Associate Professor in Childhood Health

The Research unit Exercise Epidemiology, Department of Sports Science and Clinical Biomechanics, invites applications for a position as associate professor in Childhood Health to be filled as of June 1, 2025, (or as soon as possible thereafter) and until May 31, 2028. 

The position includes research, teaching and supervision at all levels as well as research dissemination.

The duties of the associate professor include research, education, administrative and management tasks.

The Department of Sports Science and Clinical Biomechanics has a strong background in sports and health science with one focus being on the health of young people. The associate professor position will be based at the Research Unit for Exercise Epidemiology. 

Expectations of qualifications

The applicant will be expected to demonstrate a well-founded research background in the field of health sciences, with an emphasis on quantitative research methodologies. It will be expected that the applicant has experience with designing and conducting observational and experimental studies within these fields. Relevant research experience in child and adolescence populations will be considered as a priority. 

Besides developing an independently tailored research profile aligned with the department’s strategy, the candidate will be also expected to take part in ongoing research projects funded by external grants, including pragmatic trials, efficacy trials, and prospective cohort studies within the research unit. Also, it is expected that the candidate will engage in applications for external funding, often in collaboration with other research partners, research units and/or departments. 

The candidate will be expected to innovatively disseminate research-based knowledge internationally and nationally to relevant stakeholders as well as take leadership in scientific, educational, and departmental development.

The position is primarily focused on research but also involves lecturing classes at the bachelor, master and PhD levels offered at the Faculty of Health Sciences, develop and manage courses, and supervise undergraduate and PhD students. 

Applicants must show documented teaching and supervising experience at all graduate levels. 

The applicants must have a PhD degree and be able to show documented research work (i.e. peer-reviewed papers, conference presentations) that complies with the research profile described above and good communication skills for scientific and non-scientific audience. 

Administrative and other skills that are relevant to subject specialization and the tasks of the position will be expected. 

For information on associate professor positions at the Department of Sports Science and Clinical Biomechanics in general, please click.

Qualifications

We are looking for candidates with the following qualifications:

• A PhD degree within health sciences 
• Research experience related to the area of health sciences, with an emphasis on quantitative research methodologies, documented by research output in peer-reviewed scientific journals
• Experience with successful project management of research activities
• Experience in external funding application processes
• Documented record of teaching and supervision experience at all levels relevant for the department’s portfolio of study programs as well as formalized pedagogical and didactic qualifications and skills
• Competencies to engage innovatively in knowledge exchange and collaborations with and for society (e.g. with external partners and stakeholders)

 About us

The Department of Sports Science and Clinical Biomechanics adheres to SDU's strategy and values, see https://www.sdu.dk/Flexpaper/aspnet/pdf/iob-strategi_uk.pdf    We are recognized for our interdisciplinary research. The scientific, technical and administrative staff support this through active participation in the department's professional and social life. We prefer candidates with the ambition to make mutual working relationships thrive. 

Further information and contact 

 Non-Danish-speaking applicants will be expected to have and show an interest in learning the Danish language at a level which enables her/him to read Danish mails and administrative documents as well as understand spoken everyday Danish. The department offers free language classes and a reduction in workload to support non-Danish speaking employees.  

 For further information, please contact Professor Anders Grøntved, Head of Research Unit, telephone +45 6550 4465, e-mail [email protected] or Professor Jens Troelsen, Head of Department, telephone +45 6550 3493, email [email protected].

Application deadline

March 16, 2025, at 23.59 hrs. (CET).

Salary and terms of employment

The applicant will be employed in accordance with the agreement between the Ministry of Finance and AC  (the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations).

Application

Applications must be submitted electronically using the link “Apply now” - see below.

We strongly recommend that you read How to apply for a position at SDU before you apply.

Only applications written in English will be accepted for evaluation.

The application must include (as PDF files) (please note that the application (the motivation letter) and CV must not exceed 10 MB in total):

• an application letter
• a detailed CV 
• degree certificates (inclusive of Ph.D.-diploma) 
• a complete and numbered list of publications 
• 5-7 scientific peer-reviewed publications considered by the applicant to be most important for this position. 
• a teaching portfolio detailing the candidate’s prior teaching experience, teaching skills, and teaching philosophy 
• a research plan detailing the candidate’s ideas and plans for her/his future research work. 

If you experience technical problems, you must contact [email protected].

Please note that all the above-mentioned information must be included in the application. 

Incomplete applications will not be assessed.

Applications may be shortlisted.

Living and working in Denmark

Foreign applicants will be offered Danish language training as part of the employment. 

The International Staff Office (ISO) at SDU provides a variety of services for new employees, guests and people who consider applying for a job at the University of Southern Denmark. 

The University wishes our staff to reflect the diversity of society and thus welcomes applications from all qualified candidates regardless of personal background.