1 Doctoral Research position in Science Didactics with focus on preschool education in Sweden | Linnaeus University

The research project underlying the PhD studies is part of an ongoing longitudinal study that aims to explore preschool children's versions of, and use of, chemistry beyond the actual learning opportunity. The study involves preschools in the Kalmar region and researchers at Linnaeus University and other universities, including Kristianstad University. In this project, young children's learning is viewed from a post-structural perspective using a dynamic systems approach, where an individual's micro-level and environmental restrictions, e.g. group dynamics and the physical environment, provide a level of self-organisation that cause more general developmental patterns to emerge. We are concerned both with describing the more general patterns as well as the premises that underly pattern emergence. Beyond the learning situation, focus will be placed on the aspects of chemistry that children relate to and transform into their daily activities. The research work shall primarily entail field studies, data analysis and the communication of results in written and oral presentations to academics, preschool teachers and the general public, in Sweden and abroad. Results will contribute to the development of the content of the subject of chemistry in preschool education.

Requirements

A person fulfils the general entry requirements if he/she has

• Completed a degree or equivalent in preschool education, primary school education, or the equivalent.
• Completed courses totaling at least 240 higher education credits (ETCS), of which at least 60 at second-cycle (advanced) level in a related field, or
• In any other way, in Sweden or abroad, has acquired principally equivalent knowledge.

Specific requirements

Specific prerequisites for admission to graduate studies in Natural Science Didactics are

• Courses in natural science or natural science didactics, or equivalent, of at least 90 credits
• A minimum of 7.5 credits of independent project (thesis) work in the above field, or equivalent
• high degree of proficiency in written and spoken Swedish and English

Conditions of employment

According to the Higher Education Ordinance a person appointed to a doctoral studentship should primarily devote himself/herself to his/her own studies. An appointee may, however, work to a limited extent with education, research, artistic development, and administration. However, before a doctoral degree has been awarded, duties of this kind may not comprise more than 20% of a full-time post.