1 Post-doc and 2 PhD Position on Learning Analytics at The Open University

Post-doc researcher learning Analytics
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(1,0 fte) Temporary position for 4 years.
Vacancy number FAC/PenOW/16027
The Open University is offering one Post-doc Position in Learning Analytics. Within our international research projects we conduct research on learning analytics in Higher Education settings. Learning analytics is the measurement, collection, analysis and reporting of data about learners and their contexts, for purposes of understanding and optimizing learning and the environments in which it occurs. A related field is educational data mining. We are looking for a post-doc to support our technical PhDs in working with various datasets ranging from learning management systems to physiological data collected over wearable devices. The selected candidate should have rich experiences in developing analytics systems and applying information retrieval or data mining techniques such as Spark, R, Python for process mining and predictive analytics.
Requirements
? A PhD degree in a relevant academic subject area such as computer or data science
? Solid background and skills in software design and machine learning (e.g. Phyton)
? Specific expertise that is relevant for the job title would add to the candidate’s fitness, e.g. user experience engineering, web services, data processing, educational technologies
? Affinity with education, teaching and learning is an asset
? Creativity, self-management skills and cooperation skills
? Excellent academic writing and presentation skills
? An excellent command of spoken and written English
Salary
The maximum salary for a permanent and full-time position is ? 2.654,= gross per month (salary scale 11) in accordance with VSNU standards and depending upon your qualifications and experience.
2 PhD positions
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1. PhD in Learning Analytics
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(1,0 fte) Temporary position for 4 years.
Vacancy number FAC/PenOW/16028
The Open University is offering one PhD position in the field of Learning Analytics and Educational Data Mining. Within our international research projects we conduct research on learning analytics in Higher Education settings. Learning analytics is the measurement, collection, analysis and reporting of data about learners and their contexts, for purposes of understanding and optimizing learning and the environments in which it occurs. A related field is educational data mining.
We are looking for a PhD candidate to explore and analyze datasets from learning management systems but also physiological wearable-computing devices such as fit bits. The selected candidate should either be able to apply information retrieval or data mining techniques such as Spark, R, Python, or be able to visualize the findings from data mining processes with Gephi, D3.js or equivalent visualization technologies. The ideal candidate will have experiences in both fields.
Requirements
? A Master of Science degree in a relevant academic subject area, such as computer science, data mining, artificial intelligence
? Solid skills and proven experience in software design and computer programming (e.g. JavaScript, Web Services, HTML5, XML, R, Python, Gephi or other visualisation techniques).
? Analytical skills, creativity, precision, proactivity, and passion for research and technology
? Affinity with education, teaching and learning is an asset
? Creativity, self-management skills and cooperation skills
? Academic writing and presentation skills
? Good English skills (spoken and written)
? Preparedness to travel on a regular basis for international activities
2. PhD in wearable learning support and Learning Analytics
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(1,0 fte) Temporary position for 4 years.
Vacancy number FAC/PenOW/16029
The Open University is offering one PhD position in the field of wearable learning support and learning analytics.The PhD project will be linked to two currently running European research projects in the context of formative assessment and experience transfer. The PhD will contribute to this two projects with developing theoretical models for real-time feedback systems in learning, build prototypes and do evaluation studies for publication and reporting. The work of the PhD-student will be carried out in the Welten Institute of the Open University of the Netherlands and will be directed toward achieving a PhD-degree under the supervision of senior researchers. The PhD-student will participate in the educational programme of the Dutch Research School for Information and Knowledge Systems and the Graduate School of the Open University of the Netherlands. During the first 6 months, the PhD student will contribute to setting up and fine-tuning a PhD-plans for guiding the PhD-route. To a limited extent the candidate is also offered the opportunity of being involved in other projects or activities of the Welten Institute.
Requirements
? A Master of Science degree in a relevant academic subject area such as computer science, human computer interaction, or educational technology
? Solid background and skills in software design and computer programming (e.g. Java, JavaScript, web-technologies, mobile technologies)
? Background knowledge in hardware prototying platforms (Arduino, Rasperry PI) and real-time data systems
? Background knowledge in educational processes and learning theories or applied cognitive science
? Specific expertise that is relevant for the job title would add to the candidate’s fitness, e.g. user experience engineering, web services, data processing, educational technologies or teaching
? Affinity with education, teaching and learning is an asset
? Creativity, self-management skills and cooperation skills
? Excellent academic writing and presentation skills
? An excellent command of spoken and written English
Salary
PHD students will be initially appointed for a period of 15 months. The appointment will be extended to four years when progress and performance are good. The salary is ? 2.174,= gross per month in the first year and is expected to increase to ? 2.779,= in the fourth year, for a fulltime appointment, contingent on satisfactory performance.
Studying online anywhere in the Netherlands and Belgium (Flanders)
The Open Universiteit (OU) is the university in the Netherlands where students study part-time and follow online and activating education in bachelor and master degree programmes in seven fields of study. Characteristics of the education are openness, flexibility and quality. Enhancing the study success of students is an important point of focus. More than 15.000 students are studying at the OU and the OU has 531 employees. The OU has a network of fifteen regional study centres in the Netherlands and six in Belgium (Flanders). The head office is situated in Heerlen.
The most modern technologies and educational insights are applied in bachelor and master programmes and courses and also in projects and programmes with partners. Nationally and internationally the OU plays a key role in the innovation of higher education. Education and research are closely interrelated which guarantees that the current state of science is applied. The OU not only invests in research in the various academic disciplines, but also in research in learning sciences and learning technologies.
Satisfied students
For several consecutive years, the OU has achieved the top 2 position in the National Students Survey among the fourteen Dutch universities. Students at the OU are very satisfied about their study with respect to content, study load, scientific skills, preparation professional career, teachers, tests and assessments, information and quality. In the Dutch university guide ‘Keuzegids Universiteiten 2016’,in which bachelor studies of the fourteen universities are compared, students and experts rank the OU as the second best university. In the Dutch university guide ‘Keuzegids Masters 2016’ the OU is ranked as the second best university for masters too.
Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences
The faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences is strong in education and research. The faculty offers scientific bachelor and master studies Psychology and a master Educational Sciences. Four different master studies Psychology are offered: Work and organizational psychology, Health psychology, Clinical psychology and Lifespan psychology. The research programme of the scientific field of psychology is positioned within one of the four afore-mentioned fields of study of psychology. The Welten-instituut is the research centre for learning, teaching and technology. It is a department of the faculty which plays an important role in research into the innovation of education and professionalization of teachers, both nationally and internationally.
In the National Students Survey 2015 the bachelor and master studies Psychology were rated as the best studies in their rankings and the master Educational Sciences received a high satisfaction score. And in the Dutch university guide ‘Keuzegids Universiteiten 2016’ in which bachelor studies of the fourteen Dutch universities are compared, students and experts rated the bachelor study Psychology of the OU as the best in this field of study of the universities. And additionally in the Dutch university guide ‘Keuzegids Masters 2016’ the master Psychology ranks the first place in its ranking.
Station
Heerlen, The Netherlands
Additional information
For more information about this vacancy you can contact Hendrik.Drachsler-AT-ou.nl or Marcus.Specht-AT-ou.nl
For additional information about the Open Universiteit and the Welten Institute, you can visit our websites www.ou.nl en www.ou.nl/psychologie
The Open Universiteit provides good secondary benefits such as training, mobility, part-time employment and paid parental leave.
Application Procedure
Letters of application should be accompanied by a Curriculum Vitae. Please write the vacancy number both on the letter and the envelope and send the application to:
Open Universiteit, GSO/AenO/Personeels-, salaris-, en financiële administratie, Postbus 2960, 6401 DL Heerlen, The Netherlands.
You can also apply by sending these documents by e-mail to solliciteren-AT-ou.nl
Closing date: 27.06.2016