W2 Professorship in sports- and exercise-related health and social psychology (female/ male/diverse)

At the earliest possible date | Full time | Salary grade W2 | Application deadline 01. September 2026

With more than 6.000 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 in the Institute of Psychology, Section Health and Social Psychology, at the earliest possible date:

W2 Professorship in sports- and exercise-related health and social psychology (female/male/diverse)

The professorship is being advertised as part of the
Women Professors Program 2030

We are looking for a candidate with an internationally recognized track record to represent health and social psychology in various fields of application related to
sports, exercise, and physical activity in research, teaching, and knowledge transfer at the German Sport University Cologne. Research in health and social psychology should address both the benefits and the consequences of sports, exercise, and physical activity.

Expertise is expected, in particular, in at least two of the following areas: (1)Target-group-specific motivation for sports, exercise, and physical activity, (2)stress and mental health in the context of sports, exercise, and physical activity, (3)group processes and social interaction in sports and exercise contexts, (4)personality development in sports and exercise contexts, (5)coaching in sports and exercise contexts.

The tasks of the professorship include collaboration in the Bachelor's, Master's, teacher training, and doctoral degree programs (particularly in the im M.Sc. Psychology in Sport and Exercise) 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. Candidates are expected to actively contribute to research activities at the institute and university levels, as well as to successfully secure, manage, and carry out competitive externally funded projects.

Furthermore, candidates are expected to have experience and a strong commitment to application- and transfer-oriented research and development. This includes, among other things, participating in and further developing transfer-oriented initiatives already established within the department.

Requirements for employment pursuant to § 36 of the Higher Education Act of North Rhine-Westphalia are:

• Completed university studies
• Ph.D. or equivalent
• Appropriate pedagogical/educational skills,
• Post-doctoral qualification (habilitation) or equivalent academic achievements.

Applicants are expected to have:

• Expertise in at least two of the areas listed above in the field of health and social psychology of sports and physical activity
• Relevant international publications covering a broad range of topics in at least two of the professorship’s aforementioned subject areas
• Successful acquisition of, in particular, competitive third-party funding
• Theory-based approach
• Experience in application- and transfer-oriented research or development
• Experience with interdisciplinary and/or international research collaborations
• Experience in academic self-governance
• English-language teaching skills
• Positively evaluated and/or award-winning teaching
• Competencies in the area of personnel management and development
• Contribute to the development and refinement of curricula and degree programs within the professor's area of expertise.

Desirable are

• Experience in (co-)supervising doctoral students
• Experience in organizing or administering courses or degree programs
• Interdisciplinary compatibility with existing and developing research projects at the GSU
• Willingness to collaborate with other institutes at the German Sport University Cologne
• Experience abroad in academic institutions

The position entails a teaching obligation of 9 SWS.

International applicants are expected to be able to offer
German-language courses within six semesters.

The German Sport University Cologne sees itself as an
open-minded employer that values diversity. It is com-
mitted to diversity and gender equality and welcomes
applications that contribute to this – regardless of gen-
der, nationality, ethnic and social origin, religion, disa-
bility, age, sexual orientation, and identity.

Increasing the proportion of women in research and
teaching is one of the university's strategic goals; quali-
fied female academics are therefore expressly encour-
aged to apply. Women are given preferential considera-
tion 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 excel-
lent academic environment, a wide range of profes-
sional development programmes, and support in bal-
ancing family and career.