With more than 6.300 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:

W1 Junior Professorship Human systems biology (with tenure track to W2) (female/male/diverse)

We are looking for a young scientist with international research activities in applied systems biology of the human organism, in particular with proven expertise in integrative human physiology. The research focus should be on the analysis and modelling of individual systemic factors that influence training adaptation in the context of health promotion and performance enhancement. At the centre are time-resolved multiple (including extreme) environmental influences. The aim is to develop an integrative understanding of the functions, complex dynamics and comprehensive regulatory processes in the human organism as a whole. The collaboration with the Institute of Aviation and Space Medicine at the German Aerospace Centre (DLR) shoud be utilised and expanded.

The professorship will be closely linked to the life sciences research and teaching areas of the German Sport University Cologne in both research and teaching. This includes integration into national and international research networks.

The tasks of the professorship include participation in the 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. Accordingly, participation in joint research activities within the University as well as the successful acquisition and realisation of third-party funded projects are an integral part of the professorship's remit.

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.

Applicants are expected to have:

• In-depth knowledge of multi-scale physiology and expertise in modeling biological processes
• Relevant international publications in the context of the professorship
• Recognisable transfer potential of scientific findings into application-oriented health and/or (high) performance research
• Development and application of new methods and analyses for simulating complex biopsychosocial processes and modelling personalised (dynamic) systems
• First successful acquisition of, in particular, competitive third-party funding and its project implementation
• Experience with national and international research collaborations
• Willingness to collaborate with institutes at the German Sport University Cologne that are related to the field
• Interdisciplinary compatibility with existing and developing research projects at the DSHS
• Positively evaluated and/or award-winning teaching
• Competencies in staff management and staff development
• Experience in academic self-administration.

Desirable are:

• Experience in the (further) development of degree programmes and/or teaching formats
• English-language teaching skills
• Experience abroad in academic institutions.

International applicants are expected to be able to offer class instruction in German language within six semesters.

The position is to be filled on a temporary civil service basis for an initial period of three years. Following a positive interim evaluation, an extension for a further three years is envisaged. The position involves a teaching load of 4 SWS in the first phase and 5 SWS in the second phase.

The junior professorship is linked to a tenure track for appointment to a permanent W2 professorship with a teaching load of currently 9 SWS, provided that an evaluation procedure determines that the performance requirements specified for the junior professorship have been met and the other requirements for appointment to a professorship are fulfilled.

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 2534-JP-Systembiologie by 23.02.2026 in the form of a pdf file exclusively to the e-mail address bewerbung@dshs-koeln.de (https://mailto:bewerbung@dshs-koeln.de) .

Please also visit our homepage www.dshs-koeln.de (http://www.dshs-koeln.de) . There, at www.dshs-koeln.de/datenschutz/ (http://www.dshs-koeln.de/datenschutz/) , you will also find information on the handling of your personal data transmitted for the purpose of your application.

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