Chair in Physical Activity and Health

Institution (Location)
University of Limerick, Ireland
Start Date
October 1, 2015
Position Description

Academic Leadership

To lead research programmes focusing on the impacts of lifestyle choices on health in the context of physical activity,
diet and health.

This builds on the existing strengths and industry partnerships at UL relating to food and health and will enhance research
leadership in Lifestyle and Health – one of the key Health Research Institute themes. There is an urgent need for research on
how lifestyle factors impact on health and how these can be positively changed at an individual and societal level. The post
holder will engage in both epidemiological and intervention studies. The post will complement and extend current research
programmes on Food and Health and Physical Activity and Health within PESS, where trans-disciplinary research on aspects of
physical activity, diet and health are undertaken. These activities directly align with the EU Horizon 2020 initiative to promote
research on lifestyle (diet, exercise) and health.

The Chair will contribute to the academic decision-making processes of the University/Education and Health Sciences (EHS)
Faculty. The post holder will take a leadership role in achieving research priority objectives at UL by engaging in high level
scholarly activity through research, postgraduate student supervision, quality publications, securing funding and signpost
teaching activities. Establishing meaningful international linkages to develop this research area will be essential.

The post holder will:

Provide advice and support to the Head of the Physical Education and Sport Sciences Department and the Dean of EHS
about research to develop a Physical Activity, Health and Diet strategy for UL.

Play a leading role in the development of health related sport and exercise sciences research both nationally and
internationally.

Contribute to, and influence, the strategic development of research and education within the Department of PESS.
Provide leadership for research, education and related policy developments in EHS.
Contribute to capacity-building research within PESS and the Health Research Institute (HRI).

Alignment of Post to the Health Research Institute

UL is committed to supporting the HRI as a strategic priority. This appointment is aligned to the Lifestyle and Health theme
of the HRI and will enhance this theme through research in health, human performance and exercise and nutrition. Potential
collaboration opportunities within the HRI include health promotion, health economics, health technologies, psychology and
medicine. Potential collaborations with external partners include funding bodies, community-based groups, charities and other
universities which will support the achievement of the objectives of the HRI and UL’s Strategic Plan. It is envisaged that the
post holder will pursue a research unit that spans across the HRI and external (national and international) providers that allows
for the sharing of research facilities, the optimizing of exercise regimes, access to large cohort data sets, access to different
populations, establishing the interaction between physical activity and diet, establishing the link between physical activity and
sedentary behaviour, exercise metabolism and specialist health research. 

Candidate’s Qualifications (who should apply)

Qualifications

Be appointable at professorial level.
PhD in either sport and exercise sciences or a health-related discipline.
A primary degree in sport and exercise science or a health-related discipline.

Experience

At least 5 years’ experience of working in a relevant health-related discipline.
Invited Keynote speaker at (international conferences.
Experience of promoting successful interdisciplinary collaborations in research.
Experience of professional teaching background in a related discipline.
Experience of successfully leading individuals and groups engaged in research and/or in practice development activities.
Experience of working with professional bodies and statutory and charitable health organisations.

Skills and Attributes

A strong profile in research related to sport or exercise in a health context evidenced by significant numbers of first quartile
ISI publications in international peer-reviewed journals.

Evidence of success in gaining competitive funding leading to the establishment of team based research studies.
Evidence of supervising PhD students to successful completion.
Evidence of ability to motivate and lead colleagues, particularly in research.
Evidence of the ability to communicate effectively in writing.

Evidence of successfully leading individuals and groups engaged in research and/or in practice development activities.
Ability to articulate a clear vision of research objectives and planned outcomes.
Ability to engage an audience by use of excellent communication skills.

Knowledge

A good knowledge and understanding of current issues in areas of physical activity, diet and health research
activity relevant to this post. 

How to Apply

Please go to http://www.ul.ie/hr/ 

Email
[email protected]
Website

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