Assistant and Associate Professors (UD/UHD) in active lifestyle and prevention

Job description

The UD and UHD appointed will strengthen collaborative efforts on (active) lifestyle and prevention from a broad and integrated perspective (including physical activity behaviour in context, lifestyle factors, underlying mechanisms, and "exercise as medicine") within the UMCG, and establish connections with healthcare, regional partners, as well as with technology and data partners. The work will comprise research and network related activities for approximately 70%, and educational tasks for approximately 30% of the time.

Research activities
The UD and UHD will drive innovative research in human movement sciences, focussing on physical activity, exercise and/or (active) lifestyle, which is well integrated within Department of Human Movement Sciences and other (clinical) departments of the UMCG. Successful applicants will develop and implement research in the context of extended health care settings (clinical, outpatient, transmural, and community) on one of two topics: 1) measurement, monitoring and evaluation of physical activity, exercise, and (active) lifestyle; or 2) strategies for promoting physical activity or exercise integration in care practices and/or active lifestyle for patients. Both topics are open for applications at UD and UHD level. Transdisciplinary collaboration is expected in both positions, while emphasizing the valuation of previous and future pursuits of external funding for UHD positions.

Network related activities
The UD and UHD will contribute to the formation of, and actively participate in, an expertise network which is currently being initiated in the UMCG to connect the domains of nutrition, physical activity, and mental health, as well as integrating perspectives of healthcare, research, and education. To enable coordinated and cross-cutting initiatives in lifestyle and prevention, staff will contribute to the strategic development and implementation of activities for building a robust and active network of experts within the UMCG and reaching beyond.

Education activities
The UD and UHD will contribute to educational developments aiming to enhance knowledge and skills of students in physical activity, exercise and/or (active) lifestyle and prevention across all internal bachelor and master programs of our medical faculty (human movement sciences, medicine, and dentistry) as well as professional training of health care professionals on related topics. Educational tasks may include development and teaching of courses and/or modules as well as student supervision.

Department of Human Movement Sciences, UMCG

The UD and UHD will be housed within the Department of Human Movement Sciences of the UMCG and the Faculty of Medical Sciences of the University of Groningen. The primary goal of the Department is to understand the mechanisms underlying human movement and human performance. It applies this knowledge to optimize movement and performance in healthy and clinical populations over the life span, focusing on healthy ageing. Research and education (bachelor and master degree programs, engaging 800+ students) of the department is organized along three lines Sport, Rehabilitation and Healthy Aging. Successful applicants will join the Healthy Aging line.
The Department consists of a team of competent, dedicated, and enthusiastic scientific staff , educational support staff, and a highly trained ‘Technical Support’ team maintaining and supporting the HMS research facilities. Each member of the scientific staff (full professors, associate professors and assistant professors) is appointed both as lecturer and active researcher. Approximately 35 PhD students are active within the Department.
The department of Human Movement Sciences includes lab facilities and support for research and education, conducted in the lab and/or the clinical setting of the UMCG hospital or community settings. The department's research falls under the SMART Movements program of the Health in Context research institute of the UMCG. Over the last decade, the research output, including high impact publications, grants, awards, successful PhDs, and societal impact of research has maintained a high international standard.
The UMCG is an equal opportunity and family-friendly employer, and values diversity of talents.

What do we need

There are two positions available, one at UD level and one at UHD, with an emphasis on innovative research focusing on physical activity, exercise and/or (active) lifestyle in extended health care settings. We are looking for the best combination of candidates to cover both topics indicated, i.e. looking for candidates with knowledge and skills of technologies and methodologies to assess physical exercise and (active) lifestyle aspects, such as wearables, nearables, questionnaires (topic 1) and/or knowledge and skills of implementation strategies for physical exercise and (active) lifestyle interventions (topic 2). We expect good analytical skills for relevant quantitative and/or qualitative data, and experience in setting up, implementing, and managing data collection and/or (lifestyle) interventions for various populations in clinical and/or community settings. Candidates are asked to specify their preferred focus area.

Qualifications for Assistant Professor (UD)

• PhD degree in human movement sciences, sport sciences, behavioral or health sciences, epidemiology, data sciences, implementation sciences or related disciplines.
• At least three-year post-doc experience, preferably in (international) academic environments other than where the PhD was obtained and/or an interdisciplinary setting.
• Good research record in their field demonstrated by:
• Original research, reviews, and/or research opinion papers in peer-reviewed academic journals.
• Preferably, experience with acquisition of external research funding and/or experience with (formal or informal) PhD student supervision.
• Other relevant research output (direct or indirect) demonstrating their contribution to the scientific field, such as methods, algorithms, and patent development.
• Societal impact as evidenced by other relevant output (direct or indirect) demonstrating their contribution to the public domain, such as (social) media presence, social contributions, policy documents and practice guidelines.
• Teaching qualification and/or experience in the area of human movement sciences, medicine or related discipline, including supervision of bachelor and/or master students and teaching basic courses at the bachelor and/or master level.
• Team player and demonstrable organizational qualities and communication skills.
• Language proficiency: Fluency in English, both written and spoken. Fluency in Dutch, both written and spoken, is considered an advantage, but should be reached within two years from appointment.

Qualifications for Associate Professor (UHD)
UHD candidates are expected to build their research area in connection to and in collaboration with departmental, institutional and international colleagues, and to pursue external funding for it. Furthermore, a contribution to the development of education, research and other activities creating possible impact on society is expected. The following criteria, in addition to the criteria listed above, are applicable to UHD candidates:

• Currently working at UD level, with a minimum of 5 years of experience in (international) academic environments and research collaboration since obtaining PhD certificate, preferably in interdisciplinary settings and/or various working environments.
• Demonstrated research leadership as evidenced by successful acquisition of external research funding, supervision of PhD students, and leading a research group on a related topic.
• Proof of independence and international recognition in the area of physical activity, exercise and lifestyle, preferably in (extended) health care settings.
• Teaching qualification and experience in various educational roles, also at an organizational level, e.g. as member or chair of a board of examiners or program committee, or as a coordinator of specific educational tracks.

What do we offer

Based on a full-time appointment, at the level of UD, the salary will be a maximum of € 7.232,- gross per month (scale 11 or 12) and at the level of UHD, the salary will be a maximum of € 7.816,- gross per month (scale 13). The exact salary will depend on applicant’s qualifications and relevant experience. In addition, the UMCG will offer you 8% holiday pay, and 8.3% end-of-year bonus. The conditions of employment comply with the Collective Labour Agreement for Medical Centres (CAO-UMC).

Please upload the following information in a single file (PDF):

• a letter of motivation, including specifications of application level (UD/UHD), and preference for and contract (80-100%);
• a curriculum vitae including e.g. outputs of research, teaching, and societal impact
• a complete list of publications, including the 5 “best papers” preferably with copies;
• a 2-page research statement of research accomplishments and future research focus and goals;
• a 1-page teaching statement;
• a list of three references with contact information (including e-mail address).

For questions about the position

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