The Research Centre for Didactics and Technology in Teacher Education (CIDTFF) wishes to recruit 3 doctors for the following positions:

A - Development of quality digital didactic resources as well as education programmes associated to their exploitation for the development of research competences;

B - Development of (i) evaluation frameworks and tools to monitor the quality of teaching and learning in Higher Education (in particular in the area of Science), facing the challenges of the Bologna process, in order to improve its quality and (ii) knowledge in this field;

C - Design of theoretical and methodological frameworks geared towards the development of fundamental citizenship competences in various social environments, particularly intercultural communication and critical cultural awareness competences in lifelong learning contexts.

CIDTFF has been developing scientific research in the following main lines:

- Education and Professional Development, focussed on the construction of the professional knowledge of teachers and other professionals (namely health services), together with the design, implementation and evaluation of innovative strategies aiming to foster their professional development. It is organised in two main research fields: (i) innovation, development and assessment, particularly studies on innovative education and teaching strategies; and (ii) conception, development and assessment of didactic materials (including multimedia/ICT software) and assessment, namely of learning. Both fields heavily explore information and communication technologies as working methodologies;

- Evaluation of the Teaching and Learning Process in Education focussed on the development of theoretical frameworks and methodological tools to be used towards the promotion of its quality. The increasingly need for quality in Education, in particular in Higher Education, is the starting point of this research line. Despite the link often established between quality evaluation and the allocation of funds, the perspective assumed here lies, mainly, within the Enhancement Paradigm for Quality Evaluation. In this context the CIDTFF Development Plan foresees that conditions will be favourable for the development of new theoretical frameworks about teaching, teacher education and quality education evaluation in various subjects, namely in Science, taking into account new European challenges (Bologna process; Profile of an European Teacher; among others); the deepening of the conception, experimentation and evaluation of innovative teaching methodologies, namely with the use of e-contexts, as paths for the interactive construction of knowledge and framed on the lifelong learning paradigm; the construction of diversified support materials to teaching and training in several contexts; the promotion of cooperation and interchange with other R&D units or research centres, both national and international; the offer of proposals that can help the definition of educational policies and educational research;

- Education, Teaching and Society, focussed on interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary research/development studies at the level of teaching and learning for citizenship. It explores both formal and informal contexts and its articulations, which means that the emphasis of the research line is not confined to school contexts and has been increasingly framed in the lifelong learning paradigm.

Job description for Position A - development of quality didactic resources (particularly digital tools), as well as education programmes associated to their exploitation with a view towards the development of research competences (scientific/technological culture, linguistic culture) considered fundamental for exercising citizenship in the framework of the issues posed to the scientific/technological and multicultural society we live in. Work will be conducted with other researchers in the area, using the facilities of the Didactic Courseware Laboratory and other research facilities available at CIDTFF and the University of Aveiro.

Job description for Position B - Development of theoretical frameworks and tools to monitor and evaluate the quality of teaching and learning in Higher Education (HE), in particular in the area of Science where there have been high student failure and drop out rates. This development will be pursued under the scope of the challenges the Portuguese University is presently facing due to the Bologna Process, and also in view of a reinforcement of the European HE geography. A meta-analysis study looking for the establishment of the sate of the art in the field will be carried out and will give support to an intervention plan, which will be conceived, implemented and evaluated. This intervention plan will include the development of teaching strategies and tools to be used in teaching, namely in a blended-learning context. This work will be conducted with other researchers in the area, using the facilities of the Lab for the Evaluation of Education Quality and other research facilities available at CIDTFF and the University of Aveiro.

Job description for Position C - Design of theoretical and methodological frameworks geared towards the development of fundamental citizenship competences in various social environments, particularly intercultural communication and critical cultural awareness competences in lifelong learning contexts will be a task to be developed on the basis of specific education needs analysis studies carried out in professional fields.

In addition to being responsible for participating in the development of the area, needs analysis, implementation and evaluation of frameworks mentioned above are also part of the job description of the successful applicant. Work will be conducted with other researchers in the area, using the facilities of the Open Laboratory for the Learning of Foreign Languages and other research facilities available at CIDTFF and the University of Aveiro.

All positions will include some form of (co) supervision of researchers in the respective areas and eventually some support to seminars.

The post holders will become full members of CIDTFF, contributing effectively towards its development and visibility, e.g. by means of publishing articles and research reports.

Qualification and Experience: Applicants should hold a PhD in a relevant field and display evidence, for each of the positions, of work developed in the area.

Contract: An initial contract of 1 year, renewable up to 5 years, will be offered to the candidates that are recruited on the basis of the results of the analysis of their CV.

Applications: To apply, please send (a) presentation letter explicitly stating the position the application refers to – A, B or C; (b) CV with photo, (c) 2 reference letters; (d) research proposal; (e) résumé addressing selection criteria below:

Essential: publications in a relevant field for the position; ability to maintain confidentiality; ability to work as part of a team; ability to work independently; ability to work under pressure; attention to detail; flexible and adaptable approach to work; initiative; computer skills; supervisory skills; verbal communication/interpersonal skills; academic writing skills.

Desirable: knowledge of University of Aveiro organisation, policy and procedures; lecturing skills; organisational/planning skills; problem-solving ability; sensitivity.

When applying to these positions make sure you mention “C2007-UA/CIDTFF”, followed by the letter that identifies the position you are applying to, in the message subject.