Academic research assistant (m/f/x)

Saarland University is a campus university with an international reputation for research excellence, particularly in

computer science and in the life sciences and nanosciences. The university is also distinguished by its close ties to

France and its strong European focus. Around 17,000 students, studying over one hundred different academic

disciplines, are currently enrolled at Saarland University. Saarland University is officially recognized as one of

Germany’s family-friendly higher-education institutions and with a combined workforce of more than 4000 it is one

of the largest employers in the region.

The Chair of Experimental Musculoskeletal Medicine is inviting applications for the following position commencing

at the earliest opportunity.

Academic research assistant (m/f/x)

Reference number W2921, salary in accordance with the German TV-L salary scale1, pay grade: E13 TV- L, duration

of employment: three years, volume of employment: 100 % of standard working time.

Workplace/Department:

The Chair of Experimental Musculoskeletal Medicine is specialized in interdisciplinary musculoskeletal research with

a focus on in-vivo measurements in humans. The main topics are musculoskeletal adaptations to spaceflight and

extreme environments, ageing, immobilisation, and during rehabilitation. Research methods from medicine, sports

science, physiology, computer science and engineering are used for this purpose. The young and dynamic team

operates in an international and interdisciplinary context. The lab is located at the medical campus of Saarland

University in Homburg/Saar, Germany. Website: https://www.uni-saarland.de/en/chair/ganse.html

We are looking for a PostDoc (m/f/d) with an interest in conducting studies using wearable devices during the daily

life and in the field. Examples for wearable devices are smartwatches, instrumented insoles, or smart wristbands.

The focus will be on the development of outcome parameters and digital biomarkers using off-the-shelf devices,

and not on industry research or device development. We have a fully equipped movement lab with a motion capture

system, an instrumented treadmill, a bicycle ergometer, EMG and force plates, as well as multiple physiological

measurement devices, such as Finapres NOVA and NIRS devices. The applicant is expected to have experience in

data collection, data analysis, and with the publication of scientific articles in international journals. At Saarland

University, the postdoc has the opportunity to obtain a habilitation degree (postdoctoral thesis).

1

TV-L = collective agreement on remuneration of public sector employees in the German Länder

The pay grade assigned to an employee depends on their professional qualifications and the number of years of service. Each pay grade is

further subdivided into levels. Entry-level employees with no previous experience will initially be assigned a level 1 rating. After one year

at level 1 of the E10 pay grade, an employee will move up to level 2. After a further two years, the employee will move to level 3, etc.

Job requirements and responsibilities:

• The applicant is expected to conceptualise and implement wearble research studies with a musculoskeletal focus

with the aim to develop outcome parameters and digital biomarkers

• Collaboration with international and local partners
• Co-supervision of doctoral students (Dr. med.)
• Data processing and data analysis using statistical software
• Writing of scientific articles and publication in international journals
• Supporting in the other projects conducted by the group
• Up to four hours of teaching per week
• A requirement is that the applicant has already published at least three papers as a first author on wearable

research

• Another requirement is that the applicant has experience with writing ethics applications and data collection in

studies with human participants

Your academic qualifications:

• Doctoral degree / PhD in the field of wearable device research
• Language skills (according to GER): German -B1, English –C1

The successful candidate will also be expected to:

• Enjoy interdisciplinary work and have an interest in learning on new topics and techniques from different fields

to be able to take a holistic view of the given problems

• Have the ability to conduct scientifc work independently in an interdisciplinary team
• Be interested in publishing research results
• Speak and write English well

What we can offer you:

• A flexible work schedule allowing you to balance work and family, among other things the possibility of

teleworking

• Secure and future-oriented employment with attractive conditions
• A broad range of further education and professional development programmes (for example language courses)
• An occupational health management model with numerous attractive options, such as our university sports

programme

• Supplementary pension scheme (RZVK)
• Discounted tickets on local public transport services (‘Job-Ticket‘ of the saarVV)
• Job bike leasing (JobRad)

We look forward to receiving your meaningful online application (in a PDF file) by 25.10.2026 to

christina.hoeft@uni-saarland.de. Please include the reference number W2921 in the subject line of the e-mail.

Application documents will not be returned. Please only submit copies of your documents and do not use plastic

wallets, folders, ring binders, etc.

If you have any questions, please contact us for assistance. Your contact:

Frau Christina Höft

Tel.: +49 6841 16 31570

Pay grade classification is based on the particular details of the position held and the extent to which the applicant meets the

requirements of the pay grade within the TV-L salary scale. Part-time employment is generally possible.

If you have obtained a foreign university degree, a proof of the equivalence of this degree with a German degree by the

Zentralstelle für ausländisches Bildungswesen (ZAB) is needed before hiring. If necessary, please apply for this in time. You can

find more information at https://www.kmk.org/zeugnisbewertung.

Unfortunately, neither costs for attending an interview at Saarland University nor costs for any certificate evaluation by the ZAB

can be reimbursed in principle.

We welcome applications regardless of gender, nationality, ethnic and social origin, religion/belief, disability, age, and sexual

orientation and identity. In accordance with its policy of increasing the proportion of women, the University actively encourages

applications from women. Applications from severely disabled persons will be given preferential consideration in the event of

equal suitability.

When you submit a job application to Saarland University you will be transmitting personal data. Please refer to our privacy

notice for information on how we collect and process personal data in accordance with Art. 13 of the Datenschutz-

Grundverordnung. By submitting your application you confirm that you have taken note of the information in the Saarland

University privacy notice.