Assistant Professor Sport and Performance Psychology
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The Department of Psychology of the University of Groningen invites applications for an Assistant Professor position in the domain of Sport and Performance Psychology. This domain attracts the interest of many students, potential PhD students, and societal partners. Sport and performance psychology is embedded in the BSc Psychology program and in the MSc track Talent Development and Creativity, as well as the Dutch postmaster program on Sport and Performance Psychology in Groningen.
Assistant Professor Sport and Performance Psychology
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What are you going to do?
The Assistant Professor will be responsible for courses and individual student supervision at Bachelor and Master level on sport psychology, resilience, and talent development and selection. Preferably, the candidate can also teach in the postmaster program. In research, the candidate will supervise PhD students and postdocs, and will be involved in projects on sport psychology, including resilience, and talent development and selection. The primary domains of research and supervision are the sports and high-performance military contexts. The Assistant Professor is expected to develop an independent and relevant research line within these domains and actively pursue external research funding. Moreover, the candidate participates in relevant committees within and outside the department.
Within the Talent Development and Creativity Master’s track and the ongoing research projects, close collaborations are maintained with sports associations, professional clubs, and the Ministry of Defense. It is expected from the candidate to connect with these societal partners, maintain the strong relationships and, preferably, connect with new partners in the field. Finally, providing presentations and workshops to partners and the broader community of coaches and stakeholders, is an expected part of this position.
Tasks
Candidate will be expected to:
- Teach and coordinate courses on sport psychology and talent development.
- Supervise bachelor and master students on sport psychology, resilience, and talent in both research and internship projects.
- Supervise PhD students and post-docs in the sport and performance psychology domain.
- Teach in the postmaster program.
- Deliver workshops on sport psychology and resilience for specific target groups (e.g., coaches) and broader audiences.
- Collaborate and connect with partners in the sports and defense context.
- Develop a strong research line and attract research funding in the sport and performance psychology context.
Who are you?
We are looking for candidates who meet the following requirements:
- A PhD degree in sport and performance psychology.
- A formal sport psychology accreditation and/or certificate.
- A strong academic publication record on sport psychology, resilience, and talent development (quality).
- Strong skills in the analysis of resilience, talent development, and selection of athletes and performers.
- A strong network in the domain of sport and performance (e.g., Military) psychology.
- Being able to attract funding for research.
- Experience with supervising PhD students.
- Experience with teaching on sport psychology, resilience, and talent development.
- In possession of the University Teaching Qualification (BKO), or willingness to obtain it within a short time frame.
- Excellent social and communication skills.
- Being able to work in interdisciplinary teams.
- Managing collaborations with partners in and outside academia.
- Proficiency in Dutch, or the ability and willingness to develop this within a short time frame.
What can you expect from us?
- In accordance with the collective labor agreement for Dutch universities, we offer a salary of at least € 4.728 (schaal 11) up to a maximum of € 7.297 (schaal 12) gross per month for a full-time employment contract.
- 232 vacation hours per year, based on a 38-hour workweek (1.0 FTE). You can also work more or fewer hours in exchange for more or fewer free hours. For example, with a 40-hour workweek, you save 96 extra free hours, and with a 36-hour workweek, you lose 96 hours.
- End-of-year bonus of 8.3% and 8% holiday allowance.
- Extensive opportunities for personal and professional development.
- A temporary contract for a period of one year. Near the end of this period a performance and development review will take place. In case of a positive evaluation and business conditions remain unchanged, the position may be converted to a permanent position after one year if the collective labor agreement for Dutch universities specifies that it is a permanent position. Intended starting date: 1 September 2026
Where will you be working?
At the University of Groningen (UG), researchers from all fields of academia and technology are working on academic challenges and societal questions. Lecturers prepare their students for meaningful careers within or outside the academic world. Interdisciplinary research and teaching, sharing of knowledge, collaboration with businesses, government institutions, and societal organizations are aspects that are of the utmost importance to this European top university. The UG aims to be an open academic community with an inclusive and safe working climate that invites you to add your value.
The Faculty of Behavioural and Social Sciences (GMW) excels in research and teaching in the areas of behaviour, thinking, learning, and participation in society. More than 4,500 students and approximately 650 staff address social questions and challenges that people experience in daily life. Our core focus is on individual and societal resilience and how to strengthen it. We focus on current themes such as health and wellbeing, sustainable living, learning and development, inclusive society, safe and healthy upbringing, and work and collaboration. If you would like to learn more about the Faculty of Behavioural and Social Sciences, visit rug.nl/gmw.
The Department of Psychology, and specifically the centre of expertise for Talent Development, has a strong (inter)national reputation in the domain of talent development and sport psychology. The Master’s program Talent Development and Creativity is offered by different expertise groups, primarily Psychometrics and Statistics, and Developmental Psychology, where the Assistant Professor will be positioned. The Assistant Professor will closely collaborate with colleagues from different expertise groups within the Department of Psychology.
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Sollicitatieprocedure
After submitting your application, you will receive a confirmation by email.
The selection committee assesses your application and you will be notified as soon as possible whether you are invited for an interview.
We would like to get to know each other better in a first interview, which can take place either online or on location.
We may schedule a second interview with you. Depending on the position, this interview can be complemented with an assessment or guest lecture.
After a positive interview, we will discuss the terms of employment together. When everything is completed, we are happy to welcome you at the University of Groningen!
Interested?
Does this vacancy appeal to you? If so, click on the button below and apply straightaway.
Please add the following documents to your application:
- CV.
- Cover letter.
The job interviews will take place on Monday, June 22, 2026.
Do you have any questions or need more information?
-
Questions about the content of the job?
Bertus Jeronimus
Associate Professor
B.F.Jeronimus@rug.nl -
Questions about your application process?
Bertus Jeronimus
Associate Professor
B.F.Jeronimus@rug.nl
Information about applying
When scheduling meetings, we will take your schedule into account as much as possible.
The University of Groningen considers social safety important. We strive to be a university where staff and students feel respected and at home, regardless of differences in background, experiences, perspectives, and identity. For more information, see also our page about our diversity policy.
Acquisition is not appreciated.
Our selection procedure follows the guidelines of the NVP Application Code.
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