Recruitment - 3rd batch (2011)

Recruit information

※The 3th period (2011) 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 2011 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.
【Reference】Research field

3. Eligibility

Researchers with a doctorate degree (or equivalent research abilities). All nationalities are accepted.

4. Employment

Up to 20 applicants will be appointed as program-specific faculty members (associate professor or assistant professor with an annual salary).
In principle, the term of appointment will begin on April 1, 2012. The term can be adjusted, however, according to the requirements of individual researchers.

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. 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.

9. Screening Method

• Primary screening:
  A committee of specialists at the Kyoto University Young Researcher Development Center from their respective academic fields will examine application documents, focusing on academic achievements.
• 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. Interviewers may include the President of Kyoto University or other individuals of similar standing and may be conducted in English and/or Japanese.
• Third screening:
  The Steering Committee of the Kyoto University Young Researcher Development Center will make the final decision as to who is accepted as Hakubi researcher, considering the results of interviews held by the Hakuraku Council, etc.

10. Results of Screening

Results of the screening will be notified to all applicants by e-mail. Please note that information on the process of the screening and reasons for pass/fail will not be provided.

11. To Apply

Register the applicant’s information using the form available on the website below, and send in a proposal for the Kyoto University Hakubi Project to Foster and Support Young Researchers by e-mail. Applications are accepted only after both the registration form and e-mail with the proposal have been received. Please note that both conditions must be fulfilled for evaluations to be made.

12. Documents to Submit

Proposal
【Reference】 Guidelines for Preparing a proposal

13. Deadline

We must receive all necessary documents (website registration and e-mail with proposal) by the following:

13:00 (Japan time), Thursday May 26, 2011

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

Proposals should be sent in the form of PDF file to the following e-mail address:

Kyoto University Young Researcher Development Center
E-mail: hakubi*mail.adm.kyoto-u.ac.jp (Please replace “*” with “@”.)

* Type your name AND “Application for Hakubi Project” in the subject box of the E-mail.
* An e-mail will be sent out approximately one week after the application deadline, confirming your submission.

15. Hakubi Application Information Meeting

Meetings providing information on the Hakubi Project will be held as detailed below. Send an e-mail to register your participation to the e-mail address also below, including your name, affiliation, position and telephone number. We must receive it at the latest, one day before each meeting, respectively.

E-mail address for registration: hakubi*mail.adm.kyoto-u.ac.jp (Please replace “*” with “@”)

[Explanation Meeting in Kyoto]

• Date and Hour: 18:00~, Friday, April 15, 2011
• Place: Kyoto University Clock Tower International Conference Hall III
  http://www.kyoto-u.ac.jp/en/clocktower/

[Explanation Meeting in Tokyo]

• Date and Hour: 18:00~, Tuesday, April 19, 2011
• Place: The Kyoto University Tokyo Office Conference Room 2, 3
  http://www.kyoto-u.ac.jp/ja/tokyo-office

16. Contact Information

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

Kyoto University Young Researcher Development Center
hakubi*mail.adm.kyoto-u.ac.jp (Please replace “*” with “@”.)
FAX：+81-75-753-5310

17. Note

• 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 for document preparation and travel expenses incurred in attending interviews) shall be borne by applicants.
• If you have any further questions regarding this application procedure, please refer to the FAQ pages.
  【Reference】 FAQ
• Kyoto University supports a gender-equal society. We hope that many female researchers will apply for the Hakubi Project.

[Data of applicants in 2010]

Number of applicants	Number of successful applicants	Competition rate
517	19	27.2 times

	Number of applicants	Percentages	Number of successful applicants	Percentages
Male: Female	421： 96	81.4%：18.6%	17： 2	89.5%：10.5%
Arts: Sciences	141：376	27.3%：72.7%	6：13	31.6%：68.4%
Kyoto U Affiliate: Others	183：334	35.4%：64.6%	10： 9	52.6%：47.4%
Address Japan: Other Countries	411：106	79.5%：20.5%	16： 3	84.2%：15.8%
Associate Prof.: Assistant Prof.	167：350	32.3%：67.7%	7：12	36.8%：63.2%
Average age (Associate Prof.)	–	–	33.0 years old	–
Average age (Assistant Prof.)	–	–	29.7 years old	–

* Classifications based on the proposals written by applicants.