PhD (Detecting math fluency problems using advanced psychometric models) (1.0 fte)
Apply nowPhD (Detecting math fluency problems using advanced psychometric models) (1.0 fte)
Are you motivated to improve how we identify and support children with mathematical fluency difficulties? Do you want to investigate how detailed digital assessment data can help detect fluency problems at an earlier stage? And are you interested in applying psychometric models that translate complex test data into information teachers can clearly understand and use? If so, this PhD project offers you an opportunity to contribute to meaningful advances in the assessment of mathematical fluency.
PhD (Detecting math fluency problems using advanced psychometric models) (1.0 fte)
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What are you going to do?
Over four years, you will analyse large-scale data from Cito’s student monitoring system, conduct simulation studies to examine the potential and limitations of different modelling approaches, and validate these approaches using newly collected test data and qualitative process assessments with children. You will also work closely with teachers to ensure that resulting score reports are scientifically robust, accessible, and relevant for classroom decision-making. Promising results will be implemented in existing large-scale assessments, allowing your work to
have impact in everyday educational practice.
Important tasks include:
- Analysing pre-collected data from the Cito student monitoring system.
- Setting up computer simulations to test the benefits and limits of psychometric models.
- Collecting and analysing new data from schools and individual students.
- Working with teachers on interpreting and communicating assessment outcomes.
- Publish the results of the research in international scientific journals.
- Present the research findings to fellow scientists and developers in the larger project, and collaborate with them.
- Provide a limited number of educational activities at the department of Pedagogical Sciences, such as small-scale tutorials and guest lectures, in collaboration with the supervisors.
Who are you?
Working at the intersection of psychometrics, educational science, and classroom practice, you will focus on improving the identification of mathematical fluency difficulties in two complementary ways. First, you will enhance existing arithmetic speed tests by incorporating item characteristics (such as problem size and carrying or borrowing) as well as the relationship between speed and accuracy to obtain a more informative and accurate picture of students’ automaticity. Second, you will explore the use of response times in digital mathematics ability (power) tests as a potential alternative to traditional speed tests, examining whether the same item-level information and speed–accuracy patterns can be used to identify fluency difficulties in a more flexible and informative way.
We are looking for candidates who:
- Have a (research) master’s degree in social and behavioural sciences (or equivalent), with a strong affinity with educational sciences and psychometrics.
- Have experience in working with R.
- Enjoy writing in English and are enthusiastic about the prospect of writing scientific articles resulting in a dissertation.
- Have excellent academic English writing skills.
- Are able to communicate in Dutch (both verbally and in writing) or are willing to learn Dutch.
- Are enthusiastic about translating scientific insights into practical advice and presenting these to a (non)-academic audience.
- Have good organisational skills and the motivation to organise and realise data collection.
What can you expect from us?
- In accordance with the collective labor agreement for Dutch universities, we offer a salary of at least € 3.059 up to a maximum of € 3.881 (promovendus) gross per month for a full-time employment contract.
- 232 vacation hours per year, based on a 38-hour workweek (1.0 FTE). You can also work more or fewer hours in exchange for more or fewer free hours. For example, with a 40-hour workweek, you save 96 extra free hours, and with a 36-hour workweek, you lose 96 hours.
- End-of-year bonus of 8.3% and 8% holiday allowance.
- Extensive opportunities for personal and professional development.
- A temporary employment of 1.0 FTE for a period of four years. You will first be employed for a period of one year. After a positive result and development interview, the contract will be extended for the remaining period of three years.
Where will you be working?
At the University of Groningen (UG), researchers from all fields of academia and technology are working on academic challenges and societal questions. Lecturers prepare their students for meaningful careers within or outside the academic world. Interdisciplinary research and teaching, sharing of knowledge, collaboration with businesses, government institutions, and societal organizations are aspects that are of the utmost importance to this European top university. The UG aims to be an open academic community with an inclusive and safe working climate that invites you to add your value.
You will be employed in the department of Orthopedagogy – Child and Family Welfare. Together with the basic unit of Inclusive and Special Needs Education, the basic unit of Child and Family Welfare is responsible for the research- and educational program of Orthopedagogy. Both units are part of the department of Pedagogical and Educational Sciences and collaborate intensively in research and education.
You will collaborate with experts from Cito and the Universities of Twente and Groningen, joining a dedicated research team committed to improving educational assessment and classroom practice. The project is funded by the Dutch National Education Institute and you will be supervised by Dr Muirne Paap, Dr Wendy Post, Dr Remco Feskens and Dr Niek Frans.
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Sollicitatieprocedure
After submitting your application, you will receive a confirmation by email.
The selection committee assesses your application and you will be notified as soon as possible whether you are invited for an interview.
We would like to get to know each other better in a first interview, which can take place either online or on location.
We may schedule a second interview with you. Depending on the position, this interview can be complemented with an assessment or guest lecture.
After a positive interview, we will discuss the terms of employment together. When everything is completed, we are happy to welcome you at the University of Groningen!
Interested?
Does this vacancy appeal to you? If so, click on the button below and apply straightaway.
Please add the following documents to your application:
- CV.
- Cover letter.
Do you have any questions or need more information?
-
Questions about the content of the job?
Niek Frans
Assistant Professor
N.Frans@rug.nl -
Questions about your application process?
Niek Frans
Assistant Professor
N.Frans@rug.nl
Information about applying
When scheduling meetings, we will take your schedule into account as much as possible.
The University of Groningen considers social safety important. We strive to be a university where staff and students feel respected and at home, regardless of differences in background, experiences, perspectives, and identity. For more information, see also our page about our diversity policy.
Acquisition is not appreciated.
Our selection procedure follows the guidelines of the NVP Application Code.
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