As a data scientist, you'll uncover insights from rich educational data to understand how students learn. You'll analyze clickstream data, learning patterns, group dynamics, and correlate these with exam results to improve the platform. You'll be mentored by a steering team with decades of combined experience in software development, pedagogy, and technology.
Facts
- Work place: University of Oslo, Department of Informatics
- Duration: minium two months (possibility for extension) within August – October
- How to join: Apply by 11 May
Universet is a gamified learning platform that transforms computer science education into an engaging adventure. Students progress through quests, earn achievements, compete on leaderboards, and collaborate in guilds - all while mastering programming concepts. The platform has achieved remarkable results: zero dropout rates among active users, and students who participate consistently perform significantly better on exams than those who don't.
Over 1,000 students have used Universet, with peaks of 300 concurrent users during active periods. All code and logs are stored on the University of Oslo's infrastructure, giving us access to high-end load balancing and robust scaling possibilities as we continue to grow.
Our work has been recognized with multiple prestigious awards in 2024 and 2025, including the University of Oslo's Teaching Prize 2024. What started as an innovative approach to teaching introductory computer science is now being prepared for rollout across multiple disciplines, potentially transforming how thousands of students learn.
This spring, we're in full-scale development with over 10 dedicated developers building the next generation of the platform. Many of our current developers were themselves students who used Universet and loved it so much they wanted to contribute to its evolution. We're now looking for talented international students to join us this summer and be part of this exciting expansion. You'll work alongside a highly competent steering team with decades of combined experience in software development, pedagogy, and technology - people who are passionate about using technology to make education better.
We're looking for:
- Strong background in statistics and data analysis with demonstrable projects
- Experience with data wrangling and data cleaning
- Proficiency in advanced statistical methods and their application
- Ability to work with complex datasets (clickstream data, user behavior, educational outcomes)
- Skills in cross-tabulation analysis and correlation studies
- Experience analyzing behavioral data or educational data is a plus
- Programming skills in Python or R
Key focus areas
- Learning process analysis from clickstream data
- Correlation between platform usage and exam performance
- Group dynamics and collaboration patterns
- Statistical modeling of learning outcomes
This is a unique opportunity to apply data science to educational research and directly influence how we understand and improve student learning.
Practical information
- Duration: minium two months (possibility for extension) within August – October.
- Location: University of Oslo, Department of Informatics
- Please specify your availability: we aim to coordinate all international team members to work simultaneously
- We will confirm final dates after reviewing applications.
Document requirements
- CV (maximum 2 pages)
- Motivational letter (maximum 1 page)
- Confirmation from sending university that you are full degree student at one Circle U. university when you apply.
- Confirmation from sending university the traineeship must be approved as part of your degree
- Transcript of records. You must have completed at least 60 ECTS credits before the traineeship starts.
- A traineeship Learning Agreement must be completed and signed by all parties
- You must have valid health insurance through the European Health Insurance Card or private insurance. You must also have travel insurance or other equivalent insurance with accident and liability insurance cover.
- The application deadline is 11 May for the autumn semester.
Funding
For questions related to funding, recognition and mobility, please contact your home university::
- Aarhus University: aarhus@circle-u.eu
- University of Belgrade: Nikola Savic nikola.savic@rect.bg.ac.rs
- Humboldt Universität zu Berlin: berlin@circle-u.eu
- King’s College London: Students are not eligible for Erasmus+ funding, but may have access to internal funding. Please check for funding opportunities or contact the Circle U. Team for more information: circle-u@kcl.ac.uk
- UCLouvain: infocircleu@uclouvain.be
- Université Paris Cité: circleu.iro@u-paris.fr and online at u-paris.fr
- University of Pisa: circleU.erasmus@unipi.it and on our website.
- University of Vienna: circle-u@univie.ac.at
Contact
- Omid Mirmotahari
omidmi@uio.no
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