Assistant professor Sports and Motor Development

The position of Assistant Professor in Sports and Motor Development focuses on understanding how motor skills and movement patterns develop in childhood and across the lifespan. The research connects fundamental insights into motor development and motor learning with applications in everyday movement, exercise, training, and (elite)sports.
Teaching activities will consist of courses and lectures in methodology/mathematics/statistics, motor development and/or the minor Sport Sciences, next to supervising bachelor and master students in graduation projects, reviews, and academic assignments. The UMCG is an equal opportunity and family-friendly employer, and values diversity of talents.

The assistant professor (UD) Sports and Motor Development will be housed within the Department of Human Movement Sciences of the University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG) and the Faculty of Medical Sciences of the University of Groningen (UG). The main goal of the Department is to develop knowledge about the mechanisms of human movement and human performance and to apply this scientific knowledge to optimize human movement and human performance in healthy and clinical populations over the life span (More Healthy Years).

Education
The Department offers the bachelor’s degree program Human Movement Sciences, a 1-year master ‘Sport- en Bewegingswetenschappen’ (starting in September 2027) and Minor programs in Sport Sciences and Public Health. Moreover, the department takes part in a 2-year Interdisciplinary research master in Health Dynamics. Approximately 800 students, along with over 35 PhD students, form the heart of the ‘learning’ community in a stimulating academic, clinical and social environment. Our programs are ranked the best in their field over the past years and students are very satisfied with the learning facilities of our Department (National Student Survey 2024).

Staff and students
The Department consists of a team of competent, dedicated, and enthusiastic scientific staff and educational support staff. In addition, a highly trained ‘Technical Support’ team maintains and supports the HMS lab facilities, consisting of equipment, software, and laboratories. Each member of the scientific staff (full professors, associate professors, and assistant professors) is appointed both as lecturer and researcher. All scientific staff members devote 50% of their appointment to teaching, 40% to research, and 10% to management. Education and research are inseparable; it ensures that the most recent scientific findings and views are taught in up-to-date teaching. As an academic community, we attempt to establish strong links between research and teaching and between staff and students. Our students are educated as ‘active learners’ to stimulate commitment and responsibility.

Research
Research and education of the department is organized along three ‘Field of application’-sections: Sports, Clinical Movement Sciences and Active Life Style & Healthy Aging. The successful applicant will join the Sports section. Research is conducted in the lab and/or the clinical setting of the UMCG or community settings in the fields of application. The department's research falls within the SMART Movements program of the Health in Context research institute of the UMCG. Over the last decade, research output, including high impact publications, grants, awards, successful PhDs, and societal impact of research has maintained a high international standard.

• PhD degree in human movement sciences, sports, exercise sciences, sport psychology or comparable scientific domains.
• Research expertise in one or more of the scientific domains of sports and human movement with a specific focus on motor development.
• At least two-year post-doc experience.
• Good statistical, computational, and analytical skills.
• Teaching qualification and/or experience in teaching in the domain of sport and human movement sciences, including supervision of students at the bachelor and master level and teaching courses at bachelor and/or master level.
• Appropiate research record in one or more of the scientific domains of sports and human movement with a focus on motor development demonstrated by:

Original research papers in peer-reviewed academic journals
Other research output in terms of methods, algorithms, social contributions
Post-doctoral experience, in (international) academic environments other than where the PhD was obtained.

• Demonstrated ability to collaborate with external stakeholders, such as sports organizations, health institutions, policymakers, and industry partners, to translate research into practice in areas such as interventions, training, policy, and advisory roles.
• Preferably, experience with acquisition of external research funding.
• 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, or should be reached within one year from appointment.

The UD position (0.8 - 1.0fte) is a permanent position. Expected starting date at the latest February 1st, 2026. Based on a full-time appointment, at the level of UD, the salary will be a maximum of € 6.825,- gross per month (UD2, scale 11). The exact salary will depend on the 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).

How to apply
Please use the the digital application form at the bottom of this page - only these will be processed.
You can apply until 18 November 2026.
Within half an hour after sending the digital application form you will receive an email- confirmation with further information.

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

• a letter of motivation.
• 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 addresses).

Applications with missing credentials will not be taken into consideration. Unsolicited marketing is not appreciated.