28/01/2026
Scholarship Opportunity
PhD Scholarship in Mathematics Education
Bahir Dar University in collaboration with Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU – Norway) invites interested applicants to apply for a PhD scholarship within the framework of the NORHED funded project on "Enhancing the Quality of Science and Mathematics Education in Ethiopia and South Sudan". The project aims to:
Enhance the quality and relevance of science and mathematics teacher education programs.
Develop the capacity of teacher educators, school teachers, and experts in addressing the problem of the quality of science and mathematics education.
Produce more and better research in the areas of science and mathematics education.
As part of developing the capacity of staff and students, there is a plan to recruit PhD candidates on competition basis from the southern partner universities to pursue their studies at Bahir Dar University. This call is inviting candidates from BDU for two PhD positions in Mathematics Education.
Focus area/direction of the PhD project
The PhD projects need to focus on one or a combination of issues pertaining to:
School mathematics teaching and learning practices
Mathematics teacher education and professional development
Students’ mathematics learning motivation, conceptual understanding, and associated factors
Gender and equity issues in mathematics education (teaching and learning)
Assessment, evaluation, and curricular issues in mathematics education
Enhancing meaningful learning in mathematics through innovative teaching (inquiry-based learning, constructivist approaches)
Use of technology in mathematics teaching (instruction)
Mathematics education and 21st century skills;
Contextualizing Mathematics teaching and learning in and for everyday life
The proposed project is preferred to endorse a mixed-methods and/or design-based research approach. The projects will be shaped with the collaboration between PhD students and supervisors.
Duties of the PhD Position
The main duties are: Complete obligatory coursework in the PhD program (19 credit hours course work).
Design activities and collect data through both qualitative and quantitative methods.
Collaborate with others, co-authoring research papers etc.
Disseminate project findings at international key education conferences.
Complete a PhD thesis, preferably based on referred articles published in the key journals. The successful candidate, as part of the PhD study, should write at least two research articles for well-established science education research journals.
Fulfill BDU’s requirments for earning the PhD
Application requirements, qualifications and experience:
• Applicants must have a strong academic background with at least two years of Master’s Degree studies from a recognized higher learning institution.
• The ideal candidate is preferably the one who has a master's degree in mathematics education; however, candidates with a master's degree in mathematics could also apply for this position. The latter group of candidates should show a good understanding of mathematics education literature/theories in the submitted research proposal.
• Applicants should explain their knowledge of the current Ethiopian general education system in general and primary and secondary mathematics education system or how they acquire such knowledge in the cover letter.
• Excellent English language skills (written and oral).
• Minimum of 2 years of teaching experience and conducting research in teacher education
• Any peer-reviewed publications will be considered a major advantage.
• Female candidates are encouraged to apply.
• Age limits: Not more than 45 years at the time of application
• Priority will be given to staff from Bahir Dar University
PhD Scholarship and study conditions:
• The successful candidate will have PhD scholarship for a period of four years which will cover full tuition fees and modest monthly supporting fee (6,000 Ethiopian Birr) for the four years of stay. Selected candidates will cover any expense the university demands if they stay beyond the four years of the study program.
• Selected candidates will have sufficient research budget for their doctoral research project
• BDU will not pay the salary of candidates.
• The selected candidate will be registered full-time at Bahir Dar University.
The application must include
• National Graduate Admission Test Certificate (Note that applicants MUST take the test and score passing result)
• A cover letter where the applicant describes the personal motivation, summarizing scientific work, and how the applicant sees her/his background suitable for the program.
• CV (summarizing education, positions, pedagogical experience, administrative experience and other qualifying activity etc.).
• Certificates, transcripts and diplomas for bachelor's and master's degrees.
• A copy of the master's thesis.
• a PhD research proposal of not more t
