Recruitment - 13th batch (2022)

Call for Applications
【The Global Category】

Kyoto University has striven to develop the Hakubi Project to foster and support early-career researchers since 2009. The Hakubi Center is now accepting applications for positions as a researcher in the Global category with the aim of fostering future world-class researchers at Kyoto University. 

Note: In addition to the call for applicants for positions in Global category, which is the original type offered by the Hakubi Project begun in 2015, Kyoto University has started accepting applications for what has been called the Tenure-Track positions which is a part of the Leading Initiative for Excellent Young Researchers (LEADER) Program subsidized by the Government of Japan’s Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT). Positions in the category known as Tenure-Track will be described in detail in the information on the LEADER Program homepage (https://www.jsps.go.jp/english/e-le/index.html). 

(Review of the 13th Call for Applications)
In order to further develop the Hakubi Project and further improve the research capabilities of Kyoto University, Kyoto University conducted a review of the Hakubi Project in anticipation of the 13th call for applications. Considering the current situation at critical assessment of the university – the declining number of young researchers and the low percentage of female faculty members – we have reviewed the content of the call for applicants and the operation of the project in order to encourage as many outstanding early-career researchers as possible, especially female researchers, to apply.

1. Target Fields

Research projects in all fields of the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences are welcome. These include all academic research, from basic to applied.

2. Eligibility Requirements

Researchers with a doctoral degree (including those without the degree who have academic research ability equivalent or superior to that of a doctoral degree holder) are eligible. Applicants of all nationalities are welcome. However, those who have been employed as a Hakubi researcher by the Hakubi Project in the past are not eligible to apply. It is not possible to apply in both the Global and Tenure-Track categories at the same time.

3. Number of Positions

Program-specific assistant professors: approximately fifteen Program-specific associate professors or program-specific junior associate professors: approximately five

4. Terms and conditions of employment

• Successful applicants will be hired as program-specific faculty members (program-specific assistant professor, program-specific junior associate professor, or program-specific associate professor) on an annual salary basis as stipulated in the Kyoto University Rules of Employment for Fixed-Term Program-Specific Faculty Members and will be paid in accordance with the university’s payment standards.
• Researchers will be affiliated with the Hakubi Center, Kyoto University.
• The expected date of employment is April 1, 2023. However, this may be postponed in consideration of individual circumstances.
• The employment period is five years. The term of appointment is not renewable. However, if a researcher takes childcare leave or nursing care leave after being hired and wishes to extend his/her appointment, it is possible to extend the term of the appointment by the period of absence after consultation with the host professor and host department.
• Successful applicants will be covered by the MEXT Mutual Aid Association membership, including an employee pension, unemployment insurance, and workers’ accident compensation insurance.
• To ensure the smooth implementation of the research after employment, applicants should make every effort to negotiate with a prospective host professor of a research department within Kyoto University during the application period. It is suggested that an applicant should obtain the notification of acceptance by the host professor prior to the first round of screening. It is necessary to receive an acceptance from a host professor prior to the second round of interview screening.
• Research grants will range from 1 to 4 million yen per year depending on the nature of the research.
• Those employed in this project will be awarded the title of ‘Kyoto University Hakubi Researcher’ from the date of employment as proof that Kyoto University recognizes them as outstanding researchers who will lead the next generation of scholars.
• Hakubi Researchers are required to submit an annual report on their research activities to the Hakubi Center at the end of each academic year. In addition, they will be evaluated as faculty members in accordance with Kyoto University internal regulations by the department or program with which they are associated, but no interim evaluations will be conducted by the Hakubi Center. At the end of the employment period, Hakubi Researchers must present their research results to the Hakubi Center. 
• Hakubi Researchers are obligated to participate in events and other activities organized by the Hakubi Center. In addition, they are required to present their research at events such as the Hakubi Seminar.
• Hakubi Researchers are obligated to faithfully observe the Kyoto University Rules of Employment for Fixed-Term Program-Specific Faculty Members as well as other rules and regulations of the university.

5．Selection Method

• (First round of screening)
  The Kyoto University Hakubi Center Expert Committee, where a written review will be conducted,  evaluates applicants’ research achievements and plans and determines whether the applicant will be selected for an interview. 
• (Second round of screening)
  The selection of candidates for employment will be conducted by the Hakuraku Council of the Hakubi Center, where interviews will be conducted, and candidates will be selected based on a comprehensive evaluation of their qualifications not only in terms of research but also as an individual equipped to lead the next generation of academics.
• (Third round of screening)
  The Kyoto University Hakubi Center Steering Committee will deliberate on the results of the interviews by the Hakuraku Council, etc., and decide who will be offered the positions.

Note: Kyoto University promotes gender equality. We welcome applications from female researchers. As part of its effort to promote gender equality at the university, in accordance with the provisions of Article 8 of the Ordinance for the Enforcement of the Act on Ensuring Equal Opportunities for and Treatment of Men and Women in Employment (Equal Employment Opportunity Law), women will be given priority in employment if their evaluation is equal to that of a male candidate in the selection process. If an applicant has interrupted research due to childbirth, childcare, or nursing care, upon the applicant’s request, this will be taken into consideration in the screening of research achievements.

6.  Selection Results

All applicants will be notified of the final selection results by e-mail. Please note that the Hakubi Center will not respond to questions regarding the selection process or the reasons for the selection or rejection of candidates.

7. Application Procedure and Deadline

How to apply

Please be sure to read the ‘Applicant Registration and Proposal Preparation Instructions’ before submitting your application.

• Applicant Registration and Proposal Preparation Instructions
• The Review Section Table (Overview)

1. Please download the required proposal form below to prepare your proposal.

• Proposal (PDF) (Word)

2. Please access the applicant registration site at the URL below and register the required information.
https://recruit.hakubi.kyoto-u.ac.jp

3. An email confirming registration will be sent to your registered email address. Please access the URL provided in the email and upload your prepared proposal. Uploading the proposal will complete the application process.

Application deadline

The deadline for applications is Thursday, June 30, 2022, at 1:00 p.m. (Japan time).
※You will receive an acceptance email approximately one week after the proposal upload deadline. If you do not hear from us, please be sure to contact us as shown in ‘9. Enquiries’.

8. Online information sessions

Application information videos on the Hakubi Project are available on our website. Dr. Akamatsu, director of Hakubi Center for Advanced Research, explains the project and the recruitment process. Please visit our website ( https://www.hakubi.kyoto-u.ac.jp/rec/2022/online-info )

9. Contact Information

Please refer to the FAQ file for more information about applying. For any other questions, please contact us at the e-mail address below. We do not accept telephone enquiries.
【Reference】FAQ

The Hakubi Center for Advanced Research, Kyoto University
E-mail: hakubi * mail2.adm.kyoto-u.ac.jp (Please change * to @)

10. Remarks

• Kyoto University is working to prevent passive smoking by prohibiting smoking indoors and outdoors except in designated smoking areas on all campuses.
• Application documents will be used for employment screening only. The information will not be disclosed to any third party.
• Applicants are responsible for expenses incurred in the application process.
• Kyoto University promotes gender equality. We hope to receive many applications from female researchers.