Vacant job

The Swedish School of Sport and Health Sciences (GIH) is Sweden's leading knowledge centre for sport, performance development, physical activity and health. We conduct high-quality research with societal relevance, focusing on the human body in motion. We educate teachers in physical education and health, as well as coaches, health scientists, behavioural scientists, sport and health managers, sports scientists and researchers. At GIH, 160 employees and 1,400 students work and study. The university college is located in central Stockholm, close to Stockholms Stadion and a large sports and outdoor recreation area.

Project Description

The Swedish School of Sport and Health Sciences (GIH) has received funding for a research project aimed at increasing knowledge about the biomechanical mechanisms behind shoulder pain and overuse injuries in individuals using manual wheelchairs. The project has a particular focus on sex-specific differences in shoulder function, movement strategies and biomechanical loading, and how these factors affect the risk of overuse injuries.

The project is conducted within the research environments Swedish Parasport Academy (SwePA) and National Centre for Adapted Physical Activity and Parasport (NCAP) at GIH, in close collaboration with Swedish partners within rehabilitation, assistive technology development and parasport. By combining advanced biomechanical methods with clinical and sports science competence, the project aims to contribute to a greater understanding of how anatomy, movement patterns and loading interact in the development of shoulder-related complaints among wheelchair users.

The knowledge from the project is expected to contribute to the development of more individualised recommendations for rehabilitation, physical activity, assistive device fitting and sport. The results should also be usable to improve wheelchair design, reduce the risk of overuse injuries and strengthen the long-term health of individuals using manual wheelchairs.

The project is interdisciplinary and is carried out in collaboration between researchers, clinicians, users, industry and sports organisations. The goal is to generate new scientific knowledge, strengthen the international research environment at GIH and contribute to the development of future education, research and innovation within biomechanics, rehabilitation and parasport.

Job Responsibilities

The position is linked to the research environments Swedish Parasport Academy (SwePA) and National Centre for Adapted Physical Activity and Parasport (NCAP) at the Swedish School of Sport and Health Sciences (GIH). The research focuses on shoulder health in individuals using manual wheelchairs, with a particular focus on the biomechanical mechanisms behind shoulder pain and overuse injuries, as well as sex-specific differences in function, movement strategies and loading.

The responsibilities include planning, conducting and developing research within biomechanics, rehabilitation and parasport. The work involves data collection, data processing, analysis and interpretation of research data, as well as the development of research methods in the field. You will work independently and in close collaboration with researchers, doctoral students and external partners within academia, rehabilitation, industry and parasport.

The responsibilities also include writing scientific articles, presenting research results at national and international conferences, contributing to the supervision of students and doctoral students, and participating in the development of the research environment. We also expect good research practices, such as research administration, documentation and collaboration.

Qualifications

Eligible for employment is someone who has:

• Completed a PhD in biomechanics, rehabilitation science, sports science, medical engineering or equivalent.
• Documented experience of research in biomechanics, movement analysis or a related research field.
• Good collaborative skills.

Evaluation Criteria

The following evaluation criteria have been established for this position:

• Very great importance is attached to documented scientific proficiency in biomechanics, rehabilitation, musculoskeletal health, shoulder function, wheelchair-related research or equivalent.
• Very great importance is attached to experience of research regarding biomechanical mechanisms behind pain, overuse injuries and function in individuals with disabilities.
• Very great importance is attached to personal suitability for the position, such as the ability to work in a multidisciplinary team, work nationally and internationally within research and development, and the ability to work in a structured and independent manner.
• Great importance is attached to documented experience of international research collaborations.
• Great importance is attached to good knowledge of English, both spoken and written, and documented experience of scientific writing.
• Importance is attached to experience of research within rehabilitation, physical activity, wheelchair use or parasport.

Duration/Working Hours

Fixed-term position equivalent to 25% of full-time employment for approx. 1 year, with the possibility of extension. Start date 2026-09-01 or by agreement.

Salary

Individual salary setting applies.

Application Process

You apply via our website by clicking the "Apply" button. As an applicant, you are responsible for ensuring that the application is complete in accordance with the advertisement. Documents are attached electronically and must be in Word or PDF format. The application must include the following documents:

• summary of education, employment, scientific merits and publication list (CV),
• concise written account of scientific and other activities, including a list of published scientific articles,
• a selection of cited scientific articles according to the list above (max 5),
• suggestions for reference persons.

The application must be received by GIH no later than 1 August 2026.

Please read GIH's Employee and Leadership Policy (http://gih.se/Global/5_omGIH/Styrdokument/Administration/GIH_Medarbetarskaps-och_ledarskapspolicy_2015-04-07.pdf).

Cited merits must be verifiable upon request. GIH promotes diversity and equality in all employment categories. We therefore welcome applicants with different backgrounds and experiences. We decline direct contact with staffing and recruitment agencies and sellers of job advertisements.