivation to contribute to good working and social environment

In the evaluation of which candidate is best qualified, emphasis will be placed on education, experience and personal suitability, in terms of the qualification requirements specified in the advertisement.

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

PhD candidates are remunerated in code 1017, and are normally remunerated at gross from NOK 479 600 before tax per year. From the salary, 2 % is deducted as a contribution to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund.

The period of employment is 4 years with required duties or 3 years without duties. Appointment to a PhD position requires admission to the PhD programme in Information Technology. As a PhD candidate, you undertake to participate in an organized PhD programme during the employment period. A condition of appointment is that you are in fact qualified for admission to the PhD programme within three months.

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.

General information

A good work environment is characterized by diversity. We encourage qualified candidates to apply, regardless of their gender, functional capacity or cultural background. Under the Freedom of Information Act (offentleglova), information about the applicant may be made public even if the applicant has requested not to have their name entered on the list of applicants.

The national labour force must reflect the composition of the population to the greatest possible extent, NTNU wants to increase the proportion of women in its scientific posts. Women are encouraged to apply. Furthermore, Trondheim offers great opportunities for education (including international schools) and possibilities to enjoy nature, culture and family life (http://trondheim.com/). Having a population of 200 000, Trondheim is a small city by international standards with low crime rates and little pollution. It also has easy access to a beautiful countryside with mountains and a dramatic coastline.

Questions about the position can be directed to Michail Giannakos, e-mail michailg@ntnu.no

About the application

The application must contain:

• One-page cover letter including your motivation and how your background would fit the position
• Information about education and relevant experience (academic CV)
• Certified copies of academic diplomas and certificates
• Applicants from universities outside Norway are kindly requested to send a or a similar document, which describes in detail the study and grading system and the rights for further studies associated with the obtained degree
• A short essay (up to 1000 words) describing his/her view of the main research challenges in interaction design and learning technologies
• The master thesis and any other work which the applicant wishes to be taken into account should clearly indicate the applicant's contribution
• Names and contact information of at least two references

Publications and other academic works that the applicant would like to be considered in the evaluation must accompany the application. Joint works will be considered. If it is difficult to identify the individual applicant's contribution to joint works, the applicant must include a brief description of his or her contribution.

Please submit your application electronically via jobbnorge.no with your CV, diplomas and certificates. Applicants invited for interview must include certified copies of transcripts and reference letters. Please refer to the application number 2019/16753 when applying.

Application deadline: 31.07.2019

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 Computer Science

We are the leading academic IT environment in Norway, and offer a wide range of theoretical and applied IT programmes of study at all levels. Our subject areas include hardware, algorithms, visual computing, AI, databases, software engineering, information systems, learning technology, HCI, CSCW, IT operations and applied data processing. The Department has groups in both Trondheim and Gjøvik. The Department of Computer Science is one of seven departments in the Faculty of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering .

Deadline: 31st July 2019
Employer: NTNU - Norwegian University of Science and Technology
Municipality: Trondheim
Scope: Fulltime
Duration: Temporary
Place of service: Trondheim