Associate Professor in International Implementation of Musculoskeletal Treatment Programmes (Part-Time)

Syddansk Universitet (University of Southern Denmark - SDU); Odense; Hybrid; DKK 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Southern Denmark (SDU) in Odense invites applications for a fixed-term associate professor position focused on the international implementation of musculoskeletal treatment programmes (GLA:D). The role runs at 20% FTE from 1 February 2027 to 31 January 2030 and involves leading deployment, funding, and cross-national data sharing.

The successful candidate will advance the GLA:D network, engage in teaching and supervision, and contribute to the department's strategic research

Qualifications

• PhD in a field relevant to the position.
• Research output in musculoskeletal and implementation research in peer-reviewed journals.
• Experience with external funding (e.g., as co-applicant).
• Experience as programme lead and strong interest in the GLA:D programme, preferably as national program lead.
• Record of teaching and supervision with pedagogical/didactic qualifications.

Responsibilities

• Lead the international implementation of the GLA:D programme.
• Seek funding to develop GLA:D courses for clinicians and treatment programmes for patients.
• Enable data sharing and research across national GLA:D programmes.
• Advance the research unit’s vision and contribute to its strategic goals.

Skills

GLA:D knowledge

Implementation research

Funding experience

Teaching experience

Program lead

Education

PhD degree

Job description

The Research Unit for Musculoskeletal Function and Physiotherapy (FOF), which is part of the Center for Musculoskeletal and Joint Health at the Department of Sports Science and Clinical Biomechanics, invites applications for a fixed-term position as associate professor in international implementation of musculoskeletal treatment programmes (20% position) to be filled in the period 1 February 2027 to 31 January 2030.

The Position

The primary responsibility of the successful candidate will be to lead the international implementation of the Good Life with Osteoarthritis from Denmark (GLA:D®) programme.

Further, the candidate is expected to seek funding to further develop the GLA:D® courses for clinicians, the GLA:D® treatment programmes for patients and to enable data sharing and research across the currently more than 10 GLA:D® national programmes.

The successful candidate will be expected to play an active role in advancing the research unit’s vision.

Qualifications

Candidates with the following competencies will be prioritized:

• A PhD degree within a field relevant for the position
• Research experience related to the area of musculoskeletal and implementation research documented by a sustained and sizable research output in national and international peer-reviewed journals
• Experience and success with external funding (e.g. as co-applicant)
• Experience as programme lead as well as experience with and deep interest in the GLA:D programme, preferably as national program lead
• Documented record of teaching and supervision at all levels as well as formalized pedagogical and didactic qualification skills

Further information and contact

The position is based at SDU, however, flexible working arrangements, including a degree of remote work, may be considered by agreement with the successful candidate.

We recommend that as an international applicant, you take the time to visit Work in Denmark where you will find information and facts about moving to, working and living in Denmark, as well as the International Staff Office at SDU.

Further information can be obtained from Professor Ewa Roos, Head of GLA:D International Network, tel. [phone], e-mail: [e-mail], Professor Jonas Thorlund, Head of Research Unit for Musculoskeletal Function and Physiotherapy, tel. [phone], e-mail: [e-mail] or Professor Jens Troelsen, Head of Department, tel. [phone], e-mail: [e-mail].

If you experience technical problems, please contact [e-mail].

Conditions of employment

This appointment as an associate professor is temporary.

Appointment to the position will be in accordance with the collective agreement between the Ministry of Finance and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations for academics in the state with the associated circular on the protocol for the job structure for academic staff at Danish universities and the provisions for associate professor as described herein. Please check links for more information on salary (only available in Danish) and taxation.

The person employed in the position may, based on a specific individual managerial assessment, be exempted from time registration, also known as a self-organiser.

The assessment and evaluation process

Shortlisting may be used in the assessment process. Please note that only shortlisted applicants will receive an assessment. Read about shortlisting at SDU.

(Shorlisted) applications will be assessed by an assessment committee and the shortlisted applicants will receive the part of the evaluation that concerns them. The committee may request additional information, and if so, it is the responsibility of the applicants to provide the necessary material.

Interviews and tests may be part of the overall evaluation.

The application

Assessment of the candidates is based on the application material, and the application must include:

• Motivated application
• Curriculum vitae
• Master’s degree and PhD degree or equivalent (copy of original)
• Teaching portfolio detailing the candidate’s prior teaching experience, teaching skills, and teaching philosophy
• Research plan, including an account of your own research and preferably a vision for future research
• A complete list of publications
• Up to 6 of the most relevant publications. Please attach one pdf-file for each publication.
• Reference letters/references may also be included
• A statement of other qualifications relevant to the position.

The application must be in English. We request files in pdf-format no more than 5 MB per file. All pdf-files must be unlocked and allow binding and may not be password protected.

Documents should not contain a CPR number (civil registration number) – in this case, the CPR number must be crossed out.

UPLOAD GUIDE: Motivated application shall be uploaded as ‘Cover letter’, Curriculum Vitae shall be uploaded as ‘Resume’. All other documents shall be uploaded as ‘Miscellaneous documents’.

If the application does not meet the requirements mentioned above, the faculty may reject your application without further notice. Applications received after the deadline will neither be considered nor evaluated.

The application deadline is 27 September 2026 at 11.59 PM/23.59 (CET/CEST)

The University of Southern Denmark wishes to reflect the surrounding community and therefore encourages everyone, regardless of personal background, to apply for the position.

About The Department

The Department of Sports Science and Clinical Biomechanics adheres to SDU's strategy and values, see https://www.sdu.dk/en/om-sdu/strategi-politikker/strategi2030. We are recognized for our interdisciplinary research. The scientific, technical and administrative staff support this through active participation in the department's professional and social life. We prefer candidates with the ambition to make mutual working relationships thrive.

About The Faculty of Health Sciences

The Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Southern Denmark is one of Denmark’s leading faculties of health sciences. With nine departments, internationally top‑class research, and a broad range of health‑related study programmes, we contribute to developing the knowledge, treatments, and healthcare system of the future.

As an employee at the faculty, you become part of an ambitious and interdisciplinary environment characterised by high academic standards, strong collaborations, and excellent opportunities for professional development. The faculty has activities in Odense, Esbjerg, and Copenhagen. In Esbjerg and Copenhagen, strong academic communities provide the framework for research and education, while our modern faculty building in Odense brings research, education, and administration together under one roof and is directly connected to Odense University Hospital.

About SDU

The University of Southern Denmark was established to create value for and with society. Whether our contributions come in the form of excellent research, innovative solutions, education or learning, we must make a positive difference to society and contribute to a sustainable future. We do this by cultivating talents and creating the best environments for research and learning. It is therefore crucial that SDU retains, develops and recruits talent. At the same time, we need to ensure consistently high quality in all our activities – and we can only do that with the right people. The University’s researchers, lecturers, students, managers and technical/administrative staff are the foundation of our success.

Location

Odense M, Denmark

Apply Before

2026-09-27T21:59:00+00:00