Assistant Professors (3) Department Human Movement Sciences

Department University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG)
Work location Groningen
Apply no later than 21 November 2021
Working environment

The Department of Human Movement Sciences offers three positions for assistant professors.

1) Assistant professor Healthy Ageing
This position focusses on ageing over the entire life span, from active healthy aging to aging with age-related diseases, such as, osteoarthritis, frailty, stroke, and dementia. Main objectives for this position are to 1) develop fundamental and applied knowledge about the effect of ageing (over the life span) on human movement and human performance, and 2) provide high-level education to bachelor and master students in Human Movement Sciences and Sport Sciences, in biomedical or (neuro)behavioral courses and in supervision of students during their academic assignments, reviews, and bachelor- and master graduation projects.

Qualifications

• PhD degree in human movement sciences, biomedical engineering, neuro- behavioral- or health sciences.

• Research expertise in one or more of the scientific domains of ageing research e.g., neuroscience, biomechanics, motor control and coordination, (neuro) physiology, behavioral sciences, exercise and performance.

• Experience in setting up and executing laboratory and/or pre-clinical experiments with healthy and/or clinical populations relevant to ageing research.

• At least one-year post-doc experience.

• Good computational and analytical skills, e.g., in the area of neuro-mechanics, modelling, dynamical systems and/or data-science.

• Excellent programming skills, in MATLAB, Python and/or R-software.

• Demonstrated knowledge and skills regarding technologies such as, EEG, EMG, wearables, nearables, virtual reality, MRI or TMS.

• Teaching qualification and/or experience in the area of human movement sciences, including supervision of students at the bachelor and master level and teaching basic courses at the bachelor level.

• Good research record in the field of human movement sciences demonstrated by:

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

• Preferably, experience with acquisition of external research funding.

• Team player and demonstrable organizational qualities and communication skills.

• Fluency in English, both written and spoken.

• Being able to understand and speak Dutch within two years after appointment.

2) Assistant professor (Clinical) Human Movement Sciences
This position focusses on the development and evaluation of innovative diagnostics and treatment of patients with motor impairments. Main objectives for this position are to 1) develop fundamental and applied knowledge of the physiological, biomechanical, and neuromuscular mechanisms behind normal movement and motor impairments and translate this into interventions to enhance performance and functioning, and 2) provide high-level education to bachelor and master students in Human Movement Sciences and Sport Sciences, in biomedical courses and in supervision of students during their academic assignments, reviews, and bachelor- and master graduation projects.

Qualifications

• PhD degree in human movement sciences, biomedical engineering, neuro- behavioral- or health sciences.

• Research expertise in one or more of the scientific domains of human movement sciences e.g., biomechanics, motor control and coordination, exercise physiology, behavioral sciences, preferably with a focus on people with motor impairments.

• Experience in setting up and executing laboratory and/or (pre)-clinical experiments with healthy and clinical populations.

• At least one-year post-doc experience.

• Good computational and analytical skills, e.g., in the area of musculoskeletal modelling, dynamical systems or data-science.

• Excellent programming skills, in MATLAB, Python and/or R-software.

• Demonstrated knowledge and skills of technologies such as, 3D motion analysis, spirometry, EEG, EMG, wearables, nearables, virtual reality, MRI or TMS.

• Teaching qualification and/or experience in the area of human movement sciences, including supervision of students at the bachelor and master level and teaching basic courses at the bachelor level.

• Good research record in the field of human movement sciences demonstrated by:

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

• Preferably, experience with acquisition of external research funding.

• Team player and demonstrable organizational qualities and communication skills.

• Fluency in English, both written and spoken.

• Being able to understand and speak Dutch within two years after appointment.

3) Assistant professor Sport Sciences
This position focusses on performance optimization in talented and elite athletes in (team) sports. Main objectives for this position are to 1) develop fundamental and applied knowledge of the physiological, psychological, biomechanical and neuromuscular mechanisms of optimizing performance in sports, and to 2) provide high-level education to bachelor and master students in Sport Sciences and Human Movement Sciences, in biomedical and behavioral courses and in the supervision of students during their academic assignments, reviews, and bachelor- and master theses.

Qualifications

• PhD degree in human movement sciences, sport and exercise sciences, sport psychology, data science, neuro- behavioral- or health sciences.

• Research expertise in one or more of the scientific domains of sports e.g., physiology, psychology, neuroscience, biomechanics, motor control and coordination, behavioral sciences, exercise, and performance, by preference with a focus on performance optimization.

• Experience in setting up and executing laboratory and/or field experiments with (elite) athletes.

• At least one-year post-doc experience.

• Good computational and analytical skills.

• Good programming skills, e.g. in MATLAB, Python and/or R-software.

• Demonstrated knowledge and skills of technologies such as ergometers, wearables, video recording and GPS.

