W2- Professorship for Social scientific research on sport and physical activity spaces (fema-le/male/diverse) (2536-Prof-Bewegungsraum)
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.
The German Sport University Cologne is seeking to fill the following position at the earliest possible date:
W2- Professorship for Social scientific research on sport and physical activity spaces (female/male/diverse)
We are looking for an internationally renowned personality to represent the full spectrum of social science research and teaching in the field of sports and physical activity space at the German Sport University Cologne. Special expertise is expected in at least two of the following areas: Further development of research methodological approaches in the field of analysis of sports and physical activity spaces (1), analysis of requirements for the setting of physical spaces for sports and exercise activities (in regions with varying degrees of urbanity and rurality) with the aim of promoting health and social integration (2), analysis of transformation processes in sports and physical activity spaces (3), and interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary design of sustainable sports and physical activity spaces (4).
The tasks of the professorship include participation in 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 cooperative research. The professorship will likely be located at the Institute for Outdoor Sports and Environmental Science. Active participation in institutional and university-wide research activities is expected, as well as the successful acquisition, management, and execution of competitive externally funded projects.
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,
- Post-doctoral qualification (habilitation) or equivalent academic achievements.
Applicants are expected to have:
- Relevant international as well as thematically broad publication achievements in the field of the professorship
- Social science expertise in research on the development of sports and physical activity spaces that promote activity and health in at least two of the areas listed above
- Multi-method analytical skills in research on sports and physical activity spaces
- Expertise in the development of new approaches to promoting sports and physical activity behaviour, especially in settlement areas
- Experience in transferring scientific findings into practice
- Successful acquisition of, in particular, competitive third-party funding
- Experience with interdisciplinary and international research collaborations
- Positively evaluated and/or award-winning teaching
- Competencies in staff management and staff development
- Interdisciplinary connectivity to existing and developing research projects at GSU
- Willingness to collaborate with institutes at the German Sport University Cologne that are related to the field
- Collaboration in the establishment and further development of curricula and degree programmes in the field of the professorship
- Experience in academic self-administration.
Desirable are:
- Experience in the (further) development of study programmes and/or teaching formats
- English-language teaching skills
- Experience abroad in academic institutions.
The position entails a teaching obligation of 9 SWS.
International applicants are expected to be able to offer class instruction in German language within six semesters.
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 2536-Prof-Bewegungsraum by 11.01.2026 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.