PhD Candidate in Education: Writing, assessment and learning in the Context of Generative AI

15th February 2026
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English

• Norsk Bokmål
• English

English

The Norwegian Centre for Writing Education and Research and The Department of Teacher Education has a vacancy for a

PhD Candidate in Education: Writing, assessment and learning in the Context of Generative AI
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About the position

The Norwegian Centre for Writing Education and Research and The Department of Teacher Eduaction has a vacancy for a PhD-candidate in Human-AI interaction in teaching and learning.

Are you motivated to take a step towards a doctorate and open exciting career opportunities? As a PhD Candidate with us, you will work to achieve your doctorate, and at the same time gain valuable experience that qualifies you for a further career in higher education and research, in and outside academia.

This PhD fellowship is part of the newly established AI Centre for the Empowerment of Human Learning (AI LEARN ). Six national research centres for Artificial Intelligence are set to launch in the fall of 2025. These centres will foster interdisciplinary collaboration among researchers to address societal challenges, understand the impact of AI, develop new technologies, and drive innovation across both the business and public sectors. This initiative is established and financed through the government's significant investment in artificial intelligence over the next five years.

Your immediate leader will be the Head of The Norwegian Centre for Writing Education and Research, Department of Teacher Education.

About the project

This PhD fellowship is part of the national AI Centre for the Empowerment of Human Learning (AI LEARN). 

Artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming how we learn, work, and participate in society. While these developments present significant opportunities, they also raise challenges that require a responsible and research-based approach.

As humans and AI learn together, create together, and lead together, the foundations of education, work, and civic life are being reshaped. AI LEARN brings together researchers and partners across disciplines and sectors to explore how AI can be used in inclusive, ethical, and sustainable ways – with the goal of strengthening human agency and democratic participation in an AI-driven society.

This PhD position is affiliated with Cluster 5 of AI LEARN, which focuses on identifying learning and competence development needs among students, teachers, school leaders, and other educational stakeholders. The cluster emphasizes AI literacy, professional development, and the design of data-informed learning environments that promote inclusion, equity, and the ability to act critically and responsibly in the face of AI technologies.

The PhD project will focus on how generative AI challenges existing practices and understandings of writing, assessment, and learning in education. There is also room to explore adjacent themes such as language education, literacy, professional development, or leadership in the context of AI, depending on the candidate’s academic background and interests.

As generative AI is increasingly adopted in educational settings, established understandings of disciplinary writing, learning, and assessment are being questioned. This raises new pedagogical and ethical issues and creates a need for research-based knowledge that can support teachers, students, and other stakeholders in using AI in responsible, pedagogically sound, and future-oriented ways.
The project should address both the opportunities and challenges that emerge in the interaction between humans and AI, and will contribute to the ethical, inclusive, and educationally meaningful integration of generative AI in writing instruction, assessment and subject-specific learning.

In addition to this focus, the project may also include an initial mapping of how generative AI is currently being used in education. Such a mapping can provide valuable insights into current practices and serve as a foundation for further case studies or design interventions.
The candidate will also participate in ongoing research in schools and teacher education and work closely with other researchers in AI LEARN.

Duties of the position

The candidate will be a member of the Professional Learning in Assessment Communities (PLAC ) group.

The goal of this project is described above. We are seeking a highly motivated individual who wants to excel in a research environment. Part of the main duties and responsibilities include conducting the following tasks:

• Plan and conduct case studies in schools and/or flexible learning environments
• Facilitate participatory design activities with teachers, students, and other stakeholders
• Collect and analyze empirical data, 
• Write up reports and research articles,
• Attend international conferences,
• Organize dissemination and communication activities within the AI LEARN centre,
• Participate in collaborative activities within the AL LEARN centre.
   

Your work duties may be adjusted during your research period. 
 

