The Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences at the University of Jyväskylä is currently seeking to recruit a candidate for the position of  

Assistant or Associate Professor (Tenure Track) in the field of Sport Pedagogy.  

The employment relationship will start on August 1, 2023 or as soon as possible thereafter. The position of Assistant Professor is fixed-term for three to five years and the position of Associate Professor is fixed-term for five years (according to the Tenure track model of the University of Jyväskylä).  

The Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences at the University of Jyväskylä is the only university-level unit for sport and physical education in Finland and for doctoral studies in the field. Developing pedagogical expertise and competence, as well as responding to culturally diverse skill requirements, are essential in the training of physical education teachers. The available position in the field of Sport Pedagogy will focus particularly on research and development of motivating and physically activating learning and movement environments in the context of school physical education. This corresponds to two of the University of Jyväskylä's research priorities: learning, teaching and interaction; and physical activity, health and wellbeing. 

Tasks and qualifications  

The Assistant or Associate Professor of Sport Pedagogy will be responsible for research and education and the development of the field in collaboration with other teachers and researchers in the faculty. The tasks will include acquisition of competitive research funding, management of research projects, and supervision of doctoral and graduate dissertations. In addition, the successful applicant will be expected to develop social interaction via national and international collaborative networks.  

The successful applicant is expected to have a doctoral degree in Sport Sciences or another relevant field, evidence of Sport Pedagogy -related research and international cooperation, and the ability to provide high quality research-based teaching and thesis supervision. At the Assistant Professor level, experience of supervising doctoral theses will be considered an advantage. At the Associate Professor level, experience of supervising doctoral theses is required. In the selection, we value evidence of research and development of motivating movement and learning environments, especially in the context of school physical education.  

For further information on the qualification requirements, please see:  General requirements for appointing assistant/associate professors and University of Jyväskylä Regulations and information on required language skills. Fluency in English is required in this position. The qualification requirements must be met before the end of the application period.   

Please note that candidates for the position of Assistant Professor must have completed a doctoral degree within the last nine years. Under special circumstances (e.g. maternity/paternity/parental or childcare leave, military service/non-military service, or long-term illness), the nine-year rule is extended accordingly.  

The University is committed to fairness, consistency and transparency in selection decisions, and abides by the recommendations for the responsible evaluation of a researcher in Finland.   

What we offer as an employer  

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. At the end of the fixed-term assignment, there will be an evaluation procedure to assess the employee's qualifications for promotion to the next level (associate/full professor).  

Our university also supports new Assistant/Associate Professors in forming a research group and implementing the research plan. New Tenure Track Assistant/Associate Professors can apply for Rector’s starting grant.

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. It includes, for example, 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. 

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.   

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 annual salary of an Assistant Professor is appr. 48.000-56.000 EUR and of an Associate Professor appr. 56.000-65.000 EUR (gross income, including holiday bonus), depending on the qualifications and experience of the candidate. A trial period of six months will be used at the beginning of the employment.  

How to apply  

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

1) A curriculum vitae (CV) composed according to the responsible conduct of research and, where possible, considering the template for a researcher’s curriculum vitae (see instructions by the Finnish National Board on Research Integrity TENK) 
2) A numbered list of all the scientific and other publications that the candidate wants to use to demonstrate eligibility and merits for the position. The list of publications must be drawn up according to the guidelines of the Academy of Finland.  
3) A short (2–3 pages) written account of the applicant’s scientific research, merits related to scientific activity and leading research, including the acquisition of supplementary funding and responsibilities in externally funded research projects  
4) A short (2–3 pages) written account of the applicant’s pedagogical training and teaching merits (teaching portfolio)  
5) A short (2–3 pages) written account of the applicant’s societal interaction and international cooperation  
6) Five (5) main publications related to the task  
7) A short (2–3 pages) description of how the applicant intends to promote research and education related to the field of the position  

Please submit your application by December 13^th 2022, at the latest, using the online application form.  

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

At the University of Jyväskylä, everyone can find their place in the human-centred environment of 2,600 experts and 14,700 students. Our goal is to create wisdom and wellbeing for us all. It is essential that each member of the community thrives and has opportunities to develop and grow. We cherish openness of thinking as well as the balance between research and education. Our naturally beautiful campus is located at the heart of the city of Jyväskylä. JYU is the third largest employer in Central Finland.  

Education and research in sport sciences in Finland are concentrated at the Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences of the University of Jyväskylä. There are two main lines of study at the Faculty: Sport Sciences and Health Sciences. Links between physical activity and health as well as promotion of exercise and health are viewed from a multidisciplinary perspective with the improvement of health, functional ability, and wellbeing across the human lifespan as the key aim.