PhD Position: Capital M: strengthening mathematics in STEM-education

LESEC is a centre for educational research in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Architecture & Mathematics). This research focuses on learning and teaching within all STEAM disciplines and for the different educational levels (primary, secondary and higher education, post-university education). In addition to an in-depth insight into learning, support and educational processes, LESEC also aims to embed the findings from this research in educational practice, both within and outside the university.
Within LESEC and within the research groups iSTEM-didactics (Faculty of Engineering) and Mathematics-didactics (Department of Mathematics), a doctoral position is available, which focuses on strengthening mathematics within integrated STEM education.
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Project
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For secondary school students, the practical relevance of mathematics is not always clear. One possible way to make the value of mathematics clear is through STEM education, in which students use their mathematical knowledge (combined with scientific and technical skills) to solve real-world problems. Unfortunately, the mathematics component in such STEM projects often remains relatively modest, with mathematics often being reduced to arithmetic skills. STEM projects that also use and promote a deeper conceptual understanding of mathematics are largely lacking. This PhD aims to equip STEM teachers with tools and skills to strengthen the mathematical component in STEM projects.
The first aim of the PhD is to further develop and validate an instrument to evaluate to what extent a STEM project promotes different types of mathematical skills (e.g. procedural skills, conceptual understanding, adaptive reasoning). To this end, an existing prototype instrument is further developed and applied to existing STEM projects, and the validity and reliability of the instrument are documented (e.g. inter-rater reliability). In a second step, based on the insights gained from the application of the evaluation instrument and from the literature, a professionalization trajectory is developed to help STEM teachers integrate in-depth mathematics into their STEM projects. To this end, an inspiration list is created that links mathematical final objectives to possible STEM project designs and learning content from other STEM subjects. The final phase of the project includes an evaluation of the impact that participation in this trajectory has on the attitudes and skills of teachers with regard to the integration of mathematics in STEM education and how these attitudes translate into their teaching practices.

Profile
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We are looking for a highly motivated, enthusiastic, driven and inquisitive researcher who is driven to conduct applied educational research on STEM education in Flanders.
Candidates have:
•a Master’s degree in (industrial) (bio) Engineering Sciences or in Mathematics or an Educational Master’s degree in science and technology, obtained with at least distinction. Students who will obtain this degree this academic year are also eligible.
•A good knowledge of mathematics at the level of 1st bachelor subjects within science or engineering
•affinity with and interest in STEM in secondary education. A teacher training diploma and/or experience in (STEM) education is a plus.
• very good knowledge of Dutch and English, both written and spoken
• knowledge of statistical analyses and/or qualitative research methods, or a great willingness to quickly familiarize oneself with these
• good research skills, and the commitment to quickly familiarize oneself with the appropriate research methods and ICT applications
• good communication skills, necessary for smooth cooperation with teachers and fellow researchers and presentations at national and international forums
• sense of initiative
• a strong dose of independence. You will join a team that is ready to provide advice, but the doctorate is your personal long-term project.
As a doctoral student, you will follow a doctoral program at the Arenberg Doctoral School in which you will be given the time and space to learn and develop research expertise, tailored to specific needs and interests. A limited teaching assignment is also part of the job description.

Offer
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A full-time position with a competitive salary as a PhD fellow, leading to a PhD in Engineering Sciences and/or Mathematics. In principle, funding is available for a four-year PhD trajectory (subject to a favorable evaluation after 1 year).
Start date: September 1, 2025 (or to be agreed upon in mutual consultation).

Interested?
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Are you interested in the project and do you recognize yourself in some of these characteristics? Then send us your CV and motivation letter, the electronic version (possibly still ‘in revision’) of a recent research project (e.g. master thesis, scientific publication, etc.), your bachelor and master diploma transcripts and the names of two references via the online application page.
If you are very interested in this vacancy, but you are afraid that you do not meet the required competencies, please do not hesitate to contact us. For more information please contact Prof. dr. ir. Hanne Deprez, tel.: +32 16 32 86 26, mail: [email protected] or Prof. dr. Jeroen Lavrijsen, tel.: +32 16 32 04 53, mail: [email protected].
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