Professor of Sport Science

Ref no: ORU 2.1.1-01160/2025

We are looking for a professor in Sport Science for a permanent position at the School of Health Sciences, Sports Division.

Subject area

The subject area for this position is Sports Science, specializing in Sports Didactics, focusing on teaching, learning, and assessment in the school subject of Physical Education and Health as well as in Higher Education.

Background

Örebro University is in an expansive phase regarding both education and research, and the university has a long tradition of education and research in the field of Sports Science. At the School of Health Sciences, within the Division of Sport Science, the following programs are currently offered: the Physical Education Teacher Education, the Sports Science and Coaching Programme, the Sport Management Program, and the Master's Programme in Sports Physiology and Medicine. We have been offering doctoral education in Sports Science since 2001 and currently have six doctoral students enrolled.

The university is seeking a candidate who will contribute to the further development of our teacher education programs and drive forward the research within the subject area of Physical Education.

Duties and responsibilities

As a professor, you will normally spend a large part of your working hours on research. Your duties and responsibilities include working actively to bring in external research grants to the subject, take overall responsibility for the development of its research activities, and monitor its development internationally. As a professor, you are expected to engage in education at all three levels and to communicate and collaborate around your own and the subject’s research activities. You are moreover expected to make yourself available for management and administrative assignments at the university.

Your duties and responsibilities will be to: 

• play a central part in research and dissemination of research results both to academic environments and society in general
• be a driving force for developing major research projects and applications for external funding together with colleagues in the academic community
• take the initiative and further develop research collaboration with national and international partners
• play a central role in the work of further developing the academic environment and the department's educations
• teach and supervise at bachelor, advanced and Ph.D. level, and follow up students in practice
• actively contribute to the development of the department and university as a whole
• be in contact with the professional field
• initiate and carry out your own research and development work academic-administrative tasks.

Qualifications

A person who has demonstrated both research and teaching expertise is qualified for employment as a professor. For this position, we are specifically looking for the following requirements:

• professorial competence in Physical Education
• experience with national and international research networks
• experience in managing projects with external funding,
• documented results of obtaining external research funding 
• experience in academic leadership
• good oral and written communication skills in Swedish and English.

A general eligibility criterion for permanent teaching positions at Örebro University is that the applicant has completed courses on teaching and learning in higher education corresponding to ten weeks. Knowledge and skills equivalent to such courses may also be assessed to establish whether these provide eligibility. This assessment will be made by Örebro University. A professor who on appointment lacks training in teaching and learning in higher education or equivalent expertise undertakes to complete the requisite training course(s) within two years of their appointment. Appointment as a professor also requires the candidate to have completed training in supervising doctoral students.

Assessment criteria

When appointing a professor, equal care shall be taken in assessing teaching expertise as research expertise. The assessment is also to consider the applicant’s qualifications and experience from collaboration with the wider community, of which the university is a part, as well as national and international experience and mobility. Teachers are to have the ability to communicate and disseminate information, collaborate and engage with the wider community, and facilitate utilisation of the university’s research. In addition, the applicant’s suitability for the position will be assessed. Suitability refers to the applicant demonstrating the personal qualities required to successfully perform the duties and responsibilities at hand, and the ability to contribute to the development of the operations. Specifically, the ability to communicate and collaborate well with students, colleagues and other members of staff is of importance.

Research expertise

Research expertise is assessed based on applicants’ national and international standing and recognition in the research community. Research expertise is demonstrated through independent research initiatives that significantly exceed the requirements for appointment as docent. Further evidence of recognition is provided by the ability to lead and develop research. It is required that an applicant has been principal supervisor to at least two doctoral students who have successfully defended their theses. Research expertise also encompasses being/having been the principal researcher of projects with funding awarded in competition and appointments to positions of trust in academia.

The applicant must document extensive research and development work relevant to the position at a high level, with emphasis on the scientific production from the last six years. The applicant should conduct research in Physical Education pedagogy, and, through their publications, demonstrate in-depth knowledge of health, equality, and various perspectives on learning in the subject of physical education and health. The candidate is also expected to have experience with research collaboration both nationally and internationally.

Teaching expertise

When defining teaching expertise at Örebro University, three categories are used: teaching approach, how the teaching approach is put into practice, and professional development as a teacher. The applicant’s teaching qualifications are therefore to be documented accordingly and in compliance with Örebro University’s template for teaching portfolios, relating clearly to the values set out in Örebro University’s educational philosophy.

The assessment of applicant’s teaching expertise is based on the breadth and scope of various forms of working and teaching at the bachelor’s, master’s and/or doctoral levels, including experience of individual supervision at various levels, in addition to doctoral supervision.

In addition, the applicant’s ability to develop, plan, implement and evaluate teaching and examination formats is assessed, as is their ability to contribute to the pedagogical development of teaching, such as preparing teaching material, learning aids and/or governance documents for teaching. Teaching expertise is further demonstrated through the ability to draw on research in teaching and contribute to a scientific approach. The applicant must document practical-pedagogical competence on the basis of education, including teaching and guidance.

The candidate should have a good knowledge of the Swedish curriculum and the school subject physical education and health, as well as experience in teaching in Swedish physical education teacher education.

Collaboration and public engagement skills

The applicant’s collaborative skills will be assessed in terms of the breadth and scope of the cooperation and/or collaboration undertaken, internationally as well as nationally, within academia and with the wider community.

Leadership skills

The applicant’s leadership and administrative skills will be assessed in terms of the scope and breadth of their qualifications and experience from leadership roles and/or academic assignments within education and research. Experience in academic leadership will be emphasized.

Other assessment criteria

Good oral and written communication skills in Swedish and English are required.

Information

This is a permanent full-time position. At Örebro University, salary depends on the successful candidate’s qualifications and experience.

For more information about the position, contact the Head of School Elisabet Welin, +46 19 303293, email: Elisabet.Welin@oru.se.

At Örebro University, we expect each member of staff to be open to development and change, take responsibility for their work and performance, demonstrate a keen interest in collaboration and contribute to development, as well as to show respect for others by adopting a constructive and professional approach.

Örebro University actively pursues equal opportunities and gender equality as well as a work environment characterised by openness, trust and respect. We value the qualities that diversity adds to our operations.

Application

Apply for the position via Örebro University’s website. Click the button “Apply” to begin the application procedure.

For the application to be complete, the following electronic documents must be included:

• Covering letter, outlining how you believe you can contribute to the continued development of Örebro University
• CV with a relevant description of your overall qualifications and experience
• Teaching portfolio (as instructed in Örebro University's guidelines)
• Research portfolio
• Publication list
• Relevant scientific publications (maximum of 10 and in full-text format)
• Copies of relevant course/degree certificates and references verifying eligibility and criteria met

Only documents written in Swedish, English, Norwegian or Danish can be reviewed.
More information for applicants will be found on our career site:  https://www.oru.se/english/career/available-positions/applicants-and-external-experts/

The application deadline is April 28, 2025. We look forward to receiving your application!

After the application deadline, no supplements can be made electronically. If you have scientific publications that cannot be attached electronically to the application, you will, once the external experts have been appointed, receive instructions on how the missing publications can be submitted.

As we have already made our choices in terms of external collaboration partners and marketing efforts for this recruitment process, we decline any contact with recruitment agencies and advertisers.

As directed by the National Archives of Sweden (Riksarkivet), we are required to deposit one file copy of the application documents, excluding publications, for a period of two years after the appointment decision has gained legal force.