Recruitment - 2nd batch (2010)

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※The 2th period (2010) open call for participants has ended.

In 2009, Kyoto University inaugurated the Hakubi Project to Foster and Support Young Researchers, in which the University appoints promising young researchers as program-specific faculty members (associate professor/assistant professor under the annual salary system) and supports their research activities on themes of their own choices, so as to develop visionary researchers who will pioneer new paths in their respective academic fields. Kyoto University calls for applicants for 2010 as described below.

1．Objectives

Research activities at universities are driven by the researcher’s unlimited inspiration, intellectual curiosity and enthusiasm in quest of truth. Therefore it is of paramount importance to develop human resources with extraordinary creativity, originality and a willingness to take on new challenges over a wide variety of academic fields.

Fostering such human resources is also essential for Kyoto University. In response to the progress of globalization, it is particularly important to foster human resources with superb creativity, as well as broad perspectives and a flexible mindset, all of which are important to be able to pioneer new academic frontiers. With this view in mind, during 2009, Kyoto University inaugurated the Hakubi Project to Foster and Support Young Researchers, in addition to augmenting efforts in various existing initiatives taken by individual faculties/schools. In the Hakubi Project to Foster and Support Young Researchers, the university employs promising young researchers as program-specific faculty members (associate professor/assistant professor with an annual salary) and supports their research activities on themes of their own choosing.

2．Target Research Areas

Research programs in every range of basic and applied studies in all academic fields, from the humanities, to social and natural sciences.

3．Eligibility

Researchers with a doctorate degree (or equivalent research abilities).

4．Call for Applications

Applications are welcomed from researchers all over the world.

5．Employment

Up to 20 applicants will be appointed as program-specific faculty members (associate professor or assistant professor with an annual salary). Priority will be given to female researchers and non-Japanese researchers if multiple researchers are judged to have equivalent abilities, based on a fair evaluation.
In principle, the term of appointment will begin on April 1, 2011. The term can be adjusted, however, according to the requirements of individual researchers.

6．Employment Conditions

Selected applicants will be appointed as program-specific faculty members (associate professor or assistant professor with an annual salary) in compliance with the Rules of Employment for Fixed-Term Program-Specific Faculty Members. Although their period of service will be five years in principle, it may not extend over more than five academic years. These individuals will be referred to by the title of “Kyoto University Hakubi researcher” in recognition of their excellent research abilities to pioneer a new path in their respective academic fields.

7．Affiliation

To implement the Kyoto University Hakubi Project to Foster and Support Young Researchers, the university has established the Kyoto University Young Researcher Development Center, to which Hakubi researchers are affiliated.

8．Research Funds and Facilities

The university will provide each researcher with an annual research fund of approximately 1 to 4 million yen, depending on a number of factors such as the research plans of each individual. The center itself does not have any research facilities. Accordingly, individual researchers are asked to make their own arrangements where possible, by finding a “host” (researcher/institution/faculty) within Kyoto University that is willing to provide suitable research facilities.

9．Research Reports and Presentations

Researchers on this project shall prepare annual reports on their research activities, and are also required to give presentations on their research results at the end of their fixed term.

10．Screening Method

A screening council titled the Hakuraku Council has been established at the Kyoto University Young Researcher Development Center. At the primary screening, a committee of specialists (under the Council) from their respective academic fields will examine application documents, focusing on academic achievements. Next, at the secondary screening, the Hakuraku Council under the Kyoto University Young Researcher Development Center will conduct interviews (in either Japanese or English). In addition to applicants’ academic achievements, the Council will evaluate their potential to become leading figures in the future global academic community. Next, the Steering Committee of the Kyoto University Young Researcher Development Center (responsible for the management and organization of the Center) will make the final decision as to who is accepted as Hakubi researcher. When deemed to be relevant, interviews may be carried out by the President of Kyoto University or other individuals during the screening process.

11.Results of Screening

Results of the primary screening will only be notified to those selected for the interview.

12．Documents to Submit

• Proposal for Kyoto University Hakubi Project to Foster and Support Young Researchers 
• Guidelines for Preparing a “Proposal for Kyoto University Hakubi Project to Foster and Support Young Researchers” 
• List of Academic Achievements 
• Applicant Data for Registration 

13．Deadline

Applications must be received no later than 12:00 (midday Japan time), Thursday, June 24, 2010

14．Submissions should be e-mailed to the following:

Planning Manager, Research Promotion Division, Kyoto University

E-mail: hakubi%mail.adm.kyoto-u.ac.jp (Please replace the % with @.)
Type “Application for Hakubi Project,” in the subject box and attach your [1] Proposal for Kyoto University Hakubi Project to Foster and Support Young Researchers and [2] List of Academic Achievements as separate PDF files, along with the Applicant Data for Registration as an Excel file.
An e-mail will be sent in approximately one week, confirming your submission.

15．Contact Information

To obtain further information, please contact us either by e-mail or facsimile. Inquiries will not be accepted by phone.

Planning Manager, Research Promotion Division, Kyoto University
E-mail: hakubi%mail.adm.kyoto-u.ac.jp (Please replace the % with @.)
FAX: +81-75-753-2042

16．Note

• Supplementary Explanation of the Call for Researcher Applications 
• List of Categories, Areas, Disciplines and Research Fields 
• Regarding the “Call for Researcher Applicants” and “Supplementary Explanation” 

Personal information contained in the application documents will be used solely for the purpose of screening applicants, and never for any other purpose.
Expenses needed to apply for this project (including but not limited to expenses of document preparation and travel expenses incurred in attending interviews) shall be borne by applicants.
Kyoto University supports a gender-equal society. We hope that many female researchers will apply for the Hakubi Project.

17. Others (Reference) Data of applicants in 2009

Number of applicants	Number of successful applicants	Competition rate
588	18	32.7 times

	Number of applicants	Percentages	Number of successful applicants	Percentages
Male:Female	458名：130名	77.9%：22.1%	14：4	77.8%：22.2%
Arts:Sciences	196：392	33.3%：66.7%	6：12	33.3%：66.7%
Kyoto U Affiliate: Others	226：362	38.4%：61.6%	8：10	44.4%：55.6%
Address Japan: Other Countries	476：112	81.0%：19.0%	15：3	83.3%：16.7%
Associate Prof.: Assistant Prof.	180：408	30.6%：69.4%	7：11	38.9%：61.1%
Average age (Associate Prof.) Average age (Assistant Prof.)	－	－	36.9	－
	－	－	30.2	－

* Classifications based on the proposals written by applicants

（Reference）Schedule

• Friday, April 23 Call for Applications Begins
• Thursday June 24 Deadline for Applications
• July Committee of Specialists Meets
• August – September Hakuraku Council and Steering Committee Meets
• Late September – Early October Announcement of Appointment