The Research Unit for Musculoskeletal Function and Physiotherapy (FOF), which is part of the Center for Musculoskeletal and Joint Health (CMJH) at the Department of Sports Science and Clinical Biomechanics (IOB), invites applications for a 4-year position as assistant professor in Musculoskeletal Health or Sports Medicine to be filled as of 1 August 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter. 

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

The Position

The successful candidate must demonstrate a research output within research in musculoskeletal health and/or sports medicine and be motivated to be actively involved in achieving the research unit’s vision.  

The candidate will be expected to demonstrate successful management of research projects and be motivated to apply for funding for research projects within the scope of the unit. 

It will be expected that the candidate will start to develop his/her own research profile in synergy with the research unit’s and department’s strategies, and that the candidate is motivated in taking part in scientific, educational and departmental development. Further, it will be expected that the candidate is able to disseminate research-based knowledge internationally and nationally to relevant stakeholders. 

The successful candidate will be expected to teach and contribute to developing and managing courses at the Master of Science in Physiotherapy programme, to teach modules at other bachelor and master programmes offered by the Faculty of Health Sciences and to supervise undergraduate and co-supervise PhD students. 

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

Qualifications

Candidates with the following competencies will be prioritized:

• A PhD degree within a field relevant of the position

• Experience with epidemiological research

• Track record within musculoskeletal/sports medicine research

• Strong profile within research methodology (i.e. epidemiology, systematic reviews etc.)

• Competencies in knowledge exchange activities and public dissemination 

• International research collaborations

• Documented teaching experience at university level, and preferably also experience with supervision of students (i.e. BSc or MSc theses)

About us

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.

Contact and further information

For further information about the department and the position, please contact professor Jonas Thorlund, Head of Research Unit, tel.: +45 2912 5499, e-mail: jthorlund@health.sdu.dk or professor Jens Troelsen, Head of Department, tel.: +45 6550 3493, email: jtroelsen@health.sdu.dk.

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. 

Non-Danish-speaking applicants will be offered free language classes in the Danish Language.   

If you experience technical problems, please contact hcm-support@sdu.dk.  

Conditions of employment

Appointment as an assistant professor is temporary and for 4-year period.

During employment, the assistant professor will complete the Lecturer Training Programme. 

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 assistant 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. 

To qualify for the position as assistant professor you must have obtained a PhD degree by the employment date.

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)

• Documentation of relevant teaching experience

• Research plan, including an account of your own research and preferably a vision for future research

• A complete list of publications

• Up to 3 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 19 April 2026 at 11.59 PM/23.59 (CET/CEST)

The University of Southern Denmark wishes to reflect the surrounding community and therefore encourages everyone, regardless of personal background, to apply for the position.

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.