Postdoctoral Position at Tokyo College - Tokyo College

Postdoctoral Position at Tokyo College

About Tokyo College

Tokyo College is a new scheme of collaboration for members of the University of Tokyo to discuss and create a shared vision of an ideal future with people from across the globe and to take action together to pursue its realization. Leading scholars, promising young researchers and influential intellectuals from overseas will gather and stay at Tokyo College, where they will have frequent opportunities to exchange ideas with our scholars and students, creating synergy and generating new knowledge, which will help us shape our future. Knowledge created by these activities will be delivered immediately to the public through lectures and seminars organized by Tokyo College.

1.Job Title

Postdoctoral Fellow (Project Researcher) at Tokyo College, the University of Tokyo

2. Field of Expertise

Tokyo College is looking to invite researchers from a broad range of fields under the research theme, "The Earth and Human Society in 2050", and carry out interdisciplinary collaboration to contribute to the realization of a sustainable and inclusive future of humanity. Applicants’ field of expertise should be related to at least one of the following five research foci; topics that range across multiple themes are also welcome.

  1. Digital Revolution and Future of Humanity
  2. Tackling the Planetary Boundaries through Interdisciplinary Approaches
  3. Japan Viewed from Inside and Outside
  4. Humanities in 2050 - World Philosophy, World History and World Literature -
  5. Life and its Value for Future Society

3. Job Description

Postdoctoral researchers are expected to:

  • pursue their own research objectives through an interdisciplinary lens
  • undertake collaborative research with researchers both within and outside of Japan
  • actively expand research collaborations and networks within the country and overseas
  • actively attend or host research seminars at Tokyo College, including seminars/events to be broadcasted online
  • engage in academic outreach through dissemination of research outcomes

4.Terms

The appointment must start anytime between April 1, 2021 and January 1, 2022. It is a fixed term, three-year contract without extension.

5. Eligibility

  • Ph.D. or equivalent in a related field obtained not earlier than five years prior to the contract starting date. Applicants scheduled to obtain a Ph.D. degree before the starting date are also eligible to apply.
  • Good communication skills in English. No Japanese language skills required.

We encourage applications from scholars who have had none or limited opportunities to be based at Japanese institutions and wish to build academic networks in Japan and abroad.

 6. Compensation & Benefits

Annual gross salary is JPY 6,000,000 plus benefits, and may rise within the range of JPY 6,000,000 – JPY 7,200,000, depending on annual performance.

  • Commuter allowance: maximum JPY 55,000 per month
  • Social Insurance: Eligible for MEXT* Mutual Aid Association membership, employees’ pension, unemployment insurance, and workers’ accident compensation insurance. (*MEXT: Japan’s Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology)
  • Vacation: Annual paid vacation, sick leave (paid), special vacation (paid)
  • Research fund: Maximum JPY 1,000,000 per annum will be provided which can be used to cover research related expenses, including books or references, travel expenses, etc.
  • Relocation support for researchers from overseas: Tokyo College will provide support including obtaining a work visa and finding accommodation.

7. Employment Status and Working Hours

In principle, postdoctoral fellows are employed full-time by the University of Tokyo. The working hours may be made more flexible by adopting a discretionary labor system (exemption system) for this position and are left to the employees’ discretion. Other terms and conditions on this employment status shall be subject to the University of Tokyo working regulations.

8. Place of Work

This position is based at Hongo Campus of the University of Tokyo.

(7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8654 JAPAN)

 9. Application Materials

  • Cover letter (maximum 2 pages), including
    • name(s) of the potential University of Tokyo faculty member who you would like to be hosted by. You do not need to contact them in advance.
    • names and contact details of 2 referees
    • preferred starting date
  • Curriculum vitae (including publication list)
  • Research statement (maximum 4 pages; indicate how your topic fits with one or more of the five research fields of the Tokyo College)

10. Application and Selection Process

Application deadline: September 30, 2020 in Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)

Submission: All the application materials should be uploaded via Academic Jobs Online by the application deadline:https://academicjobsonline.org/ajo/jobs/16616. Submission through email or postal mail will not be accepted. All the documents are required to be in English.

Selection process: After an initial screening process, shortlisted candidates will be invited for an online interview. Applicants who have not been shortlisted will be notified about the decision.

* Personal information will be handled according to the Privacy Policy of the University of Tokyo and will be used only for the purpose of selection processes.

* The University of Tokyo is committed to gender equality principles in their recruitment.

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. Is there any age limit to apply for the position?

- No, all we require is that applicants should be within 5 years of obtaining a PhD.

  1. I am not sure how my research topic relates to one of the research fields of Tokyo College.

- Our five themes have room for new ideas and research topics. Please indicate the research fields which are closest to your research in your “Research Statement”.

  1. How should I select a potential faculty host?

- Please refer to the university website (https://www.u-tokyo.ac.jp/en/academics/faculties.html , https://www.u-tokyo.ac.jp/en/research/databases.html) to find a researcher you would like to be hosted by or who you think most closely fits your research theme. You do not need to contact the potential host in advance.

  1. Can I learn Japanese at the University of Tokyo?

- Yes, the university provides free Japanese language courses for researchers. The course has two modes: intensive and regular, and offers 5 levels from beginner to advanced level. For more information please refer to http://www.nkc.u-tokyo.ac.jp/index2_e.html

  1. Will I be able to/expected to teach?

- In principle, this is a research position. There is no expectation to teach. Limited teaching opportunities under existing courses may be available.

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