Professor or Associate Professor (tenure track), Health Sciences (specifically Sports and Exercise Medicine)

We are seeking to recruit a Professor or Associate Professor (tenure track) in Health Sciences to the Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences. The research and teaching of this position will focus on the links between physical activity and health, with an emphasis on various health challenges. The person appointed to this position will be responsible for the discipline of Sports and Exercise Medicine. The post will start on 1 April 2025 or as soon as possible thereafter and will be filled either on a permanent basis (Full Professor level) or for a five-year period (Associate Professor level) in accordance with the Tenure track model of the University of Jyväskylä.

Sports and Exercise Medicine studies the effects of exercise and the links between exercise and diseases, and hence concentrates on people's health and well-being. The aim is to increase knowledge about the effects of exercise in the prevention and treatment of diseases and injuries and to promote implementing this knowledge in practice. The benefits and adverse consequences of physical activity and sport will also be investigated. In the Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences, the education of Sports and Exercise Medicine focuses on the role of exercise in the prevention, treatment and rehabilitation of diseases and injuries, and on the administration and programming of safe and effective exercise for people living with a variety of diseases and injuries.

Tasks and qualifications

Professor/Associate Professor task in Health Sciences includes research and teaching in the field of Sports and Exercise Medicine and its development in collaboration with other teachers and researchers in the faculty. Duties include undergraduate and postgraduate education, acquisition of competitive research funding, management of research projects as well as supervision of doctoral and graduate dissertations/theses. The tasks also include the development of social interaction in the field and participation in national and international cooperation.

The Professor/Associate Professor will lead the discipline of Sports and Exercise Medicine in the faculty of Sport and Health Sciences and develop education and research in accordance with the faculty’s strategy. The person appointed to this position will be expected to utilize the research infrastructure provided by the faculty and the networks in the field and to provide research-based teaching. They is expected to further the educational cooperation with other disciplines of the faculty and with the discipline of Sports and Exercise Medicine in the School of Medicine at the University of Eastern Finland. They is also expected to develop and intensify cooperation with key partners, such as the Wellbeing Services County of Central Finland and Finnish Institute of High Performance Sport KIHU.

A successful candidate is expected to have a doctoral degree in Health Sciences, Medicine or Sport Sciences or another relevant field. In the Professor position proof of a high-level scientific competence in the field and success in acquiring research funding is required. In the Associate Professor position strong evidence of scientific research in the field is required. In addition, at both levels, candidate is expected to have a strong record of international cooperation, excellent skills to provide high-quality research-based teaching and experience in supervising doctoral theses. A degree in medicine or other practical experience in the field may be considered as an advantage for the applicant.

For further information on the qualification requirements and language skills of Professor and Associate Professor are stipulated by the University of Jyväskylä Regulations and language skills guidelines. Fluency in English is required in this position. Learn more about the JYU´s tenure track model.

What we offer as an employer

Starting grant

New Professors and Tenure Track Assistant/Associate Professors can apply for Rector’s starting grant that supports the effective start of research and research work.

Tenure track career path

We will support your career path success in compliance with the tenure track model: Tenure track at the University of Jyväskylä. If chosen to an Associate Professor position, there will be an evaluation procedure at the end of the fixed-term assignment to assess the employee's qualifications for promotion to the next level (Full professor).

The University is committed to fairness, consistency and transparency in selection decisions, and undertakes the recommendations for the responsible evaluation of a researcher in Finland and Dora Declaration. We appreciate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. In recruitment, we follow the Code of Conduct and Recommendations for the Recruitment of Researchers as defined in the European Charter for Researchers European Charter for Researchers.

A scientific community of wisdom and wellbeing

As a valued member of the University of Jyväskylä’s academic community, you will have excellent opportunities to contribute to international research. You will be part of our international and multidisciplinary community, in which everyone’s wellbeing is important. Our campus and its surroundings offer you optimal opportunities to maintain an active and healthy lifestyle.

We offer a wide range of staff benefits, such as occupational health care, flexible working hours, excellent sports facilities, and several restaurants and cafés on campus with staff discounts. Finland provides one of the most advanced and comprehensive social security in the world including e.g. sickness benefits, various family benefits and a comprehensive healthcare system. Please read more about working at the University of Jyväskylä, the City of Jyväskylä and living in Finland in our International Staff Guide.

Salary

The salary is based on the job demand level and the employee’s personal performance, in accordance with the salary system for Finnish universities. The job demand level is 7 in Associate Professor position and 8-11 in Professor position. A trial period of six months will be used at the beginning of the employment in the Associate Professor position.

How to apply

Please attach the following PDF documents to the online application in English: 

1. CV (Curriculum vitae), max 5 pages, written according to the Researcher´s curriculum vitae template of the Finnish National Board on Research Integrity. For research funding, please indicate the role and responsibilities in the application (e.g. lead applicant/work package leader/research team member), the amount awarded and the years of the project.
2. Motivation/cover letter (free-form, max. 1 page)
3. List of publications. A numbered list of all scientific and other publications in which the applicant wishes to demonstrate his/her competence and merit for the position. The list of publications must be written according to the guidance by the Academy of Finland.
4. Selected publications. Maximum of five (5) selected publications related to the task, numbered according to the list of publications (as a single pdf file or as a selected publications file with links to the selected publications).
5. Research plan (2-3 pages). In particular, a description of how the applicant intends to contribute to research and education in the field of the position. In addition, a brief description of the applicant's scientific research and achievements so far.
6. Teaching portfolio (2-3 pages). Description of applicant’s pedagogical training and teaching merits, please see the teaching portfolio guidance by the University of Jyväskylä.
7. Societal interaction (1 page). Description of the applicant's social interaction and national and international cooperation.

For further information about the position, please contact Professor, Dean Sarianna Sipilä: sarianna.sipila@jyu.fi, tel. +358408053593 and information about the recruitment process: HR Partner Kia Nabb: kia.e.nabb@jyu.fi, tel. +358408055123.