Doctoral Researcher (PhD student), Learning Analytics - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

The University of Eastern Finland is inviting applications for Doctoral Researcher (PhD student) position in learning analytics at the School of Computing on the Joensuu campus. The position will be filled for a fixed term from 01.09.2024 (or starting date as agreed).

Please find more information below and submit your application no later than 28 August 2024.

Role and salary

We are looking for a highly motivated and talented Doctoral Researcher to join us at the School of Computing. The Doctoral Researcher will be working on the CRETIC project funded by the Research Council of Finland and led by Senior Researcher Sonsoles López-Pernas. The CRETIC project uses multimodal learning analytics and explainable artificial intelligence to optimize emergency training of healthcare students and trainees in a gamified environment.

As our new Doctoral Researcher (PhD student) your main responsibilities will include:

• Conducting multimodal data collection using physiological sensors
• Analyzing data using state-learning analytics methods
• Participating in the development of a gamified simulation platform
• Write publications for scientific conferences and journals
• Mobility periods within or outside Finland

The candidate will contribute to the development of an innovative gamified platform that combines virtual patients and elements of educational escape rooms to simulate clinical emergencies. The candidate will participate in the collection of multimodal data from multiple sources (physiological sensors, questionnaires and digital logs). The candidate will work in the analysis of the data using the latest temporal learning analytics and explainable artificial intelligence methods to map the clinical reasoning process and to identify the factors that lead to successful and effective decision-making. As such, the doctoral student will have the opportunity to work in a highly interdisciplinary research project that lies at the intersection of computing, education, psychology, and medicine.

Besides, the main task of a Doctoral Researcher is to conduct research for their dissertation and to complete postgraduate studies.

The position for the Doctoral Researcher will be filled for a fixed 4-year term, from 01.09.2024 to 31.08.2028 (or as agreed), due to it pertaining to a candidate’s own doctoral degree. A probationary period is applied to all new members of the staff.

The salary of the position is determined in accordance with the salary system for Finnish universities. The salary comprises two components: a job-related salary element and a personal salary element. For a Doctoral Researcher, the job-related salary element is EUR 2,220 – 2,770 /month, based on levels 2–4 of the job requirement level chart for teaching and research staff depending on the stage of the applicant's doctoral research and postgraduate studies. The personal salary element is 6–50% of the job-related salary element. Depending on the personal salary element, the salary will be approximately EUR 2,585-2,720 €/month at the beginning of employment.

Our requirements and expectations

Requirements:

• The person to be appointed to the position of Doctoral Researcher (PhD student) shall hold a Master’s degree in disciplines such as computer science, engineering or biomedicine, or another relevant field.
• The person to be appointed as a Doctoral Researcher shall be qualified to pursue postgraduate studies, i.e., the selected candidate will have to apply and be eligible for the Faculty's Doctoral Programme LUMETO.
• Potential candidates should have a good command of written and spoken English.
• The Doctoral Researcher can take part in meetings and research visits abroad (up to one month) which requires willingness to travel and work internationally.

The following will be considered an advantage:

• Proficiency in using R programming language and/or in web development
• Previous involvement in research projects and international collaboration
• Finnish language skills

Your benefits

You will have access to the university’s staff benefits, including:

• opportunity for flexible multi-location work,
• extensive occupational health care,
• broad selection of staff training,
• staff discount on lunch in our campus restaurants, as well as on a range of other services,
• affordable sports services and tax-free bike benefit. Please read more in the Work at UEF section on our website.

Please read more in the Work at UEF section on our website. 

You will have an opportunity to work in an interesting, meaningful, and diverse role as part of our international, creative, participatory, and inclusive academic community. You will become a member of the Learning Analytics unit of the School of Computing, the most productive learning analytics center in Europe, leading the methodological advancement of the field.

Enjoy your life in Finland! Known for its cleanliness, welfare know-how, modern technology and superb education system, Finland is an exotic and safe country to work in. Please visit the Life in Finland section on our website to learn more.

How to apply?

Submit your application by using our electronic application form no later than 28 August 2024 by 24:00 (midnight) Finnish time (UTC+3). Shortlisted candidates will be invited to an online interview in early September.

Please note that you must include the following appendices in your application:

• a CV (Template for CV, www-page)
• a list of publications (Instructions for a list of publications, www-page)
• copies of your academic degree certificates / diplomas, and copies of certificates / diplomas relating to your language proficiency if not indicated in the academic degree certificates/diplomas, 
• a motivation letter (max 1-2 pages, the usage of generative AI is discouraged),
• Github profile or similar project portfolio (optional),
• other documents to demonstrate your merits for the position.

If your degree certificate is not in English, Finnish, or Swedish, you must provide official English translations of your degree certificate documents. All translations must be made by the issuing educational institution or an authorized translator. Each page of the official translation must bear the translator's stamp and/or signature. Official translations must be accurate translations of the original documents. Translations made by applicants themselves will not be accepted.

Questions?

For further information about the position, please contact Senior Researcher Sonsoles López Pernas, email: sonsoles.lopez@uef.fi, phone: +358 50 412 6453

For further information about the application procedure, please contact HR Specialist Iiris Korhonen, email: iiris.korhonen@uef.fi, phone: +358 29 4458161.