Junior Professor of Sports and Society in Mainz

Organisation/Company Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz Research Field Other Researcher Profile Established Researcher (R3) Positions Postdoc Positions Application Deadline 11 Oct 2026 - 23:59 (Europe/Berlin) Country Germany Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Hours Per Week 40 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Reference Number J183-2026 Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

The Institute of Sports at the Faculty of Social Sciences, Media, and Sports invites applications for the position of

Junior Professor of Sports and Society

to be filled at the earliest possible date.

Salary grade W 1 LBesG | Civil servant with a fixed-term contract

Tasks and expectations:

We are looking for a candidate to represent the field of sport and society in research and teaching.

The successful candidate is expected to have a theory-driven, and empirically based research profile that has the potential for collaboration and that focuses on the functions, structures, and effects of sports in modern societies in at least one of the following thematic areas: Sports in the context of

• social inequality, diversity, and inclusion in and through sports;
• integrity and safety in sports (e.g., athlete rights, safeguarding, competition manipulation);
• social and/or ecological sustainability in sports (e.g., sports to aid development);
• media, communication, and digitalization.

Candidates should demonstrate the potential to further develop an independent, internationally compatible research profile in the field of sport and society.

Initial experience in more than one of the four aforementioned thematic areas is desirable.

The responsibilities of the professorship include teaching social science theories, quantitative and qualitative research methods, and applied perspectives in sports across all degree programs offered by the Institute of Sports.

Involvement in academic self-administration as well as a commitment to participating in interdisciplinary research networks and continuing education programs is required.

In addition to the general requirements under civil service law, applicants must meet the recruitment requirements specified in Section 54 of the Hochschulgesetz of Rhineland-Palatinate.

• A qualified doctoral degree in sports science or social sciences
• Research potential, demonstrated through publications in at least one of the four aforementioned thematic areas
• Innovative and interdisciplinary research approaches
• Initial experience in acquiring third-party funding or participating in competitive research projects

Teaching

• Proof of initial teaching achievements and university-level teaching experience across a range of subjects within the field
• Ability and willingness to offer courses in English and German

The state of Rhineland-Palatinate and JGU are committed to close personal mentoring of students and therefore expect teaching staff to have a strong presence at the university. A cooperative, team-oriented and proactive work attitude, strong communication skills, and the willingness to assume responsibility – including further professional development in accordance with JGU’s leadership guidelines – is also expected.

Junior professors are appointed as temporary civil servants for the duration of six years. In the fourth year of the junior professorship, a performance evaluation will take place for orientation purposes.

Research Field Other

Additional Information

What we have to offer:

JGU firmly supports making family and career compatible and promotes its employees’ further professional development with an extensive range of human resources development opportunities.

JGU places great value on the diversity of its professorial staff and aims to increase the number of women in research and teaching and therefore encourages female researchers to apply.

Candidates with severe disabilities or with equivalent status (as defined by section 2 subsection 3 of the Ninth Book of the Social Code, SGB IX) and appropriate qualifications will be given priority.

Additional comments

Number of offers available 1 Company/Institute The Institute of Sports at the Faculty of Social Sciences, Media, and Sports Country Germany State/Province Rheinland-Pfalz City Mainz Postal Code 55122 Street Saarstraße 21 Geofield