[AISWorld] Project coordinator position

[Netta Iivari]

Opening of project coordinator position for a period of two years.

INTERACT research unit (Faculty of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering, University of Oulu, Finland, http://interact.oulu.fi<http://interact.oulu.fi/>) has an opening for one (1) project coordinator position. The objective of the project is to increase the ratio of female students in post high school education in information technology (IT).

Gender gap between employees in IT is a national and globally recognized issue. Currently, large majority of students in IT are male. Another challenge is the lack of IT workforce; e.g. within Oulu region there have been frequent news of difficulties of IT companies to find competent employees. Programming has been integrated into the Finnish primary and lower secondary school curriculum year 2016. Also upper secondary school/high school level education needs to respond to this: the incoming students are more skilled in programming and their potential interest in the subject should be supported or such interest raised as these students are to make influential choices as regards their future career. In high schools, this is becoming acknowledged and programming offered as optional courses. However, many schools and teachers in Finland still lack skills and knowledge in IT education and there is a need to offer guidelines and tools for the purpose. Additionally, it is important that programming is described to students as one of the important areas in IT, but as only one of many. For example, design and testing are significant areas, too. Hence, students not primarily interested in programming may still pursue a career in IT. In addition to students, it is important that high school teachers understand this, as their views and opinions will be transmitted to their students. To achieve optimal results in the project, gender aspects must be taken into account. IT and programming education, careers and work practices have all been shown to be gendered. Important is to understand how girls perceive and approach IT and programming and how their interest in them could be aroused. During the project, there will be active collaboration with high schools in the Oulu area. A comprehensive survey will be conducted about the current state of IT and programming education in high schools. Good practices and pedagogical obstacles will be identified. Afterwards, concrete guidelines and tools will be produced and piloted for high school teachers and study advisors. The tools will support the integration of IT-related content to IT and non-IT courses in high schools. Thorough the project, research data will be collected. The project coordinator is expected to have an interest to pursue a doctoral degree in Information Systems addressing the project topic and utilizing the research material collected in the project. There is a possibility for two years extension to the contract.

Conditions and requirements
The project coordinator position is available for 2 years. Afterwards, there is a possibility for two years extension in a doctoral student position in Information Systems. The applicant preferably can speak Finnish at least with level C2 in CEFR scale.

Starting salary will be based on the job specific level 7 according to the university salary system for other staff of Finnish universities. The salary is paid for 12 months in a year. Additionally, the project coordinator is entitled to health care benefits. The successful candidate should have a Master's degree in Information Systems, Human Computer Interaction or related discipline. Master's students near completion can also apply.

Application Procedure
Applications, together with all relevant enclosures, should be submitted electronically by September 10th, 2017 to the recruitment system: https://rekry.saima.fi/certiahome/open_job_view.html?did=5600&jc=1&id=00004118&lang=fi

The following documents must be attached to the application:
1) a brief curriculum vitae
2) motivation letter,
3) reference letters,
4) a brief (maximum of 4 pages), tentative research plan on the project topic, in English.

Decisions will be made during September. The applicant should be able to start working in October 2017.

More information:
professor Netta Iivari, e-mail: Netta.Iivari at oulu.fi<mailto:Netta.Iivari at oulu.fi>