This project ‘Co-constructive literacy development in kindergarten’ focuses on the effects of an intervention programme on child self-regulation and literacy competence development in kindergarten. The aim of the programme is to facilitate children’s transition from kindergarten to first grade. In the intervention, an attempt will be made to support children’s literacy abilities by means of mediated instruction. The project will also examine how ICT routines can enhance children’s self-regulatory and literacy skills. The summative effects of mediated instruction (with and without ICT support) on child self-regulation and child literacy competence will be investigated, as well as the role of the teacher in this process.

The research questions are:

1. To what extent can the early literacy development of children be enhanced by means of a co-constructive intervention programme in kindergarten?
2. What is the role of ICT routines in enhancing children’s literacy development?
3. Is there any evidence of an intermediate effect of child self-regulation?
4. Are there any effects of the quality of literacy support by the teacher?
5. How can individual variation between children be explained?

The results of your studies will be presented at yearly international conferences and will be published in at least five international publications. Your publications will result in a doctoral dissertation.

Requirements
You have:

• a Master’s degree in Cognitive Neuroscience or Behavioural Science, or Special Education, or another relevant discipline;
• broad experience with quantitative research, outstanding methodological and analytical qualities;
• excellent writing skills (in Dutch and in English).
• organizational talent, as well as independence and perseverance.

Organization
Radboud University Nijmegen is one of the leading academic communities in the Netherlands. Situated in the oldest city of the Netherlands, it has nine faculties and enrols over 17,500 students in 107 study programmes.

The project will be embedded in the ‘Learning processes’ priority programme of the Behavioural Science Institute (BSI, http://www.ru.nl/socialewetenschappen/bsi/). This programme deals with the micro-analysis of learning processes. The BSI is a KNAW acknowledged research school that provides excellent research facilities and high-quality training for PhD students.

The project is funded by NWO, and part of a PROO interlinked research project called Creating and Implementing Technology for Early Literacy, in which PhD students from Leiden and Twente, and a post-doctoral researcher from Twente will also be involved.

Website: http://www.ru.nl/fsw

Conditions of employment
Maximum employment: 0,8 fte
Maximum salary per month, based on a fulltime employment: € 2,612 gross/month
The gross starting salary is € 2,024 per month and will increase to € 2,612 (fourth year).
PhD Scale.
Duration of the contract: 5 years.

Additional conditions of employment
You will initially be appointed for 18 months, after which your performance will be evaluated. If evaluated positively, the contract will be extended by 3.5 years.

Other Information
Job interviews are scheduled in June 2009, starting date of the project is September 1st 2009.

Additional Information
dr. Eliane Segers
Telephone: +31 24 3615901, +31 24 3612822
E-mail: e.segers@pwo.ru.nl

Application
You can apply for the job (mention the vacancy number 24.12.09) before 31 May 2009 by sending your application -preferably by email- to:

Faculty of Social Sciences/P&O
P.O. Box 9104
6500 HE NIJMEGEN
E-mail: vacancies@socsci.ru.nl