Professor in Physical Activity-based prevention and Implementation, MVH, IR at SDU Career Site

Odense, Region of Southern Denmark, Denmark -

Full Time

Start Date

Immediate

Expiry Date

12 Jul, 26

Salary

0.0

Posted On

13 Apr, 26

Experience

10 year(s) or above

Remote Job

Yes

Telecommute

Yes

Sponsor Visa

Skills

Research leadership, Implementation science, Physical activity intervention, Chronic disease management, Clinical research, Grant writing, Mixed methods research, Evidence synthesis, Systematic reviews, Stakeholder management, Mentoring, Academic teaching, Public health, Rehabilitation, Data analysis

Industry

Higher Education

Description

Professor in Physical Activity-based prevention and Implementation (combined position) The Department of Regional Health Research [https://www.sdu.dk/en/om-sdu/institutter-centre/irs-regional-sundhedsforskning] (IRS), University of Southern Denmark [https://www.sdu.dk/en/om-sdu/institutter-centre/irs-regional-sundhedsforskning] (SDU; 20%), and the Research and Implementation Unit PROgrez, Central and West Zealand Hospital [https://www.mvhospital.dk/] (80%), invite applications for a for a full‑time, five‑year position as Professor in Physical Activity-based prevention and Implementation, to be filled as soon as possible. The professorship is expected to strengthen the person-centered, practice-oriented, and real-world research profile at Central- and West Zealand Hospital and IRS by advancing research on physical activity and preventive interventions for people living with chronic disease. A central element of the position is research development, leadership, and implementation of clinically relevant, cross-disciplinary and -sectoral research programs, conducted in close collaboration with key stakeholders outside academia, including healthcare providers at hospitals, municipalities, general practice, policy actors, and civil society, ensuring strong real-world relevance and sustainability. Main tasks and responsibilities The professor’s main tasks will be to secure funding, manage, lead, and report clinically relevant and practice-based research projects and research programs, focusing on physical activity-based preventive interventions in chronic disease, with particular emphasis on coherent patient pathways, long-term maintenance of health-related behaviors, and new flexible preventive models in real-world healthcare settings. These activities are expected to be carried out in close and sustained collaboration with cross-disciplinary and -sectoral stakeholders outside academia, ensuring that research addresses concrete needs in healthcare practice and supports implementation and uptake across sectors As part of the professorship, the successful candidate will take up the position as Head of two groups within the Research and Implementation Unit PROgrez: * Physical Activity – Delivery, Participation, and Maintenance * Implementation and Evaluation Group, involving both researchers and implementation consultants. The professor will be expected to: * Lead, develop and supervisor externally funded research programs focusing on physical activity-based prevention and real-world implementation * Conduct and supervise research using real-world cohort designs, pragmatic randomized controlled trials, evidence synthesis and mixed methods approaches * Strengthen and sustain cross-sectoral collaboration between hospitals, general practice, municipalities, education, and civil society * Strengthen and expand collaboration with relevant international research environments * Support and contribute to the translation of research-based knowledge into clinical practice, healthcare organization, and society * Engage in national and international professional networks and steering committees * Supervise and examine students at Master’s, PhD, and postdoctoral levels * Mentor junior researchers and clinicians and contribute to capacity building * Contribute to the development and support of the research strategies of PROgrez, Central- and West Zealand Hospital, and the IRS SDU Qualifications Applicants, who must be fluent in Danish, must document that they: * Hold a PhD degree and are qualified for appointment as professor according to Danish university regulations * Hold a position as a recognized Associate Professor or have equivalent qualifications relevant to clinical and practice-based health research * Have a strong and documented research profile within physical activity, prevention, non-pharmacological interventions, implementation, rehabilitation, or maintenance of health-related behaviors * Demonstrate strong methodological competencies in quantitative or mixed-methods research and evidence synthesis e.g. systematic reviews * Show strong interest in communication and translation of evidence into clinical practice and society * Have documented experience with patient and public involvement * Published in well-established international peer-reviewed research journals * Demonstrate the ability to attract external research funding and international collaborators * Have documented experience in establishing, leading, and sustaining long-term, practice-oriented research collaborations with a strong network of stakeholders outside of academia Research environment The professor will be affiliated with the Research and Implementation Unit PROgrez and will contribute to strengthening SDU’s and PROgrez and Central- and West Zealand Hospital’s research profile within practice-oriented, cross-sectoral, and socially responsible health research. Application deadline May 3, 2026, at 23.59 hrs. (CET) Location: Slagelse Further Information: More information about the professorship can be obtained by contacting: * Research director, Head of PROgrez and Professor at SDU, Søren T. Skou, stskou@health.sdu.dk [stskou@health.sdu.dk] / 23708640, * Professor & Head of Department at IRS SDU, Jakob Grauslund, jgrauslund@health.sdu.dk [jgrauslund@health.sdu.dk] / 21271877. Application Applications must be submitted electronically using the link “Apply now” - see below. We strongly recommend that you read How to apply for a position at SDU [https://www.sdu.dk/en/om-sdu/job-sdu/soegjob] before you apply. Only applications written in English will be accepted for evaluation. The application must include (as PDF files) (please note that the application (the motivation letter) and CV must not exceed 10 MB in total): * a motivation letter * a detailed CV * degree certificates (inclusive of Ph.D.-diploma) * a complete and numbered list of publications * 10 scientific peer-reviewed publications considered by the candidate as most important for this position. Please note that a copy of each publication must be attached as a pdf file. * It is permitted to merge copies of the selected publications into a single PDF file. * a teaching portfolio [https://www.sdu.dk/en/om_sdu/fakulteterne/sundhedsvidenskab/jobs/portfolio] detailing the candidate’s prior teaching experience, teaching skills, and teaching philosophy * A track record of obtained research funding * Documentation of national and international research collaboration * Research plan outlining future research activities For technical issues, please contact: hcm-support@sdu.dk [hcm-support@sdu.dk] Applications received after the deadline and/or incomplete applications will not be considered. Assessment Shortlisting may be used as part of the initial selection process. Assessment of shortlisted applications will be done under the existing Appointment Order for universities. Shortlisted applications will be assessed by an assessment committee. The committee may request additional information, and, if so, it is the responsibility of the applicant to provide the necessary material. When the assessment committee has submitted its report, the applicants will receive part of the evaluation that concerns themselves. References will be obtained for the preferred candidate from their current and previous employers. Applicants invited for interview should expect to complete a work-related personality assessment. Salary and terms of employment The successful applicant for the professor position will be employed in accordance with the agreement between the Ministry of Finance and AC (the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations). Living and working in Denmark Foreign applicants will be offered Danish language training [https://sdunet.dk/en/servicesider/hr/kompetenceudvikling/sprog/laer_dansk/danskkurser] as part of the employment. The International Staff Office [https://www.sdu.dk/en/om-sdu/job-sdu/international-staff] (ISO) at SDU provides a variety of services for new employees, guests and people who consider applying for a job at the University of Southern Denmark. The University wishes our staff to reflect the diversity of society and thus welcomes applications from all qualified candidates regardless of personal background.

Responsibilities

The professor will lead and manage clinically relevant research programs focusing on physical activity-based prevention for chronic diseases. They are responsible for securing external funding, supervising junior researchers, and fostering cross-sectoral collaborations to ensure research implementation in real-world healthcare settings.