PhD position in Geoscience Education Research

Novo Nordisk Foundation Centre for University Science Education (NNF-USE).

The Department of Science Education invites applications for a three-year PhD position in geoscience education research, commencing on April 1, 2027, or as soon as possible thereafter.

The position is part of the research work package “Disciplinary Writing Practices in the AI Era: Enhancing Learning in the Geosciences” at NNF-USE, led by Professor Kristine Harper. The PhD will be part of the research group on University Science Education, which hosts several other scholars working on higher education discipline-based educational research (DBER). NNF-USE, led by Professor Jenny Dauer, also partners with scholars from two other Danish universities (University of Aarhus, University of Southern Denmark) as well as those from abroad.


Project Description

Writing is key to disciplinary learning, development and knowledge production. The role of writing in disciplines, however, remains understudied and underutilized in university science education. Particularly in Geoscience Education Research (GER), disciplinary writing often serves merely as an assessment tool, rather than a vehicle for learning. As emerging GenAI technologies fundamentally disrupt writing practices, there is an urgent need to understand the role of writing in disciplinary learning and examine how extant and emerging GenAI technologies interact with disciplinary teaching practices, writing norms, and student learning. This work package examines the role of disciplinary writing in teaching and learning within geology. It explores how writing serves as a learning tool for both acquiring scientific knowledge and developing disciplinary ways of thinking and being in the world as a geologist – examining how students’ writing practices change and how perceptions of authorship, expertise, and disciplinary norms are evolving in the AI era. The aim is to generate knowledge about how writing can be better integrated in teaching and learning at different levels of university geology education and practice, harnessing the potentials of AI tools without undermining core educational goals.

We seek a candidate for an exciting research project focused on scientific writing’s connection to learning in all levels of university geoscience education. The project aims to explore how university students and faculty members currently experience disciplinary writing in relation to their studies and teaching, respectively, how that is changing or might change as large-language models become more sophisticated over time, and what those changes mean or could mean for professional disciplinary development. The project could be designed to provide insights into how faculty members currently do or do not use writing as a teaching and learning tools in their instruction, how it might be better incorporated into teaching, and the outcomes for both teachers’ perceptions of the effectiveness of including disciplinary writing in their teaching and student outcomes.

There will be considerable room to shape and adapt this PhD project to the academic background and interests of the PhD candidate. The project can include a range of methodologies, including, but not limited to, literature reviews, surveys, classroom observations, interviews with faculty and student focus groups, teaching experiments and testing of implementation strategies in the classroom. The PhD project should be relevant to university geoscience education in a Danish context. The final project design will be determined in consultation with the supervisors after the appointment.



Who are we looking for?

We are looking for a highly motivated PhD candidate with a strong background in a geoscience (e.g., geology, meteorology, oceanography, physical geography) and interest in geoscience education and its roles in undergraduate and graduate instruction.

In particular, we are looking for the following competencies and experience.

It is required that applicants:

• Hold a master’s degree by 1 April 2027 (see specifications below) in an appropriate geoscience discipline (see above) or in geoscience education, with a bachelor’s degree in an appropriate geoscience discipline.

• Are comfortable working in research groups and are interested in collaborative work.

• Are very interested in pursuing geoscience education research.

• Have excellent written and oral English skills.

It is advantageous if applicants:

• Have expertise in geology, since that will be the focus for the undergraduate education part of the project.

• Have experience and/or training in qualitative research methods.

• Have Danish language skills or are willing to adapt to an environment where Danish is often used.

About the Department of Science Education

The Department of Science Education aims to open up science and mathematics for all through research that enhances education, communication, and public engagement. The Department brings together expertise from the sciences, social sciences, and humanities to lead internationally in science and mathematics education, digital education, history and philosophy of science, and science communication.

The Department currently employs approx. 100 persons – many of whom are international. We offer a vibrant interdisciplinary research environment and an attractive and friendly work environment for all employees, and we are determined to support PhD students, postdocs, and assistant professors in building of a foundation for their future career within and outside academia. It is a hallmark of our research to unite strong fundamental and applied research, with high impact in society.

A large part of the Department’s teaching activities concerns the mandatory university pedagogical training and competence development for teaching faculty at the Faculties of Science and Health.

You may read the Department’s strategy towards 2030 and you may read about the USE Center here: https://use.ku.dk/. You may read more about the department in general here: https://www.ind.ku.dk/english/

Copenhagen is one of the 10 most livable cities in the world with a rich culture within music, theater and associations (https://www.visitcopenhagen.com). Life for families is made easier by a publicly supported daycare and health care system, dual career opportunities, maternity/parental leave and six weeks of annual vacation. International candidates may find information on living and working in Denmark at https://workindenmark.dk/. Useful information is also available at the International Staff Mobility (ISM) office at the University of Copenhagen (https://ism.ku.dk/). ISM offers a variety of services to international researchers coming to and working at the University of Copenhagen.

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



The PhD programme

Qualifications needed
To be eligible for the 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., in a geoscience or in geoscience education. For information on eligibility of completed programmes, see General assessments for specific countries and Assessment database.

Terms of employment
Employment as a PhD fellow is full time and for a 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 with 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 at the host institution

• 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 (corresponding to approx. 1/2 FTE)

• Write scientific papers aimed at high-impact journals

• Write and defend a PhD thesis based on your project

Your supervisor will be:

Professor Kristine Cecile Harper, Department of Science Education, University of Copenhagen, kch@ind.ku.dk, +45 3533 0710.



Application and Assessment Procedure

Applications should include a PhD project proposal with clear and relevant research questions that link to the proposed research design and methodology. In the evaluation of the application, emphasis is placed on the relevance of the research question to the research project within which it will be rooted as well as the originality of the project and the suggested research design and methodology. Further criteria are:

• The project´s ability to relate the proposal to existing geoscience education research

• The project’s plan to make the project relevant to geoscience education research and for knowledge transfer through education, dissemination, or development activities.

• The PhD candidate’s reflections on ethical aspects specifically related to the proposed project.

Your application including all attachments must submitted electronically by clicking Apply for position below.

Applications must be made in English.

Please include:

1. Letter of application, including your motivation for applying for the specific PhD project.

2. Proposal for a PhD project related to the research area described above. The proposal may not exceed six-pages in length. Please use this template.

3. Curriculum vitae including information about your education, experience, language skills and other skills relevant for the position

4. Original diplomas for completed Bachelors and Masters education and transcripts of records in the original language, including an authorized English translation if issued in a language other 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).

Application deadline: November 29, 2026 23:59 GMT +1

We reserve the right not to consider material received after the deadline and not to consider applications that do not meet the above-mentioned requirements.



The further process
After the deadline, a number of applicants will be selected for academic assessment by an unbiased expert assessment committee. You will be notified whether you qualify to proceed beyond the assessment stage.

The assessment committee will assess the qualifications and experience of the shortlisted applicants with respect to the above-mentioned research area, techniques, skills and other requirements. The assessment committee will conclude whether each applicant is qualified. 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/.

Interviews with selected candidates are expected to be held in January 2027.



Questions
For specific information about the PhD fellowship, please contact the principal supervisor, Kristine Cecile Harper, kch@ind.ku.dk.

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.