Two PhD Scholarships in Mathematics and Computer Science Education at University Level

The Department of Mathematics and Computer Science at the University of Southern Denmark (Odense Campus) is offering two PhD scholarships in mathematics and computer science education, focusing on university-level teaching and learning as part of the USE project.

The positions are connected to the USE centre (University Science Education) which is a newly established initiative funded by the Novo Nordisk Foundation with a grant of 125 million Danish kroner. The centre aims at transforming science education at Danish universities on large scale, by creating a close connection between research and practical teaching – more information can be found here.

The ideal applicants should conduct research from a Discipline-Based Education Perspective (DBER), to foster students’ acquisition of conceptual knowledge and problem-solving skills, supporting students in cultivating their learning and disciplinary identity, design of curricula that could better address students’ learning needs from a learning and societal perspective, and the development of discipline-specific pedagogies. 

Project Description 
The PhD project will use participatory Design-Based Research (DBR) for systematic development and improvement of mathematics and computer science teaching and learning at the university level. The research design focuses on a dynamic, iterative process where innovative teaching methods are developed, used in practice, and evaluated in close collaboration with teachers and students.

Key research activities may include:

1. Diagnosing current challenges in discipline-based university teaching
2. Designing experimental teaching interventions
3. Systematic use in practice and data collection
4. Ongoing analysis and refinement of teaching designs
5. Theoretical and practical knowledge generation
6. Generation of new digital and analogue tools and/or learning environments, to support learning and sense making in mathematics and/or computer science

The overall goal of the project is to create new practice-oriented pedagogies, conceptual and technological tools, and learning environments which can bring significant improvements in mathematics and/or computer science at university education, through a collaborative, reflective, and theory-informed research method.

The application for the PhD position in mathematics must include:

1. Application letter with motivation of interest for the project
2. Curriculum documenting educational and professional experience when applicable
3. Documentations of awarded master’s degree in mathematics or another related subject
4. Contact details (phone numbers and e-mail) for at least 2 referees who can be contacted for reference 
5. List of publications when applicable
6. A 3-page project description 
1. A clearly defined, individual research plan that fits into and complements the USE project 
2. Plan for making the project relevant to the field of practice and for knowledge dissemination
3. Reflections on ethical aspects related to the project

Evaluation Criteria

• Research quality and feasibility of the project
• Relevance of the project to USE’s overall purpose
• Project’s academic grounding in existing research in mathematics education at university level
• Project’s plan for practical relevance and knowledge dissemination
• Applicant’s qualifications

Qualifications
Applicants are expected to have a relevant master’s degree in mathematics or equivalent qualifications that provide sufficient knowledge to conduct educational research in university-level education. 

Applicants to be fluent in Danish and English, to be able to gather data observing classes and establish personal contact with teachers, including international staff, and students in the languages that are commonly applied to learning and teaching practice in computer science education.

Employment Terms

• Enrolment in the doctoral school at the Faculty of Science, SDU
• Participation in research training programme in Science and Mathematics Education and Communication (SMEC)
• Supervisor is Associate Professor Dorte Moeskær Larsen, FNUG, SDU
• 3-year full-time employment

The PhD student is expected to teach FNUG’s courses

• MM107 Dynamic Systems and Interdisciplinary Subject Integration
• NAT805 Subject Didactics, Disciplines, and Interdisciplinary Integration in Science

Expected start date for the PhD position in mathematics: January 1, 2026.
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The application for the PhD position in computer science must include:

1. Application letter with motivation of interest for the project
2. Curriculum documenting educational and professional experience when applicable
3. Documentations of awarded master’s degree in computer science or another related subject
4. Contact details (phone numbers and e-mail) for at least 2 referees who can be contacted for reference 
5. List of publications when applicable
6. A 3-page project description 
1. A clearly defined, individual research plan that fits into and complements the USE project 
2. Plan for making the project relevant to the field of practice and for knowledge dissemination
3. Reflections on ethical aspects related to the project.

Evaluation Criteria

• Research quality and feasibility of the project
• Relevance of the project to USE's overall purpose
• Project’s academic grounding in existing research in computer science education at university level 
• Project's plan for practical relevance and knowledge dissemination
• Applicant’s qualifications

Qualifications
Applicants are expected to have a relevant master’s degree in computer science or equivalent qualifications that provide sufficient knowledge to conduct educational research in university-level education. 

Applicants to be fluent in Danish and English, to be able to gather data observing classes and establish personal contact with teachers, including international staff, and students in the languages that are commonly applied to learning and teaching practice in computer science education. 

Employment Terms

• Enrolment in the doctoral school at the Faculty of Science, SDU
• Participation in research training programme in Science and Mathematics Education and Communication (SMEC)
• Supervisor is Associate Professor Emanuela Marchetti, FNUG, SDU
• 3-year full-time employment

The PhD student is expected to teach FNUG’s courses e.g.:

• NAT808: The practice of science and mathematics teaching, 
• MM859: History of Mathematics for mathematicians and future teachers in mathematics,
• T560022101: Prototypes and Animations for Computer Games 

Expected start date for the PhD position in computer science: 1. august 2025

Application deadline: 1 May 2025 at 23:59 hours local Danish time 
Please see the full call, including how to apply, on www.sdu.dk