• Teaching qualification and/or experience in the area of sport sciences, including supervision of students at the bachelor and master level and teaching basic courses at the bachelor level.

• Good research record in the field of sport sciences demonstrated by:

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

• Preferably, experience with acquisition of external research funding.

• Team player and demonstrable organizational qualities and communication skills.

• Fluency in English, both written and spoken.

• Being able to understand and speak Dutch within two years after appointment.

Job description

The Department of Human Movement Sciences is a Department within the 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. This scientific knowledge is applied to optimize human movement and human performance in healthy and clinical populations through prevention and innovative treatment over the life span (healthy ageing).

Education
The Department offers the Bachelor’s degree program Human Movement Sciences, two 2-year Master’s degree programs, one in Human Movement Sciences (HMS) and one in Sports Sciences (SS) and a Minor program in Sport Sciences and Public Health at Bachelor level. Within the Master’s degree program in HMS, we offer two specializations: Rehabilitation and Healthy Ageing. Approximately 550 Bachelor’s, 150 Master’s and 50 Minor’s students, along with over 30 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 2020).

Staff and students
The Department consists of a team of competent, dedicated, and enthusiastic scientific staff (26) and educational support staff (7). In addition, a highly trained ‘Technical Support’ team (4) maintains and supports the HMS lab facilities, consisting of equipment, software, and laboratories. Currently, scientific staff consists of 4 full professors, 6 associate professors, and 16 assistant professors. All our scientific staff members are appointed as both lecturers and active researchers with a PhD degree. All scientific staff members devote 50% of their appointment to teaching, 40% to research, and 10% to administrative obligations. Education and research are inseparable; it ensures that the most recent scientific findings and views are taught in up-to-date teaching. The department’s vision on teaching and research follows the vision and ambitions of the UMCG and UG. 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. Healthy ageing, a top priority of the UMCG/UG, is an intrinsic part of our curricula. Our department aims to contribute to innovative solutions to the societal challenges that have arisen due to an ageing population. Academic assignments and research graduation projects take place within the UMCG but also in a broad range of locations outside the UMCG, such as sports organizations, schools, rehabilitation centers or nursing homes. Our students are very much appreciated for their theoretical knowledge and research skills. Within the Graduate School of Medical Sciences PhD program, the department runs a competitive master-PhD track providing opportunities for talented master students to complete a PhD (currently 3 PhD places per year).

Research
Research concentrates on the mechanisms of human movement and human performance. Beyond the enjoyment of sport and leisure-time physical activity, sufficient physical activity, sport, and exercise can also reduce the risks for cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, hypertension, musculoskeletal diseases, and psychological disorders. Regular physical activity can also improve school children’s academic performance and adults’ productivity at work. It can prevent secondary impairments in individuals with disability and improves their level of functioning. Moreover, it slows cognitive decline in old age. There is overwhelming evidence that daily physical activity, regular exercise, and taking part in sports play a preventive role in the evolution of chronic diseases and contributes to successful ageing and public health. It is therefore highly relevant to better understand the physiological, neural, biomechanical, and cognitive mechanisms of how children, adults, and older persons with and without disability acquire motor skills, control movement, improve physical fitness and daily function and adapt to increased or decreased levels of physical activity and exercise programs. Such an increased understanding of the relationship between human movement, functioning and health is highly relevant to healthy aging, as it is a prerequisite for effective interventions.

Research Institute
The research program of the Department of HMS (SMART) is part of the Research Institute SHARE. Research output, in the form of Q1 publications, received grants, awards, PhD promotions, and societal impact of research like invited lectures, debates, media and newspaper attention, have all strongly increased over the last 10 years and are expected to stay at an high international high. The Department is linked to the Aletta Jacobs School of Public Health, a joint initiative of the UMCG, UG and the Hanze University of Applied Sciences ‘to actively convey knowledge and expertise through education, consultancy and integral collaborations’.

What do we offer

You will be offered a fulltime fixed appointment on the condition of a positive evaluation at the end of the first year of employment. Your salary will be a maximum of € 5.383,- gross per month (scale 11) based on a full-time appointment. 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).

For additional information, you can contact:

• Prof. dr. Koen A.P.M. Lemmink, Head of Department Human Movement Sciences, [email protected]

Please do not use the e-mail address above for applications.

Application
You may send in your application no later than 21 November 2021. Please upload the following information in 3 documents:
1) cover letter;
2) curriculum vitae, including a complete list of publications;
3) one document including:

• the position that you apply for (more than 1 is possible);

• a research statement of research accomplishments and future research goals;

• a teaching statement;

• a list of three references with contact information (including e-mail addresses).

You will be noticed of the outcome of the selection procedure no later than Monday 29 November 2021. Interviews will take place on 7 December (9-13 hrs.), 9 December (9-13 hrs.) or 13 December 9-17 hrs.).
Applications with missing credentials will not be taken into consideration. Unsolicited marketing is not appreciated.