PhD fellowship Drawing to Learn in Science at NTNU Trondheim

A PhD position is available at the Department of Teacher education at NTNU. This is an educational position that shall provide promising research recruits the opportunity for professional development through studies towards a PhD. The position is connected to the PhD-program in Educational Science at the faculty of Social and Educational Science and the faculty will be your employer. 


The position is connected to the ScienceHumanities research group coordinated from the Natural science section at the Department. The research group applies perspectives from the humanities and the social sciences to the study of natural science (including science in school) as a discipline and cultural practice, past and present. Studies of cultures of text and (re)presentation of science, how the Nature of Science is taught in the classroom, students’ understanding of science, and practical experiments in science teaching are included in this. For more information, see https://www.ntnu.edu/ilu/sciencehumanities.


We are looking for a highly motivated candidate to participate in a research endeavor focusing on Drawing to Learn in Science. 


Drawing to explore, model, represent and communicate scientific understanding and reasoning is inherent to scientific practice. The practice of drawing is intertwined with the history and nature of science in terms of how scientific knowledge is, and has been, produced and justified. When it comes to student learning, drawing has been shown to contribute to observation skill, enhanced recall, to make understanding explicit and to organize knowledge effectively, leading to deep learning. However, there is a lack of studies of how and why teachers include drawing activities in the science classrooms and how students engage in drawing as a science practice. Other relevant questions to ask are what knowledge and skills teachers need in order to make use of Drawing to Learn in Science in their classrooms, and how such knowledge and skills can be developed through pre- and in-service training. We are also interested in drawing as part of past teaching (and research) practices. If you have a research idea, approach or perspective within an area that we have not mentioned, we would still like to hear from you. 


We invite applicants to submit their research ideas within the theme Drawing to Learn in Science. We are open to different research approaches to the topic and different educational contexts. The research ideas should be presented in the form of a project proposal, mentioning what the applicant would like to investigate and within which context.


The applicant must have a professionally relevant background in science education, one of the science disciplines (e.g., biology, chemistry, physics), history of science, science studies, visual arts or visual arts education. Other relevant background at the equivalent level may be considered. Candidates with teaching experience are encouraged to apply.


PhD candidates are normally remunerated at gross from NOK 491 200 per annum before tax, depending on qualifications and seniority. From the salary, 2% is deducted as a contribution to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund.


See more specifications here: PhD Candidate - Drawing to Learn in Science  (215880) | NTNU - Norwegian University of Science and Technology (jobbnorge.no).


You are welcome to contact Annette Lykknes or Helena Bichao for any queries regarding this position.


The appointment has a duration of either 1) four years including 25 % teaching duties or 2) three years without teaching duties.