PhD in Educational Sciences

The University | About us...

The University of Luxembourg is an international research university with a distinctly multilingual and interdisciplinary character. The University was founded in 2003 and counts more than 6,700 students and more than 2,000 employees from around the world. The University's faculties and interdisciplinary centres focus on research in the areas of Computer Science and ICT Security, Materials Science, European and International Law, Finance and Financial Innovation, Education, Contemporary and Digital History. In addition, the University focuses on cross-disciplinary research in the areas of Data Modelling and Simulation as well as Health and System Biomedicine. Times Higher Education ranks the University of Luxembourg #3 worldwide for its "international outlook," #20 in the Young University Ranking 2021 and among the top 250 universities worldwide.

The Faculty of Humanities, Education and Social Sciences (FHSE) brings together expertise from the humanities, linguistics, cognitive sciences, social and educational sciences. People from across 20 disciplines are working within the Faculty. Along with the disciplinary approach a very ambitious interdisciplinary research culture has been developed.

The faculty's research and teaching focuses on social, economic, political and educational issues with the common goal of contributing to an inclusive, open and resourceful society. The FHSE offers six Bachelor and twenty Master degrees and a doctoral school providing students with the necessary knowledge and high-qualified skills to succeed in their future career.

Your Role...

As part of the HORIZON-Europe-funded project MTSS-K (Early identification and remediation of literacy, numeracy, and social-emotional difficulties in kindergarten: an examination of the efficacy of a multi-tiered system of support), we are looking for a Doctoral researcher at the University of Luxembourg.

Effective and inclusive education systems are the foundations of successful and cohesive societies. Yet, several European education systems are regularly pointed out as being underperforming, inequitable or segregated, as is the case for Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, France, Italy, and Switzerland. Their prevalent 'wait-to-fail' model of education particularly affects the most vulnerable students who only receive appropriate pedagogical support when they encounter significant academic challenges, which is sometimes too late for many students. This calls for a drastic change through preventing learning difficulties and providing early intervention measures.

The core objective of the 4-year MTSS-K project is to adapt, implement and assess the effectiveness and efficiency of a promising North American educational approach for kindergarten in five European countries. The so-called Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) aims at reducing inequalities by training teachers to improve the socio-emotional, literacy and numeracy skills of all students and, more particularly, of the most vulnerable ones. This model calls to adopt evidence-based teaching practices and to regularly, and monitor students' progress on the basis of objective data (Tier 1); to provide early and more intensive group interventions to students who do not progress as expected (Tier 2); and to provide even more intensive interventions to students who continue to need it (Tier 3).

Responsibilities:

• Collaboration in the various empirical qualitative and quantitative project activities, depending on expertise
• Publications
• Participation in scientific conferences
• Participation in teaching (to a small extent) is possible if interested

Project leader: Dr. Christophe Dierendonck

What we expect from you…

• Master's degree in education or/and psychology
• Interest in studies with young children (Cycle 1)
• Openness to quantitative and qualitative research methods
• Very good knowledge of Luxembourgish, German OR French (written and oral), and English (written and oral)

What we offer…

• An interesting job with stimulating, challenging activities in a committed team
• A motivating environment in which research is understood as teamwork
• The opportunity to work independently and gain further qualifications (doctorate)
• International networking & cooperation in various research networks

How to apply...

Applications should include:

• Letter of motivation
• Curriculum vitae
• Copies of diplomas (or certificates and transcripts of records from your Bachelor and Master programmes) and names of two referees
• Short description of your Master's dissertation (max. 1 page)
• 2-3 pages abstract of a possible dissertation topic
• List of publications

Early application is highly encouraged, as the applications will be processed upon reception. Please apply formally through the HR system. Applications by email will not be considered.

The University of Luxembourg embraces inclusion and diversity as key values. We are fully committed to removing any discriminatory barrier related to gender, and not only, in recruitment and career progression of our staff.

General information:

• Contract Type: Fixed Term Contract 36 Month (extendable up to 48 months if required)
• Start date: 1 January 2025 (or by arrangement)
• Work Hours: Full Time 40.0 Hours per Week
• Employee and student status
• Location: Campus Belval
• Internal Title: Doctoral Researcher
• Job Reference: UOL06576

The yearly gross salary for every PhD at the UL is EUR 40952 (full time)

For questions and further information, please contact: Christophe Dierendonck: , https://www.uni.lu/fhse-en/people/christophe-dierendonck/