PhD in Special Needs Education in University of Oslo – Norway

Summary

The University of Oslo is inviting applications for a PhD Research Fellow position in Special Needs Education. The doctoral projects will focus on counselling within special needs education, with a particular encouragement for applications with a quantitative empirical orientation. Research in this field involves collaboration among individuals with special educational needs, families, educators, and professionals across various services, addressing relational, communicative, ethical, organizational, and evidence-informed aspects of counselling practice. Applicants should demonstrate methodological rigor and propose appropriate statistical methods. The position is full-time and temporary, not funded by an EU program. The application deadline is October 8, 2026.

Key Facts

Position Type	PhD Research Fellow
Discipline	Educational sciences
Research Area	Special Needs Education, Counselling, Quantitative Empirical Orientation
Degree Required	Master Degree or equivalent
Funding	Not funded by a EU programme
Contract Duration	Temporary
Deadline	2026-10-08
Employer Address	PO box 1072 Blindern, NO-0316 Oslo, Norway
Employer Contact	[email protected], [email protected], [email protected]

About the Project

The doctoral projects will explore counselling in special needs education, focusing on promoting participation, inclusion, learning, and well-being for individuals with special educational needs. Research will involve collaboration with families, educators, and professionals across educational, health, and welfare services, addressing various aspects of counselling practice. A quantitative empirical orientation is particularly encouraged, utilizing large-scale survey data, administrative or register-based data, repeated cross-sectional or longitudinal designs, and evaluation studies. Examples of data sources include Ungdata and HBSC, allowing for investigations into adolescents' school well-being, relationships, psychosocial difficulties, and their relation to support needs and preventive work.

Required Skills

• Methodological rigour
• Statistical methods appropriate to research questions and data

Who Should Apply

Applicants with a Master's degree or equivalent in Educational Sciences, particularly those interested in doctoral projects within counselling in special needs education with a quantitative empirical orientation. Candidates should demonstrate methodological rigor and proficiency in statistical methods. Mixed-methods, qualitative, participatory design-based, or intervention components are also welcome if they strengthen the overall project.

About the Employer

The University of Oslo is the organization offering this PhD Research Fellow position. The job is full-time with 37.5 hours per week. It is not funded by an EU research framework programme and is not related to a staff position within a research infrastructure.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the research focus of this PhD position?

The research focus is on doctoral projects within the broad field of counselling in special needs education, with a particular encouragement for applications with a quantitative empirical orientation.

What is the required education level for applicants?

Applicants must hold a Master Degree or equivalent.

Is this job funded by an EU Research Framework Programme?

No, the job is not funded by an EU programme.

What is the application deadline?

The application deadline is October 8, 2026, at 23:00 Europe/Oslo time.

What type of contract is offered for this position?

The contract type is temporary.

What are the working hours for this full-time position?

The working hours are 37.5 hours per week.