The research unit of Sport and Health Sciences, Department of Sports Science and Clinical Biomechanics, invites applications for a part-time position (20%) as associate professor in Sport for Fitness and Health in Children and Youth, starting 1 August 2026 (or as soon as possible thereafter) and ending 31 December 2029.
Job Description
At the Department of Sports Science and Clinical Biomechanics, we are developing evidence-based football and multisport programmes to promote physical activity and improve fitness levels, learning, wellbeing and health profile in children and youth.
The successful candidate will contribute actively to collaborative projects with schools, sports clubs and societal partners. Current and upcoming initiatives include the football-based programmes 11 for Health, 11 for the Planet, Football for Socially Deprived children and youth as well as the multisport programmes FIT FIRST 10, FIT FIRST 20, FIT FIRST Teen, FIT FIRST for the bones and FIT FIRST Youth (ongoing research projects).
Supervision and dissemination will be integral to the role, including smaller contributions to bachelor and master programmess in physical education, sports and health, primarily in team sport activities.
For information on associate professor positions at the Department of Sports Science and Clinical Biomechanics in general, please click.
Qualifications
We are seeking an ambitious and collaborative scholar with expertise in one or more of the following areas:
Evaluation of intensity, movement patterns and physical activity enjoyment during sports activities
Intervention studies with children and adolescents
Evaluation and development of evidence-based physical activity intervention programmes for health promotion
The role of physical activity in fitness, learning and well-being
Experience with laboratory and field-based test equipment as well as physical activity tracking devices
We expect
A PhD in a relevant field (e.g. exercise physiology, sports science, physical literacy)
Documented strong research experience in one or more of the focus areas listed above
Experience with small- and large-scale intervention studies and collaboration with practice partners (e.g. schools, sports clubs, municipalities)
Teaching and supervision experience and strong research communication skills
Strong communication skills and the ability to work in multi- and inter-disciplinary teams.
Proficiency in English is required. Danish language skills are recommended but not mandatory at the time of appointment and will be expected to be developed within a reasonable period.
We offer
A vibrant, multidisciplinary research environment in Sport and Health Sciences
Opportunities for national and international collaboration
Career development support, including mentorship and guidance on grant applications
A collegial workplace with a commitment to societal impact through research, innovation, communication and education
About us
The position will be based at the Sport and Health Sciences research unit. We are contributing to “boosting performance and improving public health” through our research, innovation and communication related three primary research areas, focusing on the use of team sports and multisport as a vehicle to increase physical activity, fitness, learning and wellbeing for children and youth (area 1), physical fitness and health profile for untrained individuals and patients across the lifespan (area 2) and performance, match fatigue, training and testing in elite sport for women and men (area 3).
The Department of Sports Science and Clinical Biomechanics adheres to SDU's strategy and values. Our department is 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. Find our strategy and values here .
Further Information and Contact
Non-Danish-speaking applicants will be offered free language classes in the Danish Language.
We recommend that as an international applicant, you take the time to visit Work in Denmark where you will find information and facts about moving to, working and living in Denmark, as well as the International Staff Office at SDU.
For further information about the position, please contact professor Peter Krustrup, Head of Research Unit, Tel: 2116 1530, e-mail: pkrustrup@health.sdu.dk or professor Jens Troelsen, Head of Department, Tel: 6550 3493, e-mail: jtroelsen@health.sdu.dk.
If you experience technical problems, please contact hcm-support@sdu.dk.
Conditions of Employment
Appointment to the position will be in accordance with the collective agreement between the Ministry of Finance and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations for academics in the state with the associated circular on the protocol for the job structure for academic staff at Danish universities and the provisions for associate professor as described herein. Please check links for more information on salary (only available in Danish) and taxation.
The person employed in the position may, based on a specific individual managerial assessment, be exempted from time registration, also known as a self-organiser.
The Assessment and Evaluation Process
Shortlisting may be used in the assessment process. Please note that only shortlisted applicants will receive an assessment. Read about shortlisting at SDU.
Applications will be assessed by an assessment committee and the shortlisted applicants will receive the part of the evaluation that concerns them. The committee may request additional information, and if so, it is the responsibility of the applicants to provide the necessary material.
Interviews and tests may be part of the overall evaluation.
The Application
Applicants are encouraged to read the information "How to apply" before applying.
Assessment of the candidates is based on the application material, and the application must include:
Motivated application
Curriculum vitae
Master’s degree and PhD degree or equivalent (copy of original + verified English translation)
Teaching portfolio and documented formalized pedagogical and didactic qualifications and skills
Research plan, including an account of your own research and preferably a vision for future research
A complete list of publications
Up to 6 of the most relevant publications. Please attach one pdf-file for each publication.
Reference letters/references may also be included
A statement of other qualifications relevant to the position.
The application and all appendices must be in English. We request files in pdf-format no more than 5 MB per file. All pdf-files must be unlocked and allow binding and may not be password protected.
Documents should not contain a CPR number (civil registration number) – in this case, the CPR number must be crossed out.
UPLOAD GUIDE: Motivated application shall be uploaded as ‘Cover letter’, Curriculum Vitae shall be uploaded as ‘Resume’. All other documents shall be uploaded as ‘Miscellaneous documents’.
If the application does not meet the requirements mentioned above, the faculty may reject your application without further notice. Applications received after the deadline will neither be considered nor evaluated.
The application deadline is 22 April 2026 at 11.59 PM/23.59 (CET/CEST)
About SDU
The University of Southern Denmark was established to create value for and with society. Whether our contributions come in the form of excellent research, innovative solutions, education or learning, we must make a positive difference to society and contribute to a sustainable future. We do this by cultivating talents and creating the best environments for research and learning. It is therefore crucial that SDU retains, develops and recruits talent. At the same time, we need to ensure consistently high quality in all our activities – and we can only do that with the right people. The University’s researchers, lecturers, students, managers and technical/administrative staff are the foundation of our success.
INFORMATIONER OM STILLINGEN:
- Arbejdspladsen ligger i:
Odense Kommune
-Virksomheden tilbyder:
dagarbejde
-Arbejdsgiver:
Syddansk Universitet, Campusvej, 5230 Odense M
-Ansøgning:
Ansøgningsfrist: 22-04-2026;
Se mere her: https://job.jobnet.dk/find-job/ab991478-09a3-4a99-917e-bb7afa90ba25