Required selection criteria

• You must have a relevant academic background in school, education, or other pedagogical fields.
• You must hold a Norwegian master’s degree in teacher education, education, or another relevant educational science discipline, or an equivalent degree. The degree must correspond to a five-year Norwegian study programme, where at least 120 ECTS credits are obtained at the master's level.
• Master's students can apply, but the master's degree must be obtained and documented before starting the position and no later than the 15th of February 2026.
•  You must have a strong academic background from your previous studies and have an average grade from your Master's degree study, or equivalent education, which is equal to B or better compared to NTNU's grading scale . If you do not have letter grades from previous studies, you must have an equally good academic foundation. If you have a weaker grade background, you may be considered if you can document that you are particularly suitable for a PhD education.
• You must meet the requirements for admission to the faculty's Doctoral Programme 
• Good written and oral skills in Norwegian or another Scandinavian language (level B2 ) and English
   

PLEASE NOTE: For detailed information about what the application must contain, see paragraph “About the application”.

If you cannot document skills in Norwegian, Swedish or Danish at level B2 upon employment NTNU will facilitate so that you can complete relevant Norwegian courses . 

The appointment is to be made in accordance with NTNUs guidelines for recruitment positions and Regulations for the degrees philosophiae doctor (ph.d.) and philosophiae doctor (ph.d.) in artistic development work at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) for general criteria for the position.

Preferred selection criteria

The following qualifications will be considered as an advantage:

• Relevant experience from the school sector
• Good oral and written presentation skills in Norwegian/Scandinavian
• Relevant experience as a research assistant in research projects
• Published or submitted relevant research

Emphasis will be put on personal qualities and potential as a researcher. High importance will also be attached to personal communication and collaborative skills.
 

Personal characteristics

To complete a doctoral degree (PhD), it is essential to: 

• be reliable
• contribute to teamwork
• work independently, systematically and structured
   

In the evaluation of which candidate is best qualified, emphasis will be placed on education, experience, and personal suitability, in terms of the qualification requirements specified in the advertisement.
 

We offer

Evaluate and remove/add what is relevant for the position.

• An exciting job with an important mission in society
• Career guidance and follow-up during the PhD period
• Open and inclusive working environment with committed colleagues
• A budget that can be used to implement the project
• Participation in a Mentor programmeas a new employee at NTNU
• Favorable terms as a member of the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund (SPK)

You will be employed as a PhD Candidate at NTNU and will have access to employee benefits and discounts. 

Diversity

Diversity is a strength, and at NTNU we aim to be an employer that reflects the diversity in society and that makes use of the potential of the population's collective skills. Our vision is Knowledge for a better world  and our values ​​are creative, critical, constructive and respectful . 

We strive to attract employees with a variety of skills, life experiences and perspectives to contribute to our societal mission in research and education. 

At NTNU we want to increase the proportion of women in scientific positions. We have a number of measures to promote equality. 

If you find this position relevant and interesting, we encourage you to apply, regardless of gender, functional ability, cultural background, and unemployment history. 

Salary and conditions

In the position of PhD Candidate, code 1017, your gross salary will normally be NOK 550 800,-per annum depending on qualifications and seniority. A 2% statutory contribution to the State Pension Fund is deducted from the salary. 

The employment period is 3 years. If career promotion work will be added, the employment period will be extended accordingly. 

For employment as a PhD Candidate, it is a prerequisite that you gain admission to the PhD programme in Educational Sciences within three months of your employment contract start date, and that you participate in an organized doctoral programme throughout the period of employment.

As an employee at NTNU, it is important that you keep up to date with academic and organizational changes and adapt to them.
To ensure the necessary academic and social interaction, you are expected to be present and available at the institution on a daily basis. The primary workplace will be in Trondheim, but individual arrangements may be considered if special circumstances apply.

The appointment is carried out in accordance with the principles of the State Employees Act , and Export control (legislation that regulates the export of knowledge, technology and services). Candidates who, after assessment of the application and attachments, are considered to bein conflict with the criteria in the latter act, will not be able to be employed.

About the application

The attachments (including a description of your scientific work) must accompany the application as these documents form the basis of the application assessment. The documents must be in Norwegian/a Scandinavian language or English.

Please note: the application will only be assessed on the basis of the information we have received by the application deadline. Therefore, make sure that your application clearly shows how your skills and experience meet the criteria described above. 

If you have used AI when applying for this position: You must specify in the application in what way AI has been used when writing your application.

The application and all attachments must be sent electronically via Jobbnorge.no. If you are invited to an interview, you must bring certified copies of certificates and diplomas upon request.
 

The application must include:

• CV, certificates and diplomas
• A copy of your master's thesis. If you have recently submitted your Master's thesis, you can attach a draft of the thesis. Documentation of a completed master's degree must be presented before taking up the position, no later than the end of January 2026.
• Project proposal with an overall description of research questions, subject area (writing, literacy, languages, assessment, the development of AI literacy among school leaders, learners and educators), theoretical perspectives, methodological design for the project and progress plan (maximum 3000 words, references included) 
• A short application letter that specifies your motivation for the position (400 words/1 page)
• Academic works - published or unpublished - that you would like to be considered in the assessment (up to 3 works)
• Name and address of until three referees
   

If all, or parts, of your education has been taken abroad, we also ask you to attach documentation of the scope and quality of your entire education, both Bachelor's and Master's education, in addition to other higher education. If your institution uses “diploma supplement” (normal for most European institutions), you must attach this. A description of the documentation required can also be found here . If you already have a statement from Norwegian Directorate for Higher Education and Skills (HK-dir) , please attach this as well.

Joint work will be considered. If it is difficult to identify your contribution to joint work, you must attach a brief description of your participation.

When assessing the best qualified, we emphasize necessary qualifications such as education, experience and personal suitability. Motivation for the position, ambitions, and potential for research will also count when assessing the candidates.
NTNU recognizes a wide range of academic contributions and has committed itself to The San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment and CoARA (responsible assessment of research and recognition of a greater breadth of academic contributions in accordance with NTNU's social mission).

General information

A public list of applicants with name, age, job title and municipality of residence is prepared after the application deadline. If you wish to be exempt from entry on the public applicant list, this must be justified. Assessment will be made in accordance with current legislation . You will be notified if the exemption is not granted.

If you think this position looks interesting and in line with your qualifications, you are welcome to apply.

If you have any questions about the position, please contact Professor Lise Vikan Sandvik, telephone +47 917 85 002, email lise.sandvik@ntnu.no. If you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact HR Maiken Lauritzen Langaunet maiken.l.langaunet@ntnu.no.

Application deadline: 15.02.2026

For practical information about working at NTNU, please visit this webpage. 

The city of Trondheim is a modern European city with a rich cultural scene. Trondheim is the tech capital of Norway with a population of 200,000. The Norwegian welfare state, including healthcare, schools, kindergartens and overall equality, is probably the best of its kind in the world. Professional subsidized day-care for children is easily available. Furthermore, Trondheim offers great opportunities for education (including international schools) and possibilities to enjoy nature, culture and family life and has low crime rates and clean air quality. 

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NTNU - knowledge for a better world
NTNU - knowledge for a better world
The Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) creates knowledge for a better world and solutions that can change everyday life.
Department of Teacher Education
The Department of Teacher Education offers a full range of study programmes for primary and secondary education in Norway.
Our department supports several active research and development projects in learning, teaching, and school leadership and management, as well as artistic work. The Department of Teacher Education is part of the Faculty of Social and Educational Sciences at NTNU. We offer an open and inclusive work environment.  
Questions about the position

Lise Sandvik

Professor

+47 917 85 002

llise.sandvik@ntnu.no

Maiken Lauritzen Langaunet

HR-medarbeider

maiken.l.langaunet@ntnu.no

Apply for this job
Deadline

15th February 2026

Employer

NTNU - Norwegian University of Science and Technology

Municipality

Trondheim

Scope

Fulltime (1 positions) Fulltime (%)

Duration

Temporary

Place of service
Gunnerus gate 1, 7012 Trondheim

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