W1 Junior Professorship Control and Coordination of Human Movement Across the Lifespan (with ten-ure track open rank W2/W3) (with tenure track to W2) (female/male/diverse)

With more than 6000 students from 93 countries, the German Sport University Cologne (GSU) is an outstanding university location both nationally and internationally. The GSU stands for proven research with a high volume of third-party funding and research-based as well as international teaching in sports practice and in all social and life science sub-disciplines of sport science. Research, teaching, and transfer are supported by the administration and central operating units with their services.

At the German Sport University Cologne, the Institute of Movement and Sport Gerontology is seeking to fill the following position at the earliest possible date:

W1 Junior Professorship Control and Coordination of Human Movement Across the Lifespan (with tenure track open rank W2/W3) (female/male/diverse)

The call for applications is aimed at outstanding young scientists in the early stages of their careers who are conducting research or have research interests in the field of control and coordination of human movement across the lifespan. We are looking for a proven personality who will work on this topic from the perspective of a relevant paradigm and (further) develop focal points that can be linked to research work at other institutes of the German Sport University. Extensive expertise in innovative quantitative analysis methods is expected.

The tasks of the professorship include participation in the Bachelor's, Master's, Teacher Training, and Doctoral programmes as well as in the academic self-administration of the university. The German Sport University Cologne pursues the goal of promoting (inter-)disciplinary and co-operative research. Accordingly, participation in joint research activities within the institute and the University as well as the successful acquisition and realisation of third-party funded projects are an integral part of the professorship's remit.

Requirements for employment pursuant to § 36 of the Higher Education Act of North Rhine-Westphalia are:

• Completed university studies
• Ph.D.
• Appropriate pedagogical/educational skills.

Applicants are expected to have:

• Relevant international publications covering a broad range of topics in the context of the professorship
• Expertise in implementing research on the control and coordination of human movement across the lifespan
• Expertise in innovative quantitative analytical methods
• Project experience in knowledge-driven (basic and applied research) and transfer-driven (practical research) scientific work
• Recognisable transfer of scientific findings into practice
• First successful acquisition of, in particular, competitive third-party funding
• Experience in multidisciplinary collaboration
• Positively evaluated and/or award-winning teaching
• Evidence of networking in the scientific and sporting system
• Willingness to collaborate with institutes at the German Sport University Cologne that are related to the field
• Interdisciplinary compatibility with existing and developing research projects at the GSU
• Competencies in staff management and staff development
• Experience in academic self-administration.

Desirable are:

• Experience in the (further) development of degree programmes and/or teaching formats
• English-language teaching skills
• Experience abroad in academic institutions.

International applicants are expected to be able to offer class instruction in German language within six semesters.

The position is to be filled on a temporary civil service basis for an initial period of three years. Following a positive interim evaluation, an extension for a further three years is envisaged. The position involves a teaching load of 4 SWS in the first phase and 5 SWS in the second phase.

The junior professorship is linked to a open rank tenure track for appointment to a permanent W2 or W3 professorship with a teaching load of currently 9 SWS, provided that an evaluation procedure determines that the performance requirements specified for the junior professorship have been met and the other requirements for appointment to a professorship are fulfilled.

The German Sport University Cologne sees itself as an open-minded employer that values diversity. It is committed to diversity and gender equality and welcomes applications that contribute to this – regardless of gender, nationality, ethnic and social origin, religion, disability, age, sexual orientation, and identity. Increasing the proportion of women in research and teaching is one of the university's strategic goals; qualified female academics are therefore expressly encouraged to apply. Women are given preferential consideration in accordance with the State Equality Act. Severely disabled persons and persons of equal status are very welcome and will be given preferential consideration within the framework of the statutory provisions.

The German Sport University Cologne offers an excellent academic environment, a wide range of professional development programmes, and support in balancing family and career.

Please send your application with the usual documents, in particular a description of your professional career, a list of publications, and a selection of important publications, quoting the reference number 2535-JP-Motorik by 04.01.2026 in the form of a pdf file exclusively to the e-mail address bewerbung@dshs-koeln.de.

Please also visit our homepage www.dshs-koeln.de. There, at www.dshs-koeln.de/datenschutz/, you will also find information on the handling of your personal data transmitted for the purpose of your application.