PhD Research Fellow in Mathematics Education 2026 | Apply Now

The University of Agder (UiA) in Norway is offering a fully funded PhD Research Fellow position in Mathematics Education for 2026. This is a paid academic position, not a traditional scholarship, which means the successful candidate will be employed by the university, receive a competitive salary, and contribute to one of Norway’s most active mathematics education research communities. The position sits within MERGA, a well-established research centre with around 15 doctoral fellows, giving you a rich academic environment to grow in from day one.

This opportunity is designed for candidates who hold a master’s degree in Mathematics Education or a closely related field and who are ready to pursue original doctoral research. The research focus is on innovative approaches to university mathematics teaching, a growing area of study at the intersection of technology, pedagogy and higher education reform. Whether your interest lies in digital tools, engineering student learning, teacher education or socio-cultural frameworks, there is room to shape a project that matches your passion.

This post will walk you through everything you need to know, including eligibility requirements, what the position offers, the required documents, how to apply step by step, and key tips to strengthen your application before the 19 May 2026 deadline.

Scholarship Overview

Eligibility

These are the requirements you must meet to be considered for this position.

• Citizenship: The position is open to candidates of all nationalities. The University of Agder encourages applications from diverse backgrounds regardless of gender, age, cultural background or disability.
• Academic qualifications: You must hold a cand. scient. or master’s degree in Mathematics Education or a closely related and relevant field. Candidates who will complete their final master’s evaluation by June 2026 are also eligible to apply now.
• Teaching qualification: A teaching qualification is listed as an essential requirement alongside the academic degree. Make sure this is clearly documented in your application.
• Work experience: Not strictly required, but relevant school or university teaching experience is taken into account during selection. Research project experience and documented competence in qualitative or quantitative research methods are also beneficial.
• Language requirements: Written and spoken English proficiency is required. Proficiency in Norwegian or another Scandinavian language is strongly desired, especially since research will often be conducted in Norwegian-language classrooms.
• Research proposal: You must submit a short preliminary research proposal (approximately 5 pages) as part of your application. This is an essential document and applications without it will not be evaluated.
• Other requirements: Applicants must be willing to submit an approved full project description within three months of appointment. Research visits to external institutions may also be expected during the fellowship period.

Eligible Countries

This position is open to qualified candidates from all countries. The University of Agder is an open and inclusive institution that welcomes international applicants without country-based restrictions.

All regions are eligible, including:

Africa: All countries Asia: All countries Americas: All countries (North, Central and South America) Europe: All countries (EU and non-EU) Middle East: All countries Oceania: All countries

There are no country exclusions stated in the official listing.

Eligible Fields of Study

This position is specifically focused on Mathematics Education and closely related disciplines. It is not open to all fields of study.

Your research proposal must clearly relate to the theme of innovative approaches to university mathematics teaching. Accepted focus areas within that theme include:

• Digital tools in mathematics education (such as AI, CAS systems, automated theorem provers, dynamic geometry tools)
• Children’s mathematical developmental and learning trajectories
• Concrete materials and visualisations in research, industry and schools
• Teaching approaches for specific groups such as engineering students, calculus students or future teachers
• Research methods including teaching experiments, eye tracking, task-based interviews, surveys and literature reviews
• Theoretical frameworks such as socio-cultural or constructivist perspectives

Applications outside of mathematics education or unconnected to the stated research proposal area will not be eligible.

Benefits

This is a paid employment position, not a traditional award-based scholarship. Here is what you receive:

• Salary: NOK 550,800 gross per year (State Salary Scale, code 1017 PhD Research Fellow). This is a competitive income by Norwegian standards and covers your living costs comfortably.
• Pension: Compulsory membership of the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund is included, with contributions deducted from your salary in line with statutory regulations.
• Contract length: Three years at 100%, or four years for suitable candidates who take on 25% required duties (such as teaching assistance).
• Facilities: Access to modern campus facilities at Campus Kristiansand, including an extensive research library with leading mathematics education journals in English and Scandinavian languages.
• Welfare benefits: A comprehensive set of welfare offers as part of the wider UiA employment package.
• Research community access: Membership of MERGA and the Graduate School in Mathematics and Science Education in Norway (MaScE), with links to Nordic and international research partners.
• Research visits: Opportunities for research visits to external institutions or national and international partner organisations during the fellowship period.
• Tuition fees: As an employed fellow, tuition is generally covered, but confirm this directly with the university.

Required Documents

All documents must be uploaded electronically before the closing date. Missing documents will result in your application being excluded from evaluation.

1. Letter of application explaining your rationale for applying, your research interests and your ability to carry out the proposed project.
2. Academic certificates with grades from all relevant qualifications.
3. Your master’s thesis.
4. References (contact details or letters, as required by the application system).
5. A short preliminary research proposal of approximately 5 pages. This must include background, rationale, a review of recent work and a proposed research design. It must clearly connect to one of the stated research proposal areas.
6. A summary and links to any scientific publications you have produced (if applicable, for these to be considered in evaluation).
7. Any other relevant documentation that supports your application.

Note: All documentation must be in a Scandinavian language or English. Documents in any other language must be accompanied by a certified translation.

How to Apply

Step 1: Read the full official job advertisement on the University of Agder website to confirm all requirements and any updates since this post was published.

Step 2: Confirm that you meet the essential qualifications, including your master’s degree (or upcoming completion by June 2026), teaching qualification, and English proficiency.

Step 3: Choose a research focus that clearly connects to the stated proposal area on innovative approaches to university mathematics teaching. Review the sub-themes listed and identify where your interests and prior work fit.

Step 4: Write your preliminary research proposal. This is approximately 5 pages and must outline the background, rationale, recent relevant work and your proposed research design. This document is a key part of how candidates are evaluated, so invest real time in it.

Step 5: Prepare your letter of application. This should explain why you are applying, what your research interests are, and how you are equipped to carry out the proposed project within the stated research area.

Step 6: Gather all supporting documents including certified academic transcripts, your master’s thesis, teaching qualification certificates and any publications.

Step 7: Arrange your references. Ensure your referees are aware you are applying and are ready to be contacted.

Step 8: Use the official application portal (via the “Apply for this job” link on the University of Agder’s job listings page) to submit your complete application electronically. Do not submit by email.

Step 9: Upload all documents in the correct format before the 19 May 2026 deadline. Double-check that nothing is missing. Incomplete applications will not be evaluated.

Step 10: If you have questions about the position, contact Professor David Reid or Head of Department Ingvald Erfjord directly using the contact details in the official listing. For application process queries, contact HR Adviser Heidi Kristensen.

Key Dates and Timeline

Application Deadline

The deadline for applications is 19 May 2026. 

Applications submitted after this time will NOT be accepted. All documentation must be uploaded to the system before the deadline. The university makes clear that it is the applicant’s full responsibility to ensure complete documentation is submitted on time.

Selection Criteria

The University of Agder evaluates candidates on the following:

1. Academic background and results: Your degree, transcript and master’s results are the primary academic indicators. A master’s specifically in mathematics education is preferred over a related field.
2. Quality of the research proposal: Your 5-page preliminary proposal is explicitly stated as forming an important part of the evaluation. A vague or generic proposal will weaken your application considerably.
3. Relevance of teaching experience: Both school-level and university-level teaching experience is valued, and length of relevant experience is taken into account during selection.
4. Research experience: Collaboration in research projects, competence in qualitative or quantitative methods and experience with literature reviews are all desirable indicators.
5. Language proficiency: English is required. Norwegian or another Scandinavian language is strongly desired because the research often takes place in Norwegian-language educational settings.
6. Personal suitability: The ability to work independently and in a goal-oriented way, capacity for focused work, attention to detail and good teamwork skills are all part of the evaluation.
7. Publication record: If you have any scientific publications, include a summary and links. These will be considered in the evaluation if provided.

Important Tips

1. Take your research proposal seriously. The university explicitly states this is a key evaluation document. A clear, well-reasoned 5-page proposal that connects directly to one of the stated sub-themes will set you apart from candidates who submit something generic or rushed.
2. Address the Norwegian language requirement honestly. If you have any Scandinavian language ability, highlight it clearly. If you do not, acknowledge your willingness to learn. The research will often take place in Norwegian-medium classrooms, so the university genuinely values this skill.
3. Make your letter of application specific to this position and this research centre. Reference MERGA, MatRIC and the specific research sub-theme you are connecting with. Generic application letters that could apply to any PhD position will not perform well.
4. Contact the academic supervisors early. Professor David Reid and Head of Department Ingvald Erfjord are listed as contacts for position-related questions. Reaching out before you apply to discuss your research proposal idea is entirely appropriate and can help you tailor your proposal more effectively.
5. Ensure your teaching qualification is clearly documented. This is listed as essential, not merely desirable. If you hold a teaching certificate or completed a teacher education component during your studies, include the certificate and make it easy to find in your uploaded documents.
6. Do not leave document collection until the last moment. Your master’s thesis, certified transcripts, teaching qualification and references all need to be gathered, potentially translated, and uploaded before the deadline. Start early.
7. If you are applying from outside Norway, look into what a move to Kristiansand would involve practically. The salary of NOK 550,800 per year is comfortable in a Norwegian context, but the cost of living is higher than in many other countries. Knowing what to expect financially will help you plan your relocation with confidence.
8. Your PhD dissertation at UiA will usually be written in English, so do not be concerned if your Norwegian is limited. However, note that day-to-day working language at the university is Norwegian, which makes some language learning a worthwhile investment before or after arrival.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to already have a PhD topic confirmed before I apply? 

No. You are required to submit a preliminary research proposal of approximately 5 pages as part of your application. The full, approved project description is only required within three months of being appointed. Your proposal at this stage should be thoughtful and well-grounded, but it does not need to be a finished research plan.

Can I apply if I am finishing my master’s degree this year? 

Yes. Candidates whose final evaluation result will be available by June 2026 are explicitly eligible to apply. You should note this clearly in your application.

Is this a scholarship or a job? 

This is a paid employment position (a Research Fellowship), not an award-based scholarship. You will be employed by the University of Agder, receive a salary, and be subject to standard Norwegian employment regulations.

Do I need to speak Norwegian to apply? 

Norwegian proficiency is strongly desired but not listed as an absolute essential requirement. English proficiency is required. That said, because research often takes place in Norwegian-language classroom settings, some Norwegian ability will significantly strengthen your application and your day-to-day experience if appointed.

Are there any country restrictions on who can apply? 

No. The position is open to candidates of all nationalities. The university actively encourages applications from diverse backgrounds.

What happens if my application is missing a document? 

The university is explicit that candidates who do not include all required documentation will not be included in the evaluation process. There is no indication that late submissions or additions will be accepted. Submit everything before the deadline.

How competitive is this position? 

MERGA is one of the largest and most active mathematics education research centres in Europe, and the University of Agder has a strong international profile in this field. The position will attract interest from both Norwegian and international candidates. A strong research proposal, clear teaching credentials and relevant research experience are the key differentiators.

Can I contact the supervisors before applying? 

 Yes, and it is encouraged. Professor David Reid and Head of Department Ingvald Erfjord are both listed as contacts for questions about the position. Reaching out to discuss your research interests in advance is a reasonable step, particularly to ensure your proposal aligns well with the group’s current activities.

Official Link

Submit your application through the University of Agder’s official recruitment portal. Visit the official job listing at the University of Agder to use the “Apply for this job” button and upload all required documents electronically: https://www.uia.no/en/about-uia/contact-us