ASSISTANT PROFESSOR 2: DATASCIENCE IN SPORT AND HEALTH

You will be expected to:

• teach courses and supervise student research projects at the Bachelor’s, Master’s (including Research Master’s), and PhD level, with a focus on data science
• initiate and conduct high-quality research that expands the use of data science within the department
• acquire external research funding and build national and international collaborations
• contributing to departmental governance and committees
• engage in impact-oriented activities beyond academia

• a PhD in Human Movement Sciences or a related field (e.g. Biomedical Engineering, Psychology, Neuroscience, or Physiology)
• demonstrated training and expertise in data science
• a clear affinity with lecturing and student supervision
• experience with or strong interest in the application of data science in sport, health and/or rehabilitation, preferably in domains such as biomechanics, physiology, neuroscience or motor learning
• a publication record in peer-reviewed international journals
• experience with acquiring external funding or academic entrepreneurship
• a university teaching qualification (Dutch: BKO), or willingness to obtaining one
• you are able to teach in Dutch or willing to learn the Dutch language

As a university, we strive for equal opportunities for all, recognising that diversity takes many forms. We believe that diversity in all its complexity is invaluable for the quality of our teaching, research and service. We are always looking for talent with diverse backgrounds and experiences. This also means that we are committed to creating an inclusive community so that we can use diversity as an asset.

We realise that each individual brings a unique set of skills, expertise and mindset. Therefore we are happy to invite anyone who recognises themselves in the profile to apply, even if you do not meet all the requirements.

A challenging position in a socially engaged organisation. At VU Amsterdam, you contribute to education, research and service for a better world. And that is valuable. So in return for your efforts, we offer you:

• a salary of minimum € 4.728,00 (Scale 11) and maximum € 6.433,00 (Scale 11) gross per month, on a full-time basis. This is based on UFO profile Lecturer / Asisstant Professor 2. The exact salary depends on your education and experience
• a position for at least 0.8 FTE. Your employment contract will initially last 18 months. After a satisfactory evaluation of the initial appointment, the contract will be changed into a tenured contract

We also offer you attractive fringe benefits and regulations. Some examples:

• a full-time 38-hour working week comes with a holiday leave entitlement of 232 hours per year. If you choose to work 40 hours, you have 96 extra holiday leave hours on an annual basis. For part-timers, this is calculated pro rata
• 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% end-of-year bonus
• solid pension scheme (ABP)
• contribution to commuting expenses
• optional model for designing a personalized benefits package

Department of Human Movement Sciences
The department conducts high-quality research on the human movement, the musculoskeletal system, on the way people move, on the way movement is controlled, and on how human movement can be influenced in the context of sports, health, physical education and rehabilitation. Our research integrates anatomy, physiology, psychology and biomechanics and is embedded in the research institutes Amsterdam Movement Sciences (https://www.amsterdamumc.org/en/research/institutes/amsterdam-movement-sciences.htm) and Institute for Brain and Behavior Amsterdam (https://vu.nl/en/about-vu/research-institutes/institute-brain-and-behaviour-amsterdam-ibba).

We offer BSc, MSc, and PhD programs, with a strong emphasis on scientific training. We are strongly committed to theory development and innovative research, and emphasize societal impact and knowledge translation into practice. It is internationally recognized for excellence in research and teaching, including a top-5 ranking in Sports Science (Shanghai Ranking).

The department provides a vibrant climate with high quality teaching and research staff and PhD-students who are supported by excellent facilities. For example: multiple labs for experimental research, equipment for movement analysis and physiological measurements, as well as high-quality engineering support to develop custom-made equipment and set-ups, and tools for ambulant data collection in sports, clinical and home environments.

Faculty of Behavioural and Movement Sciences
Developing knowledge for an active, healthy and meaningful life: that is our mission at the Faculty of Behavioural and Movement Sciences at VU Amsterdam. We maintain a broad focus on the fields of behaviour and health. Our teaching and research programmes are devoted to current developments in society. From healthy aging to e-health, and from training top athletes to social media as a teaching tool. We combine three academic disciplines: psychology, movement sciences and education. A multidisciplinary approach allows us to arrive at a better understanding of human behaviour and movement. Our aims are to help people live healthier lives, learn better and function better.

Are you interested in joining Behavioural and Movement Sciences? You are the kind of person who feels at home working in an ambitious faculty, with an informal atmosphere and short lines of communication. We offer you all the space you need for personal development. Together with your 630 colleagues, you will take care of about 4,200 students.

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam stands for values-driven education and research. We are open-minded experts with the ability to think freely - a broader mind. Maintaining an entrepreneurial perspective and concentrating on diversity, significance and humanity, we work on sustainable solutions with social impact. By joining forces, across the boundaries of disciplines, we work towards a better world for people and planet. Together we create a safe and respectful working and study climate, and an inspiring environment for education and research. Learn more about our codes of conduct

We are located on one physical campus, in the heart of Amsterdam's Zuidas business district, with excellent location and accessibility. Over 6,150 staff work at the VU and over 31,000 students attend academic education.

Diversity
Diversity is the driving force of VU Amsterdam. VU wants to be accessible and receptive to diversity in disciplines, cultures, ideas, nationalities, beliefs, preferences and worldviews. We believe that trust, respect, interest and differences lead to new insights and innovation, to sharpness and clarity, to excellence and a broader understanding.

We stand for an inclusive community and believe that diversity and internationalisation contribute to the quality of education, research and our services.

Therefore, we are always searching for people whose backgrounds and experience contribute to the diversity of the VU community.

Are you interested in this position? Please apply via the application button and upload:

1. a motivation letter (max 1 page)
2. your CV, including contact details and two references
3. a short video introduction of yourself (< 60 seconds)
4. two representative publications

Materials must be submitted by 10/03/2026. Interviews will take place at the end of March. The position can be started at a mutually agreed date after May 2026.

Vacancy questions
If you have any questions regarding this vacancy, you may contact:
Name: Mirjam Pijnappels
Position: Hoogleraar Bewegingswetenschappen
E-mail: m.pijnappels@vu.nl
Tel: 020- 59 82000

Applications received by e-mail will not be considered.

Acquisition in response to this advertisement is not appreciated.