We are looking for a PHD researcher learning analytics for the I-learn project
I-LEARN DOCTORAL FELLOWSHIP LEARNING ANALYTICS
itec is a research group of KU Leuven and imec, Flanders’ high-tech research and innovation centre for nanoelectronics and digital technologies. On the Kortrijk campus of KU Leuven, itec brings together researchers from three different faculties (Psychology & Educational Sciences, Letters and Medicine) and five disciplines (educational psychology, statistics, applied linguistics, data science and computer science) to work together on research themes in educational technology, such as instructional design and the effectiveness of online learning environments (e.g. e-learning, serious games), statistical modelling, adaptive learning algorithms and natural language processing.
itec is a structural part of imec and is responsible for managing the imec Smart Education research programme, in which a broader inter-university team of research groups interacts (including from the UGent and the VUB), including imec Academy. The imec Smart Education research programme focuses on research lines relating to the use of technologies such as wearables, artificial intelligence or learning analytics.
As a PhD student in learning analytics, you will have every opportunity to develop yourself further in your professional career and you will have every opportunity to expand the network of partners in the flourishing market of educational technology.
PROJECT AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The doctoral research is part of the i-Learn project, in which Flemish Minister of Innovation Philippe Muyters invests. The aim of this project is to make specific technology for personalized learning available to our primary and secondary schools through an open portal, so that they can offer their pupils personalized learning material. In this way, they can respond more adequately to the specificities of each pupil: further challenge stronger pupils and support vulnerable pupils in a more targeted way.
In this PhD project, research into the use of data in function of personalized learning environments is central. The doctoral project will first of all map out the concrete needs, the existing use and the opportunities of learning analytics in Flemish education. Subsequently, techniques for the description, explanation and prediction of cognitive and non-cognitive learning outcomes will be further developed, and implemented and evaluated through targeted use cases in close collaboration (with other researchers and schools, among others).
The PhD candidate is expected to complete a PhD within a period of 4 years within the above-mentioned research line. The core of the PhD activities will consist of setting up, executing and reporting the PhD research. In addition, the PhD candidate will also have to do a limited amount of educational services.
You will work in a multidisciplinary team consisting of 35 researchers and you will report to the 4 Principal Investigators. In your daily job you will work closely with the other colleagues of the project team within itec but also within imec and KU Leuven.
PROFILE
We are looking for candidates who
- have (or will have on 1 October 2019) a Master’s degree in Pedagogical Sciences, Psychology or Statistics;
- have a special interest in statistics;
- have a thorough statistical knowledge and are willing to learn advanced statistical techniques in the context of learning analytics;
- have a special interest in the use of technology in education;
- have at least distinguished themselves during their programme of study;
- are creative and critical scientific thinking;
- are result-oriented and analytical;
- are able to work both independently and in a team;
- have good communication skills to work together within the research group and with relevant research and education partners in the iLearn project;
- have a very good command of English and preferably also of Dutch (both in oral communication and in the field of reading and writing).
We kindly ask the candidates to include a short motivation letter in addition to their more detailed CV in which they express their interest in this vacancy.
OFFER
In this role, you represent a research institute that focuses on excellence in research and tries to bring about positive societal effects. You will have the opportunity to develop yourself by learning about the EdTech landscape, the (international) network in which we operate (typically the triple helix; social and economic players, the academic world and education) and to influence developments in education and learning. This position offers flexibility, the opportunity to work with an enthusiastic team in a stimulating multicultural and multidisciplinary environment and to continuously learn. Your workplace is located at the KU Leuven campus Kulak in Kortrijk.
We offer a full-time appointment for 1 year, subject to a positive evaluation extended to 4 years.
In addition to a competitive salary, KU Leuven also offers a number of additional advantages, such as the possibility of flexible working, hospitalisation insurance, eco-vouchers, reimbursement for commuting by public transport, inexpensive meals, a KU Leuven bicycle, etc.
CONTACT
For more information, please contact Prof. Wim Van Den Noortgate (wim.vandennoortgate@kuleuven.be) or Ine Windey (ine.windey@kuleuven.be).