PhD fellowship in Collaboration Analytics

The Department of Computer Science, Human-centered Computing invites applicants for a PhD fellowship in Collaboration Analytics for small group work in educational contexts. The project is part of the research project “Courageous Collaborative Science”, which Novo Foundation finances.

The start date is on 1 February 2024, or as soon as possible thereafter.

The project
This research project emphasizes the critical role of shared reflective persistence (SRP) in enhancing collaborative, courageous science (CCS) activities among student groups, leveraging advanced analytics methods within science outreach centers. By employing a multi-faceted approach that includes ethnographic exploration, individual surveys, and Multi-Modal Learning Analytics (MMLA), the study aims to dissect the complex interplay of persistence, in-practice reflection, and productive failure inherent in successful CCS engagements. The research uses Epistemic Network Analysis and educational testing to pinpoint critical SRP indicators by assessing group responses to challenges and individual persistence metrics. Integrating these methods is designed to streamline data collection processes, facilitating the development of automated tools for real-time feedback on SRP dynamics within collaborative scientific endeavours. This holistic, analytics-focused exploration is expected to forge pathways for more resilient, reflective, and successful collaborative practices in science education environments.

Who are we looking for?
We seek candidates in Computer Science, Data Science, and Human-Computer interaction. Applicants can have a computer and data science background with a focus on machine learning, AI, software engineering, and embedded systems.

Our group and research- and what do we offer?
The group is a part of Computer Science, Faculty of SCIENCE, University of Copenhagen. We are located in Copenhagen.

The position is affiliated with the Center for Digital Education, which is a joint effort between the Department of Science Education and the Department of Computer Science, which aims to connect experts from computer science and science education to explore the possibilities and consequences of the digitalisation of STEM education across the school system. The PhD student will join the Human-Centered Computing Section at the Department of Computer Science and the Center for Digital Education. The activities of the Human-Centered Computing Section aim to fundamentally understand and improve the relationship between computational technology and people. Our research focuses on using computing to support people's activities and well-being, inventing new ways for people to interact with technology, and understanding how human capabilities are influenced by technology."

The Human-Centered Computing Section in the Department of Computer Science invites applicants for a PhD fellowship in Computer-Support Collaborative Learning focusing on Multimodal Learning Analytics and STEM Education. The center connects and supports computer science and STEM education experts in the joint exploration of the possibilities and consequences of the digitisation of educational processes and institutions. The main research interests of CDE are learning analytics, implementation of digital tools and learning environments, computer science education, computational thinking, and the influence of digital technologies on the STEM disciplines.

We offer creative and stimulating working conditions in a dynamic, international research environment. The PhD students will join CDE and HCC – a new and emerging research center investigating the future of Digital Education. The University of Copenhagen is a highly ranked institution in Europe with a long Physics Education and Computer Science history.

The principal supervisor isAssociate ProfessorDaniel Spikol, [email protected], +45 30 10 49 63.

A three-year full-time study within the framework of the regular PhD programme (5+3 scheme), if you already have an education equivalent to a relevant Danish master’s degree.

Getting into a position on the regular PhD programme

Qualifications needed
To be eligible for the regular PhD programme, you must have completed a degree programme, equivalent to a Danish master’s degree (180 ECTS/3 FTE BSc + 120 ECTS/2 FTE MSc) related to the subject area of the project, e.g. [Computer Science]. For information of eligibility of completed programmes, see General assessments for specific countries and Assessment database.

Terms of employment
Employment as PhD fellow is full time and for maximum 3 years.

Employment is conditional upon your successful enrolment as a PhD student at the PhD School at the Faculty of SCIENCE, University of Copenhagen. This requires submission and acceptance of an application for the specific project formulated by the applicant.

The terms of employment and salary are in accordance to the agreement between the Ministry of Finance and The Danish Confederation of Professional Associations on Academics in the State (AC). The position is covered by the Protocol on Job Structure.

Students on the integrated programme will enroll as PhD students simultaneously with completing their enrollment in this MSc degree programme.

The duration of the integrated programme is up to five years, and depends on the amount of credits that you have passed on your MSc programme. For further information about the study programme, please see: www.science.ku.dk/phd, “Study Structures”.

When you have obtainedtheMSc degree, you will transfer to the salary-earning part of the scholarship for a period of two years. At that point, the terms of employment and payment will be according to the agreement between the Ministry of Finance and The Danish Confederation of Professional Associations on Academics in the State (AC). The position is covered by the Protocol on Job Structure.

Responsibilities and tasks

• Carry through an independent research project under supervision

• Complete PhD courses corresponding to approx. 30 ECTS / ½ FTE
• Participate in active research environments, including a stay at another research institution, preferably abroad
• Teaching and knowledge dissemination activities
• Write scientific papers aimed at high-impact journals
• Write and defend a PhD thesis on the basis of your project

We are looking for the following qualifications:

• Professional qualifications relevant to the PhD project
• Relevant publications
• Relevant work experience
• Other relevant professional activities
• Curious mind-set with a strong interest in [Learning Analytics]
• Good language skills

Application and Assessment Procedure
Your application including all attachments must be in English and submitted electronically by clicking APPLY NOW below.

Please include:

1. Motivated letter of application (max. one page)
2. Your motivation for applying for the specific PhD project/State which PhD project you are applying for (ved multiopslag)/Project proposal (ved helt åbne opslag)
3. Curriculum vitae including information about your education, experience, language skills and other skills relevant for the position
4. Original diplomas for Bachelor of Science or Master of Science and transcript of records in the original language, including an authorized English translation if issued in another language than English or Danish. If not completed, a certified/signed copy of a recent transcript of records or a written statement from the institution or supervisor is accepted.
5. Publication list (if possible)
6. Reference letters (if available)

Application deadline:

The deadline for applications is 29 November 2023, 23:59 GMT +1.

We reserve the right not to consider material received after the deadline, and not to consider applications that do not live up to the abovementioned requirements.

The further process
After deadline, a number of applicants will be selected for academic assessment by an unbiased expert assessor. You are notified, whether you will be passed for assessment.

The assessor will assess the qualifications and experience of the shortlisted applicants with respect to the above mentioned research area, techniques, skills and other requirements. The assessor will conclude whether each applicant is qualified and, if so, for which of the two models. The assessed applicants will have the opportunity to comment on their assessment. You can read about the recruitment process at http://employment.ku.dk/faculty/recruitment-process/.

Questions
For specific information about the PhD fellowship, please contact the principal supervisor.

General information about PhD study at the Faculty of SCIENCE is available at the PhD School’s website: https://www.science.ku.dk/phd/.

The University of Copenhagen wishes to reflect the surrounding community and invites all regardless of personal background to apply for the position.

Kilde: Jobnet.dk