Assistant Professor Positions in University Science Education Research Learning Environments, Experience and Design

The Department ofMathematicsand Computer Science (IMADA) at the University of Southern Denmark (SDU)invitesapplicantsforseveralpositions as Assistant Professor inUniversity Science Education Research with aparticularfocusonlearningenvironmentsexperienceand positionscontributeto research onhowlearningenvironmentsandexperienceshapestudent engagementlearningandstudytrajectoriesin ScienceBiologyPhysicsChemistryPharmacyorrelatedfields aswellasEducationPedagogyPsychology Design or Learning Scienceswhowishtodevelopastrongresearchprofilein STEMeducation.

Applicantsarenotexpectedto cover allareasdescribedinthisposting;depthinoneprofileareaisvalued.

The Assistant Professors will be members of theSection for Learning Experience and Design(LxD)at theDepartment of Mathematics and Computer Science (IMADA). The positions are embedded in a research environment that includes among othersthe cross-institutional Novo NordiskCenterfor University Science Education (USE) anchored intheSTEM Education ResearchCenterFNUG. Depending on profile and project alignment successful candidates may contribute to research within USE section-basedresearchinlearningexperience anddesign or related externally funded projects.

IMADA is one of four departments at the Faculty of Science SDU andlocatedin Odense and isorganisationallydivided intosix interdisciplinary research at the intersection of learningexperienceand design focusing on creating environments processes and systems that inspire creativity nurtureengagementand foster meaningful interactions in education professional life and beyond.

Our research explores how environments physical digital nature-based and hybrid shape human and more-than-human interactions cognition aesthetics and learning across scales and this spirit we also work from the orientation that thewhole worldcan be understood asa nature-based learning environment; an eco-mental system.

The department wishes to strengthen its research profile in University Science Education broadly with a particular emphasis on:

• scienceprogrammesand learning environments ( makerspaces studios hybrid digital and nature-based environments)
• science teachers and teaching (including faculty development and pedagogical competence) and
• sciencestudents experienceengagementand study paths including student wellbeing in higher education STEM

The department hosts several major externally funded research initiatives including the cross-institutional University Science Education (USE)Programme funded by the Novo NordiskFoundation and conducted in collaboration with Aarhus University and University of Copenhagen. Successful candidates will be expected to contribute to one or more of these research environments in alignment with their profile andexpertise.

The successful candidates will contribute to discipline-basedinterdisciplinaryor transdisciplinary education research while engaging in cross-disciplinary and cross-institutional collaboration.

The Assistant Professors will be expected to:

• Conduct independent and collaborative research in university science education learning environments experienceresearchand design within one or more of thedepartmentsand sections research areas.
• Design and study learning environments that support high-quality science learning and student experience ( field sites studios problem-based and project-based environmentsdigitalhybridand nature-based learning environments).
• Engage with educational technologies( platforms hybrid learningsystemsor AI-enhanced tools).
• Contribute to innovative or inventive methodologiesin science education research (-based participatory arts-basedor multimodal approaches) and/or robust evaluation methodologies including quantitative andmixedmethods approaches.
• Contribute to research on student wellbeing and thriving in higher education STEM ( trajectories identity and belonging psychosocial learning environments evidence-based interventionsassessmentand evaluation).
  Contribute to faculty development andorganisationalchange initiatives for example through workshops collegial sparring training-of-trainersactivitiesand design-based research projects.
  Collaborate with USE Faculty colleagues and partner institutions to translateresearchfindings into concrete educational change at SDU and across partner institutions.
  Participatein and co-organiseUSEand sectionactivities such as seminars conferencessymposiaand research & development projects.
  Contribute to teaching and supervision across the Faculty of Science including supervision of student projects.
  Engage in external collaboration and outreach related to university science education and learning environmentexperienceand design research.

To be qualified at the level of Assistant Professor it is expected that the candidate holds a MSc degree in a relevant discipline and a PhD degree in science education learning environment research design research psychology user experience research art-science-technology studies or a closely related field and has a developing publication record in peer-reviewed outlets. Demonstrated experience in externally funded projects potential to attract external funding experience with collaborativeresearchand high-quality teaching evaluations will be considered an applicants focusing on student wellbeing and intervention research experience with statistics evidence synthesis interventiondevelopmentor evaluation studies will be considered an advantage.

We are seeking outstanding candidates with strong analytical and creative problem-solving skills and strong written and oral communication skills. Fluency in English isrequired; willingness toacquireDanish within two years is an advantage.

Applicants should have knowledge of or an interest in developing knowledge of the Danish higher education system and university scienceprogrammes. Documented experience with teaching outreach and/or collaboration with university teachers students and educational developers and/or wellbeing professionals will be considered an advantage. Documented experience with learning environment research experience research design-based research and user experience research & development projects actionlearningor practice-oriented research is also an from multiple educational levelssuch asprimarysecondaryor vocational educationwill also be considered an advantage especially where it informs understanding of learning pathways into university scienceprogrammes.

The competence profile of successful candidates bridges deepexpertisein a science orrelated disciplinewith a strong interest in university science education research learning environments interdisciplinary collaboration learning design student experience and assessment and faculty development andorganisationalchange. Documented experience with DBER science educationresearchor closely related areas will be considered an advantage.

Applicants are expected to contribute to teaching and supervision; the concrete balance between teaching and research may vary by profile and will be clarified during the recruitment process.

Weoffer:

• SeveralAssistant Professor positions in University Science Education Research: Learning EnvironmentsExperienceand Design
• Astimulatingcollaborative and international researchenvironment
• Relevantuniversitypedagogicaltraining

Applicants must have completed their PhD at the time of application.

Since not all members of the appointment committee areDanish-speaking it is recommended that your application issubmittedin English.

Place ofwork:
Section of LearningExperienceDesign
STEM Education Research Center (FNUG)
Department ofMathematicsand Computer Sciencelocatedat themaincampus of the University of Southern Denmark Odense Denmark.

Based in Odense the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science offers an inclusive and international working environment withstate-of-the-artfacilities as well as a strong tradition for collaboration across departments and faculties and with other educational institutions municipalities and industries. The degrees offered by the department include BSc MSc and PhD degrees in Mathematics Computer Science DataScienceand specializations in STEM Education. More information about the department can be found on its web page.

About the university
The University of Southern Denmark was founded in 1966 and now has more than 27.000 students almost 20% of whom are from abroad. It has more than 3800 employees and 115 different study programs in the fields ofthe humanities social sciences natural sciences health sciences and engineering. Its main campusis located inOdense the third largest city in Denmark. Odense provides family-friendly living conditions with the perfect combination of a historic citycentrewith an urban feel and yeta close proximityto beaches and recreational areas. Its location on the beautiful island of Funen is idealwitheasy access by train or highway to the bigger cities of Aarhus and Copenhagen. As the birthplace of Hans Christian Andersen Denmarks famous fairy tale author the city is home to a vibrant and creative population that hostsnumerousfestivals and markets throughout the year.

Applicationsalaryetc.

Appointment to the position will bein accordance withthe salary agreement between the Ministry of Finance and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. Please check links for more information onsalary(only available in Danish)and taxation.

Applications will be assessed by an expert committee. Applicants will be informed of their assessment by the university.

The application must include the following:

• A curriculum vitae
• A full list of publications
• Copy of PhD diploma
• Copies of all publications on which the applicant wishes to be evaluated
• A brief survey of the applicants most important research results and research plans for the next three years

Incomplete applications and applications received after the deadline will neither be considered nor evaluated.

Shortlisting may be used as part of the assessment process and an interview may be included in the overall evaluation of the applicants qualifications.

Applications must be submitted electronically using the link Apply now. Attached files must be in Adobe PDF format. We strongly recommend that you read How to apply for a position at SDUbefore you apply.

Since not all members of the appointment committee are Danish-speaking it is recommended that your application is submitted in English.

The University wishes our staff to reflect the diversity of society and thus welcomes applications from all qualified candidates regardless of personal background.

Further informationfor international applicants about entering and working in Denmark can be found on the Universitys website.

Starting date and contact:

Thestartingdate for the position isJuly1 2026 or assoonaspossiblehereafter.

Forfurtherinformation pleasecontactProfessor Connie Svabosvabo@